Italian Adventure - Day 1

After getting into Rome Friday evening, we were ready to hit the ground running on Saturday!  Our day included the major sites of Vatican City: St. Peter's Square, climbing to the top of the dome at St. Peter's Basilica (no easy feat!), exploring the Vatican and the famous Sistene Chapel, and  some delicious gelato from Captain Cono.

Friday afternoon on the plane.  Thank you whoever invented tablets!

Saturday morning walking from our apartment to the metro station and our first day in Rome!  Off to explore Vatican City!

First stop in Vatican City: St. Peter's Basilica

Before climbing to the top of the dome at the basilica.  Isandro was not in the mood for pictures, or for climbing.  So I ended up carrying him in my carrier while Manuel carried Benicio.  We then took a lift (elevator) part way up, then had to climb 320 more steps to reach the top of the dome.  Some steps were extremely small, steep, and slanted.  More so the closer we got to the top of the dome.  The views were pretty incredible though!

View of St. Peter's Square from the top of the dome.

A nice view of Rome!

Inside St. Peter's Basilica.

Walking around outside of the Vatican Museum.

After some lunch, our next stop was the Vatican Museum.

Incredible work, Mr. Michaelangelo!  We were more impressed by this room (the Book of Maps room) than the Sistene Chapel (where no pictures were allowed and I wasn't brave enough to try to sneak one).

Neat staircase at the Vatican.

After an exhausting trek up 320 stairs at the basilica and walking through the super crowded Vatican Museum, it was time for some fresh air!

To end the day: gelato!  A friend recommended Captain Cono near the Vatican.  It was delicious!

Gelato all over your entire face, shirt, and pants = a great first day in Rome!