Vatican City

Buongiorno

That’s not our bus

Our Magical Mystery Tour, as our tour director called it, started on day 2 with no coach bus. So the kids got to experience public transportation!

first a very personal bus ride

then a 'watch your bags' metro ride

We couldn't make it to the Catacombs excursion in time. We just had time to grab a panino for lunch and meet our Vatican guide.

Walls of Vatican City

Our guide was great! Funniest art moment is Michaelangelo’s revenge painting in The Last Judgement

Fractured Sphere

Every nook and cranny of the Vatican is incredible!

Belvedere Torso-an inspiration to artists

It’s crazy that these masterpieces were commissioned just to decorate private rooms.

Room of the Segnatura, art by Raphael. Originally a library and private office of the pope.

Our tour got a detour so we got to see this fresco gem by Raphael: The School of Athens

Some papal bling

Nero’s bath and intricate Masonic floor tiles

This tapestry of Jesus’ Resurrection has Him gazing at you any way you look at it

Drama

Gallery of maps leads to Sistene Chapel.
No photos and silence inside. “Silencio”

We stretched our necks to take in the artwork by Muchaelangelo (Creation of Adam!)

Lydia in the Vatican Museum

"World Meeting on Human Fraternity" in St Peter's Square (#NotAlone). We heard music and speeches.

We were supposed to see St Peter’s Basilica, but it was closed to visitors that day.