April 10th: All Roads Lead to Rome

From Pisa to Rome was a fairly easy 230 miles of motorway, a picturesque run through the rolling countryside of central Italy, past farms, vineyards and hilltop villages.
The campsite is located on the side of our approach to Rome, so not too much manic city traffic for Jane to cope with (she was towing). Camping Tiber is, well… on the Tiber, and we found a peaceful pitch overlooking the river.
A free shuttle bus runs from the site to the local station from where the frequent trains take 20 minutes into the centre of Rome. An open ticket for a week using train, bus or metro, costs just 16 Euros per person. Make as many journeys as you like: it is amazing value. UK tourist industry, please take note.
So now into Rome itself: out of the metro, round the corner, and into the Piazza di Spagna, better known to us as the Spanish Steps. The connection with Spain is because the Spanish Embassy is located in the square. Our little group (Paul, Trish and Jane) is huddled together between the bottom of the steps and the fountain.

A little further along and we’re at the beautiful Fontana di Trevi, made even more famous by the song ”Three Coins in the Fountain” from the 50’s film La Dolce Vita. Shows your age if you remember it! So you throw coins in and make a wish. The authorities hoover out all the coins once a week and send them to charity: an astonishing average of about 1,500 euros A DAY.
Lire coins, Italy’s currency before the euro, contained ferrous ingredients that could be magnetised, and it was revealed in 2002 that a tramp called D’Artagnan had been using a magnet to pull out large sums every night for many years. Euros are not magnetic, so his harvesting stopped and he then presumably confessed.

But now culture takes a back seat as we head for another of Italy’s treats, the gelateria, or ice-cream parlour. The ices come in many different flavours, in a variety of cones or tubs, beautifully presented, and not cheap- but they do taste good. Look at this display of cones, as good as any artistic flower arrangement.

We’re back on the streets again, and come across a charming elephant sculpture. It was designed by Bernini and unveiled in 1667 for the glorification of the Pope. Bernini designed St Peter’s Square amongst other noteworthy architectural creations, none of which could be described as a white elephant.

And so it’s goodnight from Rome on Day One.