Today was a helluva long day!

After a late night last night having aperitivos with our travel concierges (Elizabeth and Blaine) at a small inn they were checking out (we determined it was not an appropriate choice for seniors - an elevator only to the 3rd floor and two floors of walk up to the roof garden) and then dinner at a local family-style restaurant that we closed down at midnight, we forced ourselves out of bed for breakfast then a 9:45 meet up with our guide for the day. Giovanni was the extremely well-versed in history guide that Joey and Art had yesterday to the Colosseum and historical part of town. I just realized I didn't include any of the guys' travels yesterday, so I'll do a separate post about their day - thru their eyes - but not here. : ).

We headed out to the Vatican and were taken through the guided tour entrance that I didn't do last time I went through the Vatican - even though I took a guided tour. We first went through the Sistine Chapel and then the Basilica. Through the courtyard and overlooking the gardens, we entered a long passageway covered walls to ceilings with tapestries and paintings - some tromp l'oil (fool the eye in French) and some real dimensional artworks that led to the Sistine Chapel. Once inside, it is considered holy, and a non-talk, non-camera zone, and the microphone periodically came on reminding people "shhhhhh" .... And "no cameras, no talking" In English and Italian. Then on to the Basilica. I had been there before but its grandeur continues to impress - the lettering around the basilica near the ceiling and windows - each letter is 9 feet tall! Looking totally in perspective with its surroundings indicates the immensity of the space. And seeing Pieta again did not disappoint.

As we left the Basilica, heading out to the piazza that is in every famous photo or video of the Vatican, we noticed that the entirety was covered with rows of chairs - an event had happened, or was about to happen. Upon inquiry, we heard that the Pope had addressed the crowd while we were inside.

We were driven to the hills of the Forum for a quick lunch (pizza for all but me - I tried the lasagna) then back to our hotel for a very quick nap.

Pick up again to go to the Borghese Gallery. A small but lovely collection of paintings and statues collected by the nephew of a Pope. The interior design of the building was created to be a museum and the collection was either purchased or wrested from the owners eor artists themselves .. Who would be able to go against the nephew of the Pope???

M after the Borghese gallery we had dinner at a local family-style restaurant near our hotel called Tavernelle. The food was quite good, and the service was lovely.