🛳️Costa Toscana: Rome, Italy.

On Day 4 of my Mediterranean cruise aboard the Costa Toscana, we docked at the Port of Civitavecchia, Italy. I woke early to catch the breathtaking sunrise from my veranda before heading out for a full-day excursion to Rome.

🚍 Journey to Rome: A Rocky Start.

After breakfast, I disembarked on deck 3 and boarded a coach bound for Rome. Our onboard guide, though multilingual, struggled with clarity, often switching languages mid-sentence. A puzzling comfort break just 45 minutes into the journey caused delays, with five coachloads queuing for a single toilet.

🏛️ Rome Guided Tour Highlights.

Upon arrival, we met our local guide, Michael, an articulate and knowledgeable host. He led us through the coach portion of the tour, showcasing:

• The Colosseum.
• Circo Massimo.
• Castel Sant'Angelo.
• The Vatican and St. Peter’s Square.

Michael’s insights were occasionally interrupted by our onboard guide’s loud phone calls, which he eventually asked her to stop.

🛍️ Souvenirs and Lunch in Rome.

We had time to shop near Vatican Square, where I picked up a stylish hoodie for just €20. Lunch was served at a local restaurant I’d visited back in 2013 with my friend Paul Dunne—Peperoncino. Despite being closed that night, they had once served us pizza and beer with warm hospitality. This time, lunch featured a classic Spanish-style menu: pasta, chicken, dessert, and wine.

🚶‍➡️ Walking Tour: Spanish Steps to Trevi Fountain.

The second half of our tour included:

• Church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti.
• 🔗Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna.
• Fontana della Barcaccia.
• Piazza Navona.
• 🔗Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi.
• 🔗Pantheon of Agrippa.
• 🔗Fontana di Trevi.

We ended near the Supreme Court of Cassation before returning to the ship.

Photos: Rome.

While docked in Civitavecchia aboard the Costa Toscana, I took a day trip into the heart of Rome, a city where every corner tells a story. From ancient ruins to vibrant piazzas, these photos reflect the timeless beauty and layered history of Italy’s capital. Join me on this visual stroll through Rome’s unforgettable streets, captured in a single, sunlit day.

Click on any image to see a larger version of the image with a description.

• St Peter's Basilica towers over the skyline of Rome. This view is from a bridge over the Tiber River next to the Palace of Justice.

  St Peter's Basilica towers over the skyline of Rome.
• The Fountain of Neptune in Piazza Navona, Rome.

  The Fountain of Neptune in Piazza Navona, Rome.
• The Fountain of Four Rivers in the Piazza Navona in Rome.

  The Fountain of Four Rivers in the Piazza Navona in Rome.
• The Agonale Obelisk towers above the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona, Rome.

  The Agonale Obelisk above the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
• The Pantheon in Rome.

  The Pantheon in Rome.
• The Trevi Fountain in Rome.

  The Trevi Fountain in Rome.
• The Spanish Embassy in Rome gave its name to the Spanish Steps, as they are located opposite the embassy.

  The Spanish Embassy in Rome.
• The Column of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza Mignanelli near the Spanish Steps in Rome.

  The Column of the Immaculate Conception.
• A busy cobblestone street in the centre of Rome.

  Cobblestone street in the centre of Rome.
• With cars parked on the pavement on either side of the cobblestone street in the centre of Rome, there was no room for pedestrians, and they had to walk on the road.

  Cobblestone street in the centre of Rome.
• Road leading to the Fontana di Esculapio, in front of an arch with a golden eagle near the Villa Borghese.

  Road leading to the Fontana di Esculapio.
• A tree lined street in Rome.

  A tree lined street in Rome.
• Steep steps next to the restaurant where we had lunch.

  Steep steps in Rome.
• People climbing the Spanish Steps in Rome.

  People climbing the Spanish Steps in Rome.
• The Trinità dei Monti church at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome.

  The Trinità dei Monti church, Rome.
• Alan Morris on the Spanish Steps in front of the Trinità dei Monti church in Rome.

  Alan Morris on the Spanish Steps.
• Alan Morris in St Peter's Square, in front of the Vatican,  Rome.

  Alan Morris in St Peters Square,.
• Maderno fountain in St Peter's Square in front of the Vatican, Rome.

  Maderno fountain in St Peter's Square
• The Castel Sant'Angelo next to the Tiber River in Rome.

  The Castel Sant'Angelo
• The monument to the first emperor of Rome, Vittorio Emanuele II rises above the Rome skyline.

  Monument to the first emperor of Rome, Vittorio Emanuele II rises above the Rome.
• Circus Maximus in Rome.

  Circus Maximus in Rome.
• The Vatican Obelisk in Vatican Square.

  Vatican Obelisk.
• The Vatican Square in front of St Peter's Basilica.

  Vatican Square in front of St Peter's Basilica.
• Alan Morris in the Vatican Square.

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While Michael earned a well-deserved tip, our onboard guide did not. Her disorganised approach — from faulty radios to missing pens — left much to be desired. I made sure to reflect this in the feedback app.

🎭 Evening Onboard & Final Thoughts

Back on the Costa Toscana, I enjoyed dinner with Susan, Bryan, Linda, and Michael, followed by live music. I turned in around 11:30 pm, nursing a swollen leg with a few pain-killing cocktails.