We had a 10 am entrance for the Vatican. We had to get there super early because...the Pope was going to be speaking. Lots of people. Lots.
If you zoom in, you can see the Pope to the right...by the corner of the building.
I zoomed in. Look for the man in white. He's above the crowd giving blessings.
We started our tour by walking 30 minutes to the entrance for visitors.
Then it was off to the gardens. We were accompanied by a couple from New Zealand. They were a blast. Fun times.
On the bus.
Pretty fountain in the Vatican Gardens
Statue.
Maze.
View of the basilica from the gardens.
Another statue.
Going into the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel was very difficult to enjoy. There were a ton of people, a ton of rooms, and a ton of stairs. Combine that with the heat and humidity of the day...very difficult to enjoy. If you're going to go through, get there EARLY.
The museum is comprised mostly of statues and columns dating as far back as the first century (well...I didn't see anything dated B.C.)
All the ceilings and walls were very intricate.
The Sistine Chapel was incredibly crowded. The paintings by Michelangelo were awesome.
The Creation of Adam
After the chapel, I was in a hurry to get out. Definitely needed some fresh air. We went to a cafe and ate. Then we did maintenance: laundry and showers.
The laundry woman was awesome. She did everything; she even folded our clothes. Brad wants her to come home with us...lol.
By 5ish, we headed out to the Opera. We sat in the second row of a balcony (I don't think they were designed to have second rows.) There was even a third. The older couple sitting in front of us were absolutely splendid. There were three acts to the Opera Tosca. For each intermission, we talked to the older couple. Never got their names, but they were locals who love going to the opera. It was very enjoyable.
View from the first row. I kept thinking of Pretty Woman. "I almost peed my pants!" Lol
Tosca was amazing.