anticipation. Our guide for the day, was an older chic Italian lady, very knowledgeable and funny. The entry was overwhelming, our first taste of huge crowds. Once inside it got a little better. We moved through the halls of The Vatican taking in the most amazing pieces of art. So many statues, ornate ceilings, paintings, frescoes and so on...they just kept coming. Then there was the hall of ancient maps...painted with colors that you hardly seem to see anymore. Tapestries with amazing motifs...I could have spent hours here.
Art from The Vatican
Then with more than great anticipation, we entered the room of The Sistine Chapel. It was smaller than I expected. But the colors and the detail were breathtaking. So many panels, so much to look at and take in. It was amazing, yet I was a little disappointed...I think when you know a piece as well as this, sometimes the expectations are higher than the reality... I think I enjoyed the art in the halls better, but having said that, The Sistine Chapel is still an amazing piece.
From there we headed into St Peters. What a remarkable building, inside more pieces of perfection than the eye can take in. We saw the tomb of John Paul, statues including Michelangelo's Pieta, mosaics, paintings, alters...oh my! And then there was the Dome...every building should have a dome!!
Scenes from St Peters and then outside The Vatican
From there a break, some food and a little shopping in The Vatican gift store.
We then headed to The Colosseum, we had seen glimpses of it but to see it properly is just something else. Entering through the huge columns and arches you get a feeling of excitement and anticipation. We got lots of information on how it was used, built etc, but I just liked to find quiet areas to sit, admire and contemplate. This was difficult as there were many groups coming in but you can find little areas here and there. I broke away from the group to do this and spent some time taking photos. A storm was coming through and the dark clouds provided a stunning backdrop to this magnificent piece of history.
We arrived back at the hotel in the late afternoon and had a rest before heading out for dinner. We chose an outdoor place as it was a cooler evening. Veal Scaloppine Italian style and some veges. Also our first glimpse and taste of garlic bread. Hoping my Italian friends can help me, we have not really seen it anywhere, so obviously an Aussie invention ? The garlic bread we had was more garlic infused olive oil...delicious!
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2 comments:
Some great photos, so much to see and absorb, eh? The only way to really appreciate it is to actually be there and experience it. Thanks for the updates, it hard finding the time to do them, but they do give you a record for yourself, and postcards would take just as long!!
Funny, first holiday I have not sent postcards. I did think about it, but that was when we were down to 1 or 2 nights in a place, not enough time to think about such things. Hope no one is disappointed!
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