Tuesday 20th- Wednesday 21st October 2026
Rome to Seoul
Tuesday and Wednesday seemed to meld into one day as I reflected at 300am in Seoul in a completely different time zone.
Tuesday began with the Italian coffee and cake breakfast before stowing our luggage and attempting to revisit Rome in a day on foot.
Starting the day with a 120 steep set of stairs to set the scene for a day of 25000 steps. We headed to Janiculum Park which provides an amazing vista over Rome. Seems a lot of like minded tourists had the same idea as we jostled for a spot along the rail.
The park had some sentimental connection as we skirted its edge when completing the Via Francegina back in 2012
There continues to be a strong military presence in major cities we have visited which suggests the threat of terrorism hasn’t waned.
Off the hill we wandered back through Travestere’s main square, grabbed a porchetta roll for later , then wandered along the Tiber heading for the Vatican.
As with the last time we visited the square was awash with people all either jostling for a photo, being hauled along in a tour group or joining the conga line to visit the church.
We reflected on that 2012 visit when Jane got to go into the heart of the Vatican and have her Camino Credential signed.
We worked our way up past the Pantheon where the line to get a ticket was 300 metres long and continued on our sentimental journey to Piazza Navona to find the little ‘ eat what we are cooking today’ restaurant for lunch.
Other than a proper menu it was still a 20 odd seat restaurant with a line out the door where you often shared a table with other customers – like we did. The same family ran it albeit qa different generation. The food was good, as was the price and the ‘fine wine’ only came in red or white- don’t ask what variety. Had a nice chat with owner before embarking on the grand circuit. Victor Emanuel , Trevi Fountain ( you now pay for a ringside seat) Forum, Colusseum where the lead up road is being relaid in cobbles to retain authenticity.
All of these places were a mass of humanity and probably a pickpockets dream.
The last port of call was Circus Maximus which was deserted as it was being set up for Nov 4 – Italian Unification Day ceremonies. As we we passing a couple of helicopters dropped in for reasons unknown.
A final visit to Trastavere Square for a Limoncello spritz and a gelato before collecting the bags and retracing our steps to the airport.
With a fast track pass we were soon up in the lounge enjoying the amenities. It included a warm up for our new double shower at home when lounge staff suggested ‘ things would be quicker if you shared a cubicle’. A tight fit but it all worked out and we were soon on a brand new plane headed for Incheon.
They had us fed and watered quickly and we were soon in the sleeping clothes and waking up at an hour only the revised time zone clock knew for another feed which was breakfast some time in the afternoon.
Incheon airport is huge and in typical Asian manner efficient. Watches co-ordinated and it was 509pm when we jumped in the limousine bus headed for Seoul, not without a trip around airport trying to find ticket machines.
Announcement said ride would be 1 hour 20 unless there was delays.
The road system on the way in was sensational and it had to be given the volume of traffic .
In the way in we passed a huge area where they were doing tank manoeuvres – must take that threat from the
North seriously.
Two hours later we were hopping off in Seoul. What an amazing city dominated by high rises, grid locked traffic and every second shop selling food.
Finding hotel was a chore which had us going underground several times to cross busy roads . Navigation was hard using Google Maps as locals want you using their App.
Finally found the hotel to be welcomed by a confounded staff member named Daniel Lee – I had finally found my roots.
Up to 10th floor in a very technically focussed room which had everything from a fridge, clothes press washing machine and a bathroom where you just closed the door to use toilet and shower.
Found a Korean BBQ, which was hardly a difficult chore, before heading home to try and get a sleep routine started.
