|
|
VaticanWe set out with high hopes for the Vatican. The plan was to see the Vatican Museum and the Sistine chapel in the morning and then see St Peters when we were done. The weather was a problem with on and off rain and cool temperatures, but the larger problem was the fault of inept facility management by the Vatican Museum. When we arrived we were greeted by an hour and a half line that ringed the Vatican wall. There was no good reason for the line, they just had two ticket booths open.
The crowd, frustrated by the line, was then presented with only one option to navigate the museum. Travel through a series of endless halls and constricted doorways in a hot stuffy building. Every tour group stopped in the doorways, causing a huge crowd to back up behind them. Most of the visitors to the museum just wanted to see the Sistine Chapel, but there was no way to do that. Toward the end of the trek to the Sistine Chapel some two hours later, many visitors were belligerent enough to confront the guards when asked to not take flash pictures. Once we arrived at the Sistine Chapel no photos of any type were allowed, even without flash. This set the crowd off completely and they proceeded to take pictures with abandon. The Vatican Museum would be a wonderful experience and the Sistine is spectacular, but the poor facility management spoiled it for most. Summer crowds will make it a nightmare. Saint Peters was a big improvement, but not without problems. For some unexplainable reason tourists were not allowed to take pictures of the Holy Door, opened only in Jubilee years (every 25 years). The size of the church is its first impression. You can wander around freely and there is a lot to see.
Leaving the Vatican you can get a good view of the square. It was raining when we left, but the final Vatican picture gives a view toward St. Peters.
After a frustrating morning and early afternoon at the Vatican, we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe near the old Roman Wall to unwind.
|
|
|
