Day 3 (Renaissance Rome)
"We'll spend much of the day on the other side of the river Tiber, where the Vatican City beckons. We'll see the treasures of the Vatican Museum, including the sublime Sistine Chapel, and the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica, with Michelangelo's moving Pietà and Bernini's amazing, seven-story bronze canopy. You'll have free time to explore the crypt or climb the dome for a fantastic vista. We'll meet in the early evening for dinner and a la dolce vita stroll (stopping to throw a few coins in the magical Trevi Fountain), as we enjoy the evening excitement that surrounds the Campo de' Fiori and Piazza Navona."
We are in the Vatican!!
Laocoon
School of Athens
Started our day again by taking a ride on the Metro. Today was not nearly as bad as yesterday as we rode on the A line instead of the B line. There was plenty of room. Rode to the Ottaviano-San Pietro stop. Had a nice little walk to the entrance to the Vatican Museum where we met our local guide for the day, Sonya.
For me the Vatican Museum didn't do much for me. It was just overwhelming. Seemed like it would never end! But I have a few pictures above of some of the highlights.
While we were in the museum Cecilia told us she got a call from the hotel that our luggage had arrived. YAY!!!
Finally we got out of the museum and entered the Sistine Chapel. Wow! This was one of those "I am actually here!" moments.
The Final Judgement
Sistine Chapel Ceiling
After the Sistine Chapel we then made our way into St. Peter's Basilica. What a massive space it is. Everything about it is made to make you feel small! The fonts for the Holy Water are being held my cherub statues that are the size of a grown man!
St. Peter's Square
The Pieta'
Bernini's Canopy
Here is where the group tour ended for the day. Cammie and I stayed at St. Peter's and went down into the crypt. We saw among others the tomb of Pope John Paul II.
After leaving St. Peter's we took the metro back towards our hotel and had a quick bite of pizza and then went up to our room. We finally had our luggage and couldn't wait to change into some different clothes!!! We threw our clothes on the floor and they just stood up by themselves!
After changing we decided to start the Pilgrim's Rome Tour from the guidebook. First stop was the Church of San Giovanni in Laterno.
San Giovanni in Laterno
Skulls of St. Peter and St. Paul in San Giovanni
The next stop was at the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs). No pictures here as they were not allowed.
Next we go to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Very beautiful church. The big relic here is pieces of the manger.
Santa Maria Maggiore
One of the mosaics in Santa Maria Maggiore
Next stop on the tour is the Church of Santa Prassede. Very small and easy to miss church. But amazing to look at on the inside. Very beautiful mosaics.
The outside of Santa Prassede
Mosaic inside Santa Prassede
At this time it was getting too late to continue the Pilgrim's Walking Tour. The rest of the churches would be closed by the time we got there. So we stopped and had a Gelato (Yum!). Walked past the Colosseum at night.
It had started to rain so we decided to take a taxi to Camp de Fiori for supper. We decided upon having dinner at Saby's Ristorante Pizzeria and Grill. We had an appetizer of Bruschetta Pomodorro. Cammie had Pasta Arribiata and a Salad. I had Linguina di Fungi, Tomato Salad, and the house red wine.
After dinner it had stopped raining so we decided to do the "Night Walk Across Rome" tour from the guidebook. So off we go to explore! First up Campo de' Fiori and the statue of Giordano Bruno.
Campo de' Fiori
We then continued to Piazza Navona. Of course the Four Rivers Fountain was having some work done to it. You could view it through windows in the barricade but the water was not flowing.
Fountain in Piazza Navona
Four Rivers Fountain in Piazza Navona
Next was the Pantheon. Beautiful at night! Made a stop at Giolitti's for some gelato. The best of our trip and we tried A LOT of gelato!
The Pantheon at night
Next stop was the Trevi Fountain. This is a totally different fountain at night versus the day time. Tossed some coins to be sure we return to this magical city!
Ensuring our return at the Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain at night
Cammie on the Spanish Steps
After our last stop at the Spanish steps we decided to check out a suggestion in the guidebook about a McDonald's nearby that was very swanky (for a McDonald's anyway). Walked back to the hotel and I am pretty sure I was sleeping before my head hit the pillow!