WHAT DID ROME DO FOR US?

In October a select group of A Level RS specialists, accompanied by BJE and AJW, made a cultural pilgrimage to the Eternal City– the city at the heart of Western history and Western religious development.

It was a whistle-stop tour, cramming more than two thousand years into three days – but then Reptonians are renowned for their timemanagement skills…

Day One saw the group hitting the major sites of the ancient city. The Colosseum is the ultimate icon of classical Rome and a place where, alongside the excitement of gladiatorial combat, thousands of criminals, including the early Christians, met grisly deaths. We had an altogether happier experience, wandering round drinking in the history and listening to music. From there it was a short stroll to the Forum, the heart of the Empire, filled with monuments from the earliest days of the city and redolent of its pagan past – ironically, much of it preserved by being converted into Christian churches. And then there was more to come with time on and around the Spanish Steps and dinner near the Trevi Fountain. A lot of art, architecture and history in one day!

The next day we made like locals (for Louis 'de France’ that meant wearing his ubiquitous shades) and took the bus and train out to Ostia Antica, the port of ancient Rome and a site where the sheer quantity of archaeological remains really conjure up the atmosphere of a bustling Roman town. Next up was the remarkable Basilica San Clemente where you can literally pass through the different levels of Rome’s history: from the exquisite 12th-century church at street level down past the world-famous medieval frescos of its 4th-century predecessor to a Roman Mithraic temple dating from the 1st century. Only five minutes from the Colosseum but a treasure overlooked by many: see it if you can.

Food was, of course, a key element in our enjoyment of the trip. Sales of Pasta Carbonara in Rome shot through the roof during the group’s visit, and the fabulous gelati were a regular feature. We also had a few brushes with the livelier aspects of a busy tourist destination: enthusiastic restaurant managers trying to lure us into their establishments, Father Adam’s friendly nature leaving Ms Eades constantly worrying about him getting scammed, the challenge of haggling for souvenirs when one doesn’t speak Italian, and a meal al fresco with city trams hurtling just a few feet away. But it’s all part of the pleasure of travel, and we managed to capture some of the spirit of Rome on the four film cameras that travelled with us!

A MEAL AL FRESCO WITH CITY TRAMS HURTLING JUST A FEW FEET AWAY.

Our final morning was the highlight of the Vatican City and St Peter’s: stunning architecture and remarkable art treasures, but, above all, just an amazing experience to stand in a place which has been the centre of such much theological debate and church history. And for Choir members, of course, the chance to scope out performance venues for the Easter tour.

The itinerary may have been packed with site-seeing, but we still had plenty of opportunities to absorb the atmosphere of this remarkable city and enjoy its colour and character as much as its history. Our thanks to BJE and AJW not only for organising a great trip but also proving such excellent company.