***Serena***
Two hours later we are midway through our journey to the centre of Rome, motoring pleasantly up the Tiber River.
After passing through some rather rural areas, the scenery has taken on a more built-up appearance as we begin to enter the outskirts of Rome.
"I have not been to Rome since I was ten years old, as part of an official visit to the Vatican with my parents," James tells me, having elected to do the steering.
"I went when I was fifteen, but we didn't have time to go inside St Peter's Basilica," I tell him with a little frown, "it was a regret of mine, as I heard it is pretty unforgettable."
James grins at me from under his baseball cap.
"Oh, well we will be going in this time. It really is simply one of the most breathtaking sights, walking in for the first time.
