Roma, Part Two

This time last week I was hopping off a sight seeing bus and stepping foot upon the beautiful Vatican City. I've wanted to visit the Vatican since I can remember and after burning the soles of our shoes whilst queueing in the mid-morning heat, we were finally inside the walls of St. Peter's Basilica.

Unknowingly jumping into the wrong queue we ended up buying tickets to walk to the very top of the Church, but at only 5 euros each we couldn't really complain. Rob's fear of heights got the better of him about 300 steps up and after edging his way around the circumference of the balcony, he made a swift decent back down to sea level! For me, it was onwards and upwards and slightly sidewards as the walls curved round. After clambering up over 500 stairs, through narrow passage ways and tiny spiralling staircases with no hand rails, I made it to the Cupola of St. Peter's Basilica to be greeted by some pretty spectacular views.

After getting my fix of these awesome sights, I ventured back down to meet up again with Rob and we began exploring the incredible architecture of the church, mouths gaping in awe.

We then walked round to the Vatican Museum in order to see the Sistine Chapel. The Chapel was amazing, it was pretty mind blowing to think that all those years ago, Michaelangelo painted the ceiling in such vivid detail. It really was spectacular to behold. 

This isn't the Sistine Chapel, it is in the Vatican Museum. You aren't allowed to take pictures in the Chapel so I have none to show you, but Google has plenty!

The next day we hopped back on the tour bus and went to Villa Borghese, an area just above where we were staying, The park was huge and we rented what was called a Roscio and with the fear of God installed in me (it felt very wobbly and Rob was a terrible driver) we tore around the park for an hour.

As it was our last night in Rome we decided to head back to our favourite restaurant and area of our trip, Cantina e Cucina for more incredibly tasty food and drinks. The staff were as welcoming as we remembered and yet another free glass of wine was consumed while we waited a short while for a table. 

On the Monday our flight was not until evening so we took one last trip to the Spanish Steps and the church of Santa Maria del Popolo. It's always sad when a holiday comes to an end and Rome really did make us fall in love with it. I am already planning on taking my mum to Rome either next year or the year after (somebody give me a job, please!) My mum has always secretly wanted to visit the Vatican and seeing as she has only ever been to two countries, the Philippines (her native country) and England, I think she is more than overdue a trip to such a beautiful place, don't you? 

Have you ever been to Rome?