Arrived early Saturday, 25th. March 1995, Qantas QF115 from Tullamarine via Bangkok.

Luxurious, quiet and secluded. Within walking distance to the Spanish steps, wonderful shops, and the best coffee ! MTV on endlessly, and a balcony to watch pigeons overhead, and to listen for muted traffic.

Muted colours, muted sounds - even muted conversations, whether at the piano bar, in the lobby, or at breakfast.

We had a night tour of the fountains, the sights, and the city lights which included dinner sitting (and singing) with a happy friendly group from Portugal.

Sunday we joined a bus tour which included fountains, the Vatican , the sights and the traffic. Returning back via the park gave us our bearings, so we returned again the following day via rail and saw it all again.

And so close to everything ! Walking around it was easy to recognise the twin church domes in Piazza Del Popolo and find our way back down narrow streets with names we could not pronounce. So many wonderful little shops hidden away without garish signs, neon lights or billboards.

Polite staff, always helpful, interested and smiling.

Highly recommended.

Departed Wednesday afternoon, 29th. March - Air Alitalia AZ898 for Cairo.

How far is it ? - 1329 miles (2130km - 3h 20')