We took taxis to Vatican city to meet up with our tour guide that we had at the Coliseum, Francisco. There was a very lonng line of people waiting to get in to see all the sights, but we were a tour group so we had an appointment so didn't have to wait very long.

We received radios and earphones so we could hear Francisco since it was extremely crowded. Went through several halls of the Vatican Museum on our way to the Sistine Chapel. No photos are allowed in the Chapel, but there were "information stations" outside in a courtyard area where were learned about the Michelangelo paintings and the current restoration projects. The hallways were AMAZING - marble floors and statuary and fountains everywhere. And the CEILINGS were phenomenal. All painted in the trompe l'oeil fashion to make it look like there was ornate moulding on the ceilings when they were in fact flat paintings. Stunning. My neck was sore from taking pictures of all the ceilings!

We went through the map room with ancient maps as they saw the world, fairly accurately actually! Then, the tapestry room, where one of Jesus at the Resurrection was freaky as his eyes and body followed you when you walked by.

Sistine Chapel was amazingly beautiful, albeit smaller than I thought. I finally got to see the famous Michelangelo ceilings paintings, and they were stunning. It took him 4 years to paint, and it has taken 14 years to restore them. The Vatican is celebrating the Jubilee of Mercy this year, so we were hoping for an appearance by Pope Francis, but nope.

Then, to St. Peter's Basilica. Blew me away in it's size and the ornateness of every nook and cranny. Can't even take a picture of the enormity of it. The giant "paintings" are actually mosaics and are HUGE - 20 feet by 15 at least. The basilica has a capacity of 50,000 people, with all it's various hallways. The statues are carved up all 150+ feet of it's height. Just an amazing place.

Walked back to the hotel, as the taxis wanted too much money. Stopped at the Piazza de Navona again. Went to dinner, and I finally has some PASTA, lasagne to be exact. I don't even remember where were ate, I was still bowled over by all the sights were hard seen today. Of course we had gelato, twice today!