Rome Day 2

The obligatory visit to the Colosseum began with running the gauntlet of touters, hustlers and bullshit-artists.

Once inside though, the awe-inspiring scene made the trip worthwhile. Two thousand years ago, in an arena that was laid over a labyrinth of holding bays and passageways, gladiators slaughtered gladiators, gladiators slaughtered animals and unpopular Christians were turned into martyrs.

We then walked around the evocative archaeological site that is the Roman Forum and the Palatino. Here Caesar copped it in the back and unmentionable things happened in the House of the Vestal Virgins.

We got to the top of the Venice Museum in Venice Square, via a vertiginous lift, to enjoy a stunning 360 degree view of the city.

We were very close to those grandiose statues of four-horse chariots that sit atop the building.

Last night we walked around looking for a recommended restaurant, only to find an abandoned, graffitied shutter where it once used to be.

The one we finally chose was stifling inside, so we ate on the terrace, at the foot of a dimly lit stone staircase where two young men sat drinking and smoking.

The veal scallopini in lemon sauce was brilliant.

Here are some pics of old stuff ....