Monte Viminale

Let me start off by saying that after today our feet are aching! We haven't used the bus or tram once while here , just walking and discovering Rome's streets. We waked about 75 minutes this morning to the Vatican City. Hard to believe it is it's own country , the smallest in the world , entirely within the city of Rome. We started our tour in the Vatican museum which is incredible. It took us about 2 hours and we didn't even stop and look at probably half of the exhibits. There is just so many collections. Once you have toured there you enter the Sistine Chapel. It is a place of silence. They ask you to stand in the middle of the room to get the best view of the masterpieces that cover the ceilings and walls . Photos are not allowed. Words cannot describe what we saw and it is a memory I will never forget. From there we lined up to go into St Peter's Basilica. Our timing was perfect. We waited about 20 min and when we looked back before we passed through the metal detectors the line was snaked around the grounds of the square. Easily a 90min to 2 hour wait in the hot sun. Inside the Basilica it will take your breath away. It is beyond words. The detail , the sculptures, the ceilings.. honestly you must see it in your lifetime. It's beyond anything I can explain or describe. Your eyes don't know where to look and there are so many alcoves and separate chapels. We lined up to pass by the bronze statue of St Peter . The right foot has been worn down by centuries of people who traditionally touch the feet of the statue. Being inside the Basilica, I have changed my mind and can say I have never been in a more beautiful place! From the Vatican we headed back to cover a few sights we hadn't seen. We went to Castel Sant Angelo , crossed the bridge and went to Piazza Navona. From there we went to see the Pantheon. It was well passed lunch time so we decided hmmm we are in Rome let's just get some gelato 🍧!😊. We stopped to briefly rest our tired feet then made our way back to our place. We took our bottle of wine from our host and headed up the spiral staircase to the rooftop patio and enjoyed the gorgeous sunset view💕. Exhausted is an understatement today. Early-ish to bed. Our last full day in Rome will be spent walking(!) areas we haven't seen yet and our plan is to end the day back at the Trevi fountain so we can experience it at night.Read more