Rome, Italy - Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica

Espresso and Panettone Milanese

Yea!! The “Espresso Master” is making the best home brew. Three espresso pots were found and we can make espresso faster than we can consume.

The Panettone purchased last night was thought to last for a week, but we have revised our estimate since we ate half of it this morning. And the guess that “burro traditionale” was butter, was right on. Yummy stuff.

Wow, today was the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. We left the apartment as scheduled at 8:30 and started our Monday tour, down two flights of stairs at the apartment, and turned left on Corso Emmanuale Vittorio.  We crossed the bridge, watching for traffic.  The police control the traffic signals and it was fun to watch all of the motorcycles filter to the front of the group of cars stopped for the light.  When the light changes to green, the cycles take off!  We walked the cobblestoned streets and gasped when we saw St. Peter's Square.  It is really great to be here in the off season and be one of the few hundreds in the square, instead of one of thousands.  We looked around the square, then turned right to follow the wall of the Vatican to the Vatican Museum entrance.  Oh, and we were able to get water from the fountains along the way!  We had empty water bottles and filled up as we went. What fun!

We were about 45 minutes early for our time, but with no crowds it wasn't an issue. We turned in the internet tickets, got our little souvenir tickets, and followed the signs.  Our first stop was to step outside for a wonderful view of the Dome.

We walked through the Vatican Museum, ohhing and awwwwing at each turn.  Sara was an art major in college, so she is a wealth of information about the different periods represented in the art collection.  I was very excited to see all of the marble statues.  This view shows a look down the long hallway FILLED with marbles.

This statue is the Laocoon (Click here for info on the statue) and it was thrilling to see this in person.  I was walking through the courtyard, and this popped in to view.  No huge crowds. No big signs...Just another one of the  many wonders of this collection.

Lunch time was in the Museum cafeteria Pizzaria.  Pretty tasty. These were mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant, and some sort of meat and cheese.  The staff spoke English enough to facilitate ordering.  We took a little break, enjoyed a Pepsi and Pizza.

There is a series of rooms that are called "Raphael Rooms".  The walls are all painted with huge murals.  ()
The rational theme of the ‘School of Athens’, is where Raffaello represents the ancient philosophers; in the centre Platone, who is pointing at the sky with his hand and Aristotle answers him pointing to the earth. Pitagora on the left is giving lessons and Diogene is reading on the stairs; finally, at the bottom, Eraclito is in the act of writing on a piece of paper leaning on a marble block, in which many recognize are the traits of Michelangelo, who in those days were intent to work in the Sistine Chapel. (from the website listed below).


Click here for Raphael Room info

Our original plan was to find a recommended pizza restaurant, but we were all tired and decided to come back in the direction of the apartment.

We had dinner at a restaurant across the street from the apartment.

Ristorante Pizzeria da Carlo

C.so vittorio Emanuele II, 333

Chianti Classico 18,00€ for our wine.  We each had Bruschetta Mozz+Pomodoro (tomatoes) for 4,00€.

Pappardelle F.Porcini 14€

Totrellini 4 Fomaggi 9€

Spaghi Carbonara 9€

Scaloppine 12€

Spinaci Limone 5€