By our last day in Rome, we were pretty museum and ruined out, and a change of pace to the 'countryside' was exactly what the doctor ordered. Adrian had wanted to go to Cassino on our way up to Rome from Naples, but we ended up doing it as a day trip.
Cassino is a town half way between Rome and Naples and was the sight of a rather large battle during WWII. It is the home of the order of St Benedict and is home to a beautiful Abbey high up on the hill. Our timing was a bit unfortunate (there was a bus up the hill to the Abbey at 9.30 and 3.30 - we got there at 11am), but it meant a few hours of enforced relaxation in the local park. It's a hard life.
Once we were sick of that (well, once Adrian woke me up), we walked down the road to the Commonwealth WWII cemetery. The Battle of Monte Cassino incurred heavy losses for NZ and Polish troops and it was sobering to see all the graves and list of names. The fact that the vast majority of them hadn't even reached their 30s hit home too. The war museum was unfortunately shut, Saturdays being to Cassino what Monday seems to be to the rest of Italy.
The Abbey was a whole other world. I (Amelia) could totally see the charms of a monastic life while you were perched up there on the hill - it was so peaceful and serene. Having to walk around it in Adrian's shorts and jersey didn't add to the experience however, I must remember to always pack 'church appropriate clothing' just in case. (It was worth it just to see Adrian's hairy legs poking out the bottom of my short skirt).
Adrian checked out the Polish cemetery up on the hill. The ages were a bit different, mostly in their 30s.
All in all, a successful day trip and definitely worth a stop on the way up to/away from Rome if you're ever in the neighbourhood. Just don't go on a Saturday!
Next stop: Florence!
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