The Vatican

Today we went to the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and St.Peters Basilica.
To say we were absolutely 'gob smacked' would be putting it mildly.

The spectacle and splendour can only be appreciated when you are standing in such a magnificent setting, amid the most beautiful architecture and artistry in the world. And you do not need to be of any religious persuation to enjoy it.

The Vatican museum holds a vast collection of artifacts, and, if you were to stand in front of every statue in there for one minute only, it would take you 12 years to get out.

And to see the amazing work of Michelangelo's in the Sistine chapel, which only took him four years to complete is just breath taking.

If you ever get the chance to go to Rome, then this is a must, and would recommend you take a guide. The cost (sorry no concessions today) was 55 euros each, and that gave you a two and a half hour long visit with a guide who spoke perfect english, he was from Florida, but his knowledge was phenominal.

We were thinking of going tomorrow - Sunday which apparently is free if it's the last Sunday in the month, however, locals tell us that by about 10 am the queues
can be up to a kilometre long and take three hours to get in. But we are going with same guide to see the ancient Appian Catacombs 150 km. of underground cemeteries. I can't see us walking 150 km. in two and a half hours, so I'll see you tomorrow with another history lesson.