Katie+Diary++Entries

= = Day 1 On arrival in Roma we went to the hotel first to check in. The staff in the hotel understood most simple English; hello, how are you? i need help, stuff like that, but I purchesed Italian/English dictionairies at the airport just in case i get lost or stuck. After we were settled in i decided to look around in the area not far from our hotel. I look at shops,tasted some of the food and they have the most beautiful sceanery.

Day 2 I decided that instead of travelling to another part of the country, i would like to look at Rome first. I decided that the first place i would visit was Pompeii. As i am by myself i think i will take day tours. I found a Full Day tour 13 hours (approx.) and it departs from Rome, the tour takes me to the Naples and Pompeii. (cost AU$185.75)

The reason i chose to go to Pompeii is because I've done study on the city before and i think it is so aqmazing that the the remains and ruins of this ancient city was incasted in a thick layer of rock from a volcanic erouption. You can imagine the everyday life of the Imperial Age and imagine the panic felt by the people in those last few minutes before the city was so disastrously buried. This is photos of people who tried to hide from the thick smog but was in-cased in a thick Tar.

Day 5 I thought that i would take to take another day tour to look at the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel. To get on the tour but i have to depart from 5/a Via Farini, located off Via Cavour, Rome which is few minutes walking distance from Termini Railway Station. (cost AU$84.44)

We started off at Esquiline Hill where our guide showed us the treasures of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. We Continued by coach and stoped at the Holy Staircase, the Lateran Palace, the Basilica of San Giovanni and the cathedral of Rome (we went inside). Than we walked along the Ancient Appian Way and pass by the Chapel of Domine Quo Vadis before arriving at the Catacombs, the ancient underground cemeteries and first hiding places for the Christians. From there we got back on the bus and visited the Vatican Museum which was so beautiful.the Vatican Museums are a complex of different pontifical museums and galleries that began under the patronage of the popes Clement XIV and Pius VI in the late 1700's.

After that we vistited the Sistine Chapel which is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope, in theVatican City. The walls and ceiling are covered with paintings of angels and people. Day 7 I decided that today i would go on 3 hour walking tour around Ancient Rome. Im going to see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and then Pantheon.

Firstly we visited that Colosseum. It was fantastic i learnt that the Colosseum is a giant amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome. Originally capable of seating 45,000–50,000 spectators, it was used for Gladitorial contests and public spectacles. Then we visited the Roman Forum which was the central area around Ancient Rome, in whichcommerce and the administration of justice took place. The Trevi Fountain was spectacular!! the Panthionis a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets in the state religion of Ancient Rome. It is the best-preserved of all Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history. Although the identity of the Pantheon's primary architect remains uncertain, it is largely assigned toApollodorus of Damascus. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been a Christian church.

I have decided that im going to move from Rome to Venice. I have book a hotel and will be traveling by train in the morning.

Day 8 I am in Venice and I've decided that I am taking a tour of the towns of Veneto were i am going to look at Marostica, Bassano del Grappa, Asolo & Treviso. Marostica is known for its two beautiful Medieval castles and for the big chessboard on permanent display on its main square. Bassano del Grappa is symbolized by the famous Alpini bridge and links evidence from the Middle Ages with architecture from the Venetian period within the marvellous city walls that mark the urban development of the town that is of roman origin. Aslol is an enchanting little town placed on the top of a hill. It's considered the "pearl" of the Veneto. An Italian poet, Giosuè Carducci, described it as "the town of the one hundred horizons". Treviso is one of the prettiest and most convivial cities of Veneto Region and a "must see" if you are in the area. Here you can stroll the ancient streets and piazzas, and walk the river banks and canals in the midst of gardens and well kept villas and houses.

After spending another 3 days in Venice i returnded to Rome to reunite with the group. we then spenare going to spend to nights in Rome again before returning home.