All "cultured" out!

Today has been a mind boggling cultural overload. We went on a 3.5 hour walking tour in the Vatican. You could spend months there! It's incredible how much there is to see.

The tour was advertised this way: "Enjoy a complete tour of the Vatican and go beyond the expected, gaining deeper insight into its countless artistic and architectural treasures. See the best of the Vatican Museums—from the Sistine Chapel to the Raphael Rooms and the Belvedere Courtyard—and explore St. Peter’s Basilica, home to Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s Baldachin. Avoid often hours-long lines with skip-the-line access at both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica."

We did enjoy it, our PhD qualified guide was very passionate about her work. Unfortunately we didn't see the very famous Piéta sculpture, it was hidden from view. That area of the Basilica was partitioned off only on Monday for work on replacing the glass wall that protects it. Apparently it will stay out of sight until September!

Cameras are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel but it blows the mind to realise how Michelangelo could achieve what he did. The frescoes are amazing. The chapel was packed full of people you could hardly move.

In the evening we went on a one hour bus ride to see some of the sights at night. It was dusk still when we started but dark by the end. Buses aren't allowed in all the tourist areas but we still enjoyed the night tour.もっと詳しく