Day 10... The Vatican and The Coliseum

After a good night's rest we headed out for a VERY busy day in Rome. We soon realized that our busy schedule would fit right in with the pace of the city. It is hectic- everywhere! It didn't matter if we were riding on the bus dodging crazy drivers, walking through the side streets or at a beautiful monument... there were people EVERYWHERE and they moved quickly. Our first stop... The Vatican.

This was a very interesting tour. Even though I am not a Catholic, I can appreciate how this is the center of Catholicism and a sacred place. And beyond that, it is beautiful and historically significant. We followed our tour guide through the endless halls and displays.

Entrance to the Vatican Museum

And of course, we spent some time in the Sistine Chapel. They try to enforce a low level of chatter when people are in there but it is difficult. However, despite the level of noise and the shoulder-to-shoulder people, you can't help but be in awe of it all. To sit and think of the people that painted it, worshiped there and walked through that chapel. It truly is amazing. (No photos allowed.)

Then we went to St. Peter's Basilica. There just aren't words to describe this place... opulent, amazing, beautiful... they just don't cut it. And our pictures don't do it justice either.

"The Pieta" by Michelangelo depicts Mary holding Jesus after His death.

 

We walked around and each corner held a new statue. mosaic or sculpture. Also we saw something rare... the body of Pope John Paul. He was there because just days before our visit they had held the Beatification Ceremony as part of making him a Saint.

Swiss Guards that protect The Pope.

Outside the Vatican, set up for a Papal address.

The famous chimney where the smoke appears during the appointment of a new Pope. Black smoke means no decision yet and white means a new Pope has been chosen.

 After some free time to eat lunch and roam around, we loaded on the bus and headed to a must-do in Rome... The Coliseum and The Roman Forum. As you walked up to The Coliseum, you are impressed by its size. You are even more impressed when you remember that it is smaller now that it was during its day. It really is amazing. Before we entered, we did something that we would only do this once during our trip and I am so glad we did... we got a group picture of our tour group!!!

We toured The Coliseum and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The labyrinth where the animals were kept.

And then we headed over to The Roman Forum.

Then we headed to the hotel for a quick change and we were back out for our evening outing. Like Burano in Venice, this outing was kind of a last minute addition that we knew little about. We just didn't want to have to kill time and find dinner on our own! Also like Burano, we were SO glad we did this outing and it took us to places we might not have go to otherwise. Our first stop was Castel Gandolfo, a small town about 20 miles outside of Rome. This is more famously known as the location of the summer home of the Pope.

Walls of the city.

The city center is where the Papal Palace is and it was very nice. The town itself is very quaint and small. It is also home to the oldest post office box in the world!!

World's oldest postal box.

Papal Palace

But the true gem of this town is the view. It was a hike, but so worth it as you approach a breath-taking view of Lake Albano.

It is a volcanic crater and just gorgeous. We all commented about how we could have stayed there all evening. However, from our vantage point, we could also see our final destination for the evening, a little town of Frascati.

Frascati can be seen over my shoulder.

After some free time, we gathered on the bus for a short bus ride to Frascati and then a walk to the restaurant- Cantina Il Pergolato. This place was EXACTLY what I picture a typical Italian restaurant to look like. In fact, I think this place is what Macaroni Grille and The Olive Garden are TRYING to be.

We sat in the basement of the restaurant. It had stone walls, low light and long, family-style tables. The bread and wine was free flowing all night. It was a very loud place which added to the festive Italian mood. We were entertained by an accordion player and a woman with an amazing operatic Soprano voice. There was lots of clapping and laughing as we enjoyed our 4 course dinner.

It was the kind of dinner that left your stuffed with food and exhausted from the atmosphere. As we walked back to the bus, delirious from all the food, we couldn't resist stopping at a local gelato shop for dessert. When in Rome, right??