Strolling Through the Vatican

A trip to Rome means going to the Vatican. I believe it's required by law. Or, at least, the law of tourism. If nothing else, you will get to experience the sort of opulence that will make your eyes bleed. And you will see enough religion-themed artwork to last the rest of your life. The Vatican is also probably the most crowded place in Rome, so get there early. Better yet, arrange for a "private" tour which begins an hour before the doors open for the general public (we used Walks of Italy). You'll have the unique pleasure of seeing the Vatican Museum hallways relatively empty. No jostling until St. Peter's Basilica which has opened by the time you get there.

So here's what I got from my morning in the Vatican.

Walks of Italy tour guide outside the Museum entrance.

A sight rarely seen—the halls of the Vatican Museum nearly empty.

I liked the kinetic feeling of this complex statue. They looked like they were about walk off the pedestal.

Amazingly, this guy found a phone call more important than perusing the statues.

Our tour guide watched over by statues.

Apollo

Museum worker

A Vatican inner passageway. I liked the windows.

Have no idea where this corridor led, but it looked spooky.

Okay, admit it. When's the last time you saw a picture of the Vatican parking lot?

Inside St. Peter's Basilica.

Here's something you don't see everyday. This bride was getting ready to be married in St. Peter's Basilica.