Vatican City



This morning we got up fairly early and cooked some breakfast in our apartment before heading out to visit the Vatican. Our first stop was to the Vatican museums which we had tickets for 11 AM. The Vatican museums contain statues and artwork of all kinds; we spent about three hours walking around and through the museum.








The tour ends with a visit to the Sistine Chapel, which is pretty spectacular. You’re not supposed to take pictures in the chapel, but we decided to take a picture of our faces… with the ceiling above us. 

After our museum visit, we headed to a small restaurant about a quarter mile away where Kristi and Jim had eaten during their last visit. The food was fantastic again. We spent a good while just enjoying the late lunch and the company. We even had dessert.







After lunch, we headed back to Vatican City and took some pictures in Saint Peter’s Square. We then hopped in a fairly short line to enter into the Basilica. It did rain while we were at lunch and a little bit while we were catching an Uber to the Vatican. Despite rain being predicted every day that we’re here in Italy, it has been very light with clearing between some sprinkling.

After getting through security, we spent about two hours walking through Saint Peter’s Basilica, and the tombs of the popes that are located underneath the basilica.








Marylou and Cliff in front of Michelangelo’s La Pieta.  





While in the Basilica there was a Rosary; this is the singing during the prayers. 

By the time we were done with our tour, the sun had set, and the Christmas tree was lit in Saint Peter‘s Square. It was pretty cool to see Christmas decorations and it was also the first time that Kristi and Jim had been at the Vatican at night time. The Basilica itself is very subtly lit which accentuates the windows and features of the building.



We were pretty beat from all the walking and site seeing that we had done today. None of us are spring chickens. 🤣 

From the Vatican, we caught another Uber that brought us back to our apartment. Before getting back to the apartment we popped in the grocery store again to buy a little bit of food that we’re going to eat tonight. We ended the day early. 

This is our neighborhood while in Rome. It’s fun be here in December with all the Christmas lights and decorations. 




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