Day 19: Rome - Vatican City

For the first day in Rome, we had booked tickets to the Vatican Museum ahead of time, and boy! are we glad we did.

We walked to the Barberini metro stop, closest train stop near Trevi fountain to go to the Vatican City.
Rome only has two metro lines - A and B. They started off on Line C, but it quickly became an archaeological dig, and work is stopped as of now.

We bought single use tickets for train travel. We reached Ottaviano stop in about 10 minutes (you have to go west from Barberini). As you come up to the street level (walk towards Ottaviano street) from the underground walkway after getting off the train), you walk down the main street (Ottaviano) and take a right when you see the huge wall to your right. You will reach the Vatican Museum entrance after about 15 minutes.  The line was going around the wall till we couldn't see where!

The line for people with reserved tickets  (us! ) gave you almost instant entry to the museum. After security, we went to the bookshop and post office (near the entrance) and mailed a postcard home for memories, and also for the special Vatican stamp!

Globe monument in a Vatican courtyard

We started our tour through the Egyptian room, Octagonal courtyard, and then followed the arrows to the Sistine Chapel. On the way, we saw ancient tapestries with biblical references, and paintings with the same.

Finally, we were in the Sistine Chapel. It is so mesmerizing that it is possible to look at it for hours. We had downloaded Rick Steve's audio guide ahead of time and we heard it while we were in the Chapel. No photos or videos are allowed in the Chapel.

Mosaic on the floor - Vatican museum

St. Peter's Square - Vatican city

From there, we exited in the direction of St. Peter's Basilica and came out into the main square of the Vatican City.

Note: Take snacks with you to munch on during breaks at the Vatican museum. And lots of water. In July, it was so hot outside and very crowded inside. Some sugar (chocolates :), will keep you happier! :)
We entered the Basilica through the main doors and saw Michelangelo's Pieta, Bernini's bronze canopy, St. Peters statue (which had a long line to touch it) and we were just impressed with the sheer size of the Basilica. (60,000 people can pray in it at once).

Michelangelo's Pieta at St. Peter's Basilica

We came back home via train after the visit.
Later that evening, we visited the Trevi fountain to see the lights at night which was beautiful, and

Trevi fountain during the day

Trevi fountain at night

we walked to the Spanish steps (widest steps in Europe), but couldn't go on them, as they were in the process of being repaired.  The Spanish steps are about 10 minutes walking from Trevi fountain.

We walked back through Via Condotti, the main shopping boulevard in Rome, with all the brands right there - Louis Vuitton ( with the digital designs on the stairs), Hermes, Prada, Fendi, and on and on.

Spanish steps