Pete's 70th Birthday at The Hideaway- Pissouri

We were invited to Pete's 70th birthday celebrations at the Hideaway taverna in Pissouri square with his family and friends. We were served a lovely meze meal and entertained with some live music from Ben Mills.

The City of Rome and Colosseum

The following day  we made our way to the Colosseum, one of the most iconic landmarks of ancient Rome. Walking up to the massive stone structure was surreal—seeing it in photos is one thing, but standing before it was something else entirely. The worn stones and towering arches spoke of the centuries that had passed, a reminder of the might of the Roman Empire.

We’d booked a guided tour, and as we joined our group, the guide started to bring the ancient amphitheater to life. Through her stories, we could almost hear the cheers and roars that would have filled the stands as gladiators battled in the arena below. It was thrilling and chilling at the same time, thinking of the spectacles that would have taken place on the sandy floor, where prisoners, gladiators, and wild animals fought for survival.

Our guide took us to the various levels, explaining how the Colosseum had been meticulously designed to manage the crowds, with seating areas reserved according to rank and status. Mandy and I were amazed by the engineering marvels the Romans achieved without modern technology. Looking up at the sheer height of the walls and down at the reconstructed floor below, we felt awed by the ingenuity and scale of it all.

 

We then jumped on a hop on, Hop off bus to take a tour of the City's major attractions

Our first stop was the Vatican, and as we approached, we could feel the excitement building. St. Peter’s Square was everything we’d imagined—massive and awe-inspiring, with its impressive columns sweeping around the square in a grand embrace. The sight of St. Peter's Basilica in the distance was almost surreal, standing tall against the bright Roman sky.

We would have loved to go inside the Vatican, but the line stretched for several hundred meters. People waited in the warm sun, and though we knew it would be incredible, we decided to pass on this visit. Instead, we took our time wandering around St. Peter’s Square, admiring the architecture, the fountains, and the people gathered there from all over the world. It felt like the true heart of the city, a place where centuries of history mingled with the vibrant present.

Our next stop was the Basilica of Santa Maria, a stunning 16th-century church that truly took us by surprise. From the outside, it looked simple—almost unassuming—with a small entrance that didn’t prepare us for what lay inside. But as we stepped through the doors, we found ourselves in a vast, awe-inspiring space. The church was beautifully decorated with intricate artwork, its walls adorned with frescoes, and marble statues of saints stood in silent grandeur.

We wandered slowly through the aisles, taking in the rich details. The high, arched ceilings soared above us, and Mandy was captivated by the golden decorations around the altar. Each corner of the church seemed to reveal new statues, each one unique, and we couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence as we took it all in.

We finished the day exploring the area around Repubblica, a bustling square dominated by the grand Fountain of the Naiads. The fountain was stunning, with its dramatic sculptures of water nymphs set against the backdrop of elegant buildings. From there, we took our time strolling down Via Nazionale, one of Rome’s main shopping streets.

The atmosphere was lively and charged with energy as we soon realized why— the Rome Marathon had just finished! Runners, spectators, and volunteers filled the streets, celebrating with cheers and laughter. It was infectious, and Mandy and I couldn’t help but feel part of the event, clapping as we watched the runners, some draped in medals and others proudly holding their finishers’ towels.

As we walked down Nazionale, the street’s mix of elegant shops, bustling cafes, and historical buildings was fascinating.

Game day - Italy v Wales

We made our was to the Stadio Olimpico for the six nation rugby game between Italy and Wales, just outside the stadium the was the "Peroni tented village" where there was a terrific pre match atmosphere with live bands, performing acts and a huge variety of costumes worn by both sets of fans.

On the day of the match, we made our way to the fan zone outside the stadium. The energy was palpable, a lively buzz filling the air as fans from both sides gathered in their colors, proudly wearing scarves, jerseys, and hats. Welsh supporters were singing, their voices carrying across the grounds, while Italian fans waved their flags and mingled in friendly banter. It felt as if the entire city was wrapped in excitement for this game.

Mandy and I were swept up in the festivities. We walked around, taking in the stalls selling everything from Italian street food to rugby gear. We couldn’t resist trying some fresh arancini and, of course, gelato to keep us going. The mix of Italian flavors and the thrill of game day made it all the more special.

As the crowd grew, chants filled the air. The Welsh supporters, in true form, launched into renditions of their favorite rugby songs, proudly singing “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” in full voice. Italian fans responded with equal passion, and the spirited exchanges made everyone smile and laugh. Even as rivals, the camaraderie was incredible.

From the moment we approached the stadium, the atmosphere was electric. Italian fans were decked out in blue jerseys, waving flags and chanting with infectious enthusiasm. Welsh fans, as passionate as ever, were a sea of red, creating an incredible contrast that turned the stadium into a lively mix of colors and camaraderie. The energy of the crowd was almost tangible, and we felt ourselves swept up in the excitement even before we’d taken our seats.

Inside, the air was thick with anticipation. Around us, fans were buzzing, chatting animatedly about the game, and cheering in bursts whenever the Italian players warmed up on the field. As the teams walked out, the roar of the crowd was deafening—both the Italians and Welsh fans were united in their love of the game, and the sound of thousands of voices filled the stadium in a way that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Mandy nudged me, and I could tell she felt it too.

The game itself was intense, with every tackle and pass keeping us on the edge of our seats. When Italy gained ground, the home crowd erupted in cheers, horns blaring and flags waving wildly. Welsh fans countered with their own chants, creating a spirited back-and-forth that felt like a battle of its own. Even those who weren’t particularly rugby fans couldn’t help but get drawn into the passion and pride surrounding us.

We then made our way up to our seats in the stadium and watched a highly entertaining game in which Wales ran out winners by 61 points to 20.

 

We then made our way back into the City to watch the England v France game in the Druids rock pub. The pub was already buzzing by the time we arrived—and we quickly realized that it was packed with Welsh fans! The sea of red shirts and the unmistakable Welsh accents created a festive, almost theatrical atmosphere. Mandy and I found a spot among the throngs of fans, and soon enough, we were swept up in the excitement

Flying into Rome 2015

 We  finally did fly out of Paphos after a 4 hour delay and made the 2 hour 50 minute flight into Rome.

We hopped on the airport bus and made our way into the heart of the Eternal City, even from the bus window you could see numerous historical buildings.

Our base for our visit was the Giglio del Opera hotel which is situated near the central terminal. The main reason for our visit was that years six Nations match between Italy and Wales, and so were joined by 10 Welsh friends from Cyprus and Wales.

Even though we were several hours late for our reservation, we were pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome from the staff. The restaurant was bustling, filled with the lively sounds of conversation and laughter, which added to the vibrant atmosphere we had imagined. We were immediately shown to our table, and it felt like we were part of something special, sharing in the dining experience of locals and fellow travelers alike.

 

 

Will we make it out ?

There are  nine of us due to fly out to Rome (Italy) this morning for the Six nations rugby match between Italy and Wales but we have learned that the Italian Air Traffic controllers are going on strike today at Noon. At the time of writing we think our flight is still scheduled but we have fingers crossed and we travel in hope.

St Patricks Day

St Patricks day was spent at the O'Vraka restaurant in the Village square where Harris put on a superb bbq and we sunk a couple of pints Guiness.

Storms in Pissouri and a Village Website

This weekend a huge rain and hail storm hit Pissouri and sent a torrent of water through the village square.


For anyone interested in learning more about Pissouri, please check out Pissouri Village and Bay