Blogs from Vatican City, Europe - page 9

Well, let me just say AMAZING! The long, long, long, long line for the Vatican was definately worth while. We planned to get up early this morning to go see the Vatican, unfortunately the alarm didn't work. We were able to hop the metro and be there by around 8:20am, and the line was already stretched around the block. It was around 10:45am by the time we actually made it to the entrance, which was great compared to most! We decided a tour would be best for a place such as this, so we knew what it was we were looking at. Therefore, we had to wait until 12:00 for the next tour. At least we could sit down while we waited. When we started to walk around the museum it proved to be a spectacular ... read more

I love this hostel. Its so family oriented. The main room where we have breakfast is like a dining room in someone's home. We all gather here every morning and night and bond like we all know each other. Francesco and his family own the hostel and they are sooo super nice. They go grocery for us and we can use anything they buy. Endless yogurt, cereal, cookies, soda, gelato! etc. After a fun breakfast, my attitude turned a little south. :( I checked my finances and realized that I had spent so much money in the span of like 16 days. How the heck did all that money fly by? I haven't bought anything. I'm backpacking, yo, no room for shopping. Its not really that kind of trip. I would love to buy stuff for ... read more

Its still pretty warm here and other than some rain showers this morning the weather has been cooperative for walking and touring. We had dinner last night with Barb's friends Michelle (who Barb works with)and Jim last night - they've been traveling Italy for over 2 weeks. It was nice seeing and talking complete American with them, though we learned some more Italy by dining with them. Leaving for Florence tomorrow. No real plans today, mostly shopping and wandering. Yesterday was the Vatican - The Sistine Chapel is Unbelievable and that's and understatment. No pictures can describe it's beauty and amazine talent it took to paint it. Ciao!!!!!!!!!!... read more

Pleasantly I found the Italians far more affable than the Greeks. Better value too. My train was in no hurry to arrive in Rome as it spilled its passengers out onto the terminal at 6pm. I had been on the go 36 hrs non-stop. Thankfully, my hotel was close by. The very beautiful and very friendly staff could only give me a bed for one night. "That's fine" I managed to smile back. "We'll sort something out tomorrow". All I wanted to do was rest, in a bed, lying down. A bed that stayed put and didn't leave your hips bruised the next morning.... read more

Vatican City, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. The City is the smallest sovereign state in the world at 0.44 square kilometres (108.7 acres). Vatican City is an elected monarchy that is ruled by the Bishop of Rome — the Pope. The Pope is ex officio head of state and head of government of Vatican City and the term Holy See expresses the totality of his governance and pastoral ministry. The Vatican City State has the distinction of having the smallest and oldest regular army in the world, the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Vatican City also has its own post office, fire brigade, police service, commissary (supermarket), bank, railway station, electricity generating plant, and publishing house. The Vatican also controls its own Internet domain (.va). Saint ... read more