What an amazing day

Today was a day filled with churches and art and history.  We took the  Skip the Line Full Day Vatican Tour

It was worth every penny.

We toured The Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in the morning and then the remaining 3 majors basilicas in the afternoon.

The art was simply amazing

My favorite in the Museum was the Map Room.  It was just unbelievable to think of how they created all of these maps without any modern equipment.  They really climbed to the highest point and recorded what they saw then came back and painted. Fun fact here, the gold leaf paint is not the most expensive paint in these paintings.  It is the blue, made from lapis that was just so expensive.  that is why the most important people in the painting wear blue.

Words can not even begin to describe the Sistine Chapel.  It is truly beyond anything I have ever seen.  Describing it and the 1 photo I snuck can not do this space justice at all.  It truly must be seen to be appreciated.

St. Peter’s was everything I had hoped it would be.  Amazingly vast, filled with art and history and the amazing Pieta.

In the afternoon we visited the remaining  important Basilicas of the Vatican: Santa Maria Maggiore, Saint John Lateran and St. Paul.  While I can not describe all of the sites I can say that it was such a wonderfully amazing afternoon.  Seeing these 3 basilicas, knowing that these are so important in the catholic faith, seeing the history, it was just breath taking.

2 highlights of the day were 1. touching all 4 holy doors for a special blessing and 2. seeing the holy stairs that were climbed by Christ before he was crucified.  I know that the special prayer I said on the stairs will be answered.

Tonight was a wonderful dinner near the Pantheon and now to bed to get ready for tomorrow’s adventures.

Photos are being uploaded

And the adventure begins

After starting the trip off with an unexpected hiccup we made it to Newark Airport and onto the plane.  I must say United’s international flights are very well done.  Plenty of leg room, at your seat entertainment, meal service and very nice flight attendants.  Our flight was perfect and an hour ahead of schedule.

Once we landed we made our way to the shuttle train to Milan Central train station.  Everyone on trip advisor was correct in saying to give yourself 2 hours to get there, even without checked luggage.

We opted for business class on the train to Rome.  The car was very quiet and they served drinks and snacks right at your seat.  The train ride was only 3 hours.  Once in Rome the hotel had a car pick us up and bring us to the hotel.

Our hotel is Le Clarisse de Pantheon right around the corner from the Pantheon.  it is a sweet little hotel for a great price.  The room is a good size for european standards and the staff is wonderful.

After a short nap we decided to go out and explore.  We went to visit the Pantheon which was wonderful.  Such beautiful architecture and art.  It is hard to believe just how old the building is.

Then we stumbled upon the Church of St. Louis of France.  A stunning church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  It is amazing the art that is just everywhere.

We strolled through the Plaza Navorona and watched the street performers, beggars and assorted others.  We even watched a couple dance the tango to a wonderful little street band.

We had dinner at the hotel restaurant and it was amazing.  My pizza was beyond good.  The proscuttio was out of this world.  I even indulged in a glass of wine with my dinner.  We turned in early tonight because we hit the Vatican running!