The Vatican and Almafi Coast

The Vatican

When we arrived back from our cruise at port we took a car back to Rome. We were staying in a different part of the city: the neighborhood around the Vatican. We arrived at our hotel (Michelangelo) before we could check-in so we left our bags and walked around the corner and found a nice place to eat. Afterwards we waited until our room was ready. This time we were quite pleased with our room accommodations. Not only did we have AC, but I also had a bath tub! After all of the activity and travel we had done over the last week and a half, I was really excited to have the opportunity to just soak in a tub. (It really is the small things).

After we got settled, we started our walk to the Vatican. On the map it looked like it would be a short 10 minute walk, but that actually turned into about a 30 minute walk and us worrying if we were going to meet our guide on time or not. The reason for the delay, Vladimir Putin. Our direct route was blocked to allow for his motorcade to have easy access to the Vatican. Fun Fact: it is customary for any political official visiting Italy to first stop to see the pope, then they go to the head of Italy. We were fortunate that the motorcade didn't take long and we made it to our meet up time, with a little bit of time to spare.

I should mention that I wasn't really looking forward to going to the Vatican. I am not sure why but it has never been something that I really wanted to see. Ken however, was excited. I joked with him that our first two days in Rome were for me and our last two days in Italy were for him.

After we met our guide and received our headphones, we headed to the Vatican. Upon entering you go through security. After you get through security, which is like going through TSA but not nearly as rigorous, you climb some stairs and find yourself within one of the many buildings that make up the Vatican. Fun Fact: the Vatican has an art collection that would take about 3 years to see, if you do not sleep or eat. It is a little overwhelming, the size of the area. We took a very specific route that would end at the Sistine Chapel before going into St. Peter's. Along they way to the Sistine Chapel, we saw some amazing sculptures and tapestries. Everywhere you looked there was something to admire and you couldn't help but feel like you were still missing so much. It reminded me of the Louvre in Paris. Along the way we passed through different chambers that were once private residences of past popes. We saw an amazing tiled floor and then we went into a room that took my breath away.

I have long admired the fresco "The School of Athens", painted by Raphael. This fresco shows some of the contributors to the Renaissance movement. It also contains a portrait of Raphael within it as well as Michelangelo (Raphael's rival). There is so much to take in when you see it. I was so surprised to see it at the Vatican. I know it shouldn't be surprising, since the Church was a great patron to Renaissance artists but it did. I could not first, get over the fact that it was painted to decorate a bedroom for a pope and second the size and detail in person was breathtaking.

After that room, we went through a couple of other rooms and made our way to the chapel. I want to go on record as saying it is a little disappointing that you can't take pictures. I know they do it to protect the paintings but I also feel they do it for crowd management but also because it is such an important room. It is in the Sistine Chapel that a new pope is voted on. I also learned something new about the Sistine, that one of Michelangelo's rivals recommended him to paint it, even though Michelangelo did not consider himself a painter. He was forced to do it. I find it ironic that his rival sought to embarrass him, but in doing so forced him to do something that he is ultimately remembered for. The different panels on the ceiling are amazing, as well as the Last Judgment. It is truly something to see as they say.

After the Sistine Chapel we went to St. Peter's. The basilica is huge. We entered into it and kept to the right. The first thing you see is the Pieta by Michelangelo. It is hard to get close but Ken braved the crowd and got as close as he could to look at it. (I have a problem with large crowds). It is impressive, but it is so hard to appreciate the craftsmanship since it is behind glass. This was the reason I wanted to see the Moses, as I alluded to in my previous post on Rome. We spent about 30-45 minutes within the church. We were not able to see all of it because they were having Mass. All the marble within and sculptures are so impressive.

We exited the church and went into the square to appreciate the building from afar. In the square you can see the windows to the pope's apartments. We took our picture and headed back to the hotel.

We stopped by the hotel to ask for a recommendation for a place to eat dinner. We were pointed to Papa Rex. It is here that we had probably our best meal, outside the food tour of course, in Rome. We split a caprese salad that was perfectly seasoned with olive oil and herbs. I ordered the lasagna, the best I had, and Ken had the ravioli. We loved eating there and thought about going again but it didn't work out. We capped the night off with a gelato shop we passed on our way back to the hotel.

The Almafi Coast

The Amalfi Coast was one of the most beautiful parts of Italy we saw. Ken has always wanted to go here and I can say we saved one of the best places in the country for last.

We woke up early and took an express train to Naples from Rome arriving in an hour and a half. From the train station, our tour company arranged for a transfer shuttle to the starting point of the tour. This ended up being the smallest group of our trip with just six people which made for an intimate day of exploring with our guide.

We started the tour with a visit for the Limoncello factory in Sorrento, where they make a local liqueur of lemons. It had amazing views on the coastline from the factory. I purchased some handmade sandals and Ken got a glass beaded bracelet. It is a fun stop!

After the factory, we had a delicious lunch overlooking the coastline in Sorrento and then went shopping in the town. There were lots of cute stores, we purchased our daughters handmade lemon dresses that they love.

After lunch we continued our tour along a coastal drive to Positano and Amalfi, savoring unforgettable views around every twist and turn. I have never seen so many Yachts! The water was packed end to end with people enjoying summer on the Med. We stopped in Positano for a few photos from the overlook. In Amalfi we took a boat out on the water so we could see the view from the water and enjoy the architecture. It was a relaxing day after walking so much over the trip. We also walked around Amalfi and visited the shops.

After Amalfi our driver took us a more direct route through the mountains back to Naples. We had booked a late train back to Rome, but were able to easily get an earlier train and left around 6:30, and got back to Naples a few hours later in time to make dinner at a spot near our hotel.

After dinner we packed and prepared to head back to the states the next morning after an amazing two weeks of fun!