Italy Day Eight: Rome is Conquered

Pyamid of Rome

Today was a long and busy day.  First, we picked up a guide familiar with Rome and the Vatican.  Alexandra was excellent as we drove around the city pointing out points of interest and tidbits of facts for us.  We visited the Circus Maximus, drove by the Forum, visited the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. 

Our Tour Group at Trevi Fountain

Pantheon

Inside the Pantheon

After lunch we entered the smallest nation in the world, Vatican City.  104 Acres consists of the whole of the Vatican and it is recognized as a nation within itself.  We toured the Vatican Museums and saw great colletions of the statues, tapestry and art collected over the years.  We visited St. Peters Catherdal and saw the works of Bernini and mummies of popes laid to rest.  Yes, the actual bodies embalmed and mummified for display.  Of course St. Peters Catherdal is the location of where the Apostle Peter is buried and the center of the cathedral is built upon his burial spot. 

Masterpiece Art Work

St. Peters




Hallway to the Sistine Chapel

 

Michangelo's Work

St. Peter's Catherdal

Vatican Square



The Swiss Guard



Looking up to where the Pope would address the crowd














The Pope was in his office today



Confession line was too long to see the Pope



One of the greatest highlights for Cheryl and I was to see the Sistine Chapel and work of Michelangelo and others.  What a spectacular site to view and take in.  It's too bad that they will not allow photos of the chapel and the great artwork. 

Cheryl giving the Angel's and Demons Tour

Finally our last hurrah was to take and lead seven of our group through the streets of Rome to a couple of interesting spots.  First, we visited the Castel and Ponte of Sant'Angelo.  This historical site became well know from the movie Angels and Demons.  It is here that the four popes were kidnapped and held hostage in the movie. 

Our Demon Tour Group



Piazza Navona

  Dinner was in a little side cafe where we had a delicious dinner and then on to the Piazza Navona where one of the bodies of the popes was dumped into the fountain in the movie.  It

is a great spot to gather and hold market and entertainment as well. 

Rome has been Conquered

After conquering Rome, a tired tour group met for the last time and took our last bus ride back to our hotel.  Tomorrow the main group goes to Pompeii and others will go their separate ways.  It has been a great little tour group and we would do it over in an instance.  Thanks to Image Tours and our guide Thea, it's been great.