Last Day in Rome - St. Peter's Bascilica

Today we knew we had to get up early.  Our goal was to be out the door at 8 am.  We were 20 minutes late but we were still quite proud of ourselves.

St. Peter's Basilica opens at 7 am. Now that would of been too early but we knew we wanted to be there before it got really crowded.  A lot of Italians are on a long weekend here so we knew it could be busy.

We walked to the Vatican(30 min walk) and the queue was long but it only got longer.  We waited 40 minutes to get through security.  

Remember while in the church - dress appropriately, remove your hat, no talking on your cell phone.  If you have a knapsack you will need to check it at the coat check after security.

This is our second visit to St. Peter's.  Last time we were here we saw a lot and even visited the Necropolis. To read  more click here.

Today our goal is to just walk around and enjoy it with no guide or schedule.  Bernie wanted to come back here to see it a second time.

It was lovely, and not crazy packed.  We were able to move around freely and get up close to many pieces.  Although this time we were not able to go right up to the alter and walk around it like last time.  I am not sure if this is a permanent change or temporary.  So I am glad we got to last time.

After 20 minutes we left and we can see the line for the security has snaked all around completely and doubled back.  Glad we got here early.

We walked around for a while, got our coffee, picked up some bus tickets for tomorrow's tram then returned to the apartment.

On the walk back we heard my name being called - our friend Juan who is also sailing with us was in a taxi stopped at a light.  Too funny that our paths would cross!

It is around 11 and we relax for a bit.

We want to head out again around 1 pm, but not sure where/what to do.  We are getting hungry and since our mid day meal has been our largest since arriving we head out to get a meal.

After a great meal we wander some more.  Thankfully it hasn't rain - although we are prepared with an umbrella at all times.  

I wanted something sweet and was craving a cannoli.  We find a spot and pick up one that is called a Sicilian Cannoli.  It was good, but I couldn't even finish it.  Just so rich.

Again we wander the streets of Rome just gawking.  We pop into a few shops but neither one of us are big shoppers.  But it is fun to look.

It is very busy everywhere so finding some quieter streets is a treat.

Back at the apartment around 4 pm we take note that we have logged 20,000 steps today!  Wow.

We relax - and I even had an hour nap.  We enjoy the wine we have and talk about our game plan for tomorrow.  

Pack up, take garbage down to the street, tidy up, luggage tags, time to leave, etc.

We are catching a train from Trastevere station which is very close to us and a short tram way away.  We could walk it in about a half hour but with our bags it is just as easy to take the tram.

Our train is at 10:27 and we will arrive at Civitavecchia station around 11:15 am.  I know we could take a shuttle but for the two of us it would be way too expensive - private would be 119 e each, or shared at 69 e each.  Our train ticket plus the tram is 8 e each.

We have really enjoyed our time in Rome.  Both of us are glad we came back.  Although both of us agree that we prefer the smaller, quieter places in Italy.   We much preferred Sardinia, Lucca, Genoa than the big cities like Rome or Venice.  

Everyone needs to see Rome, see the sites here but to get a "real" experience of Italy head outside of Rome.  

I have really liked staying in Trastevere, so easy to get around and a feel of a community.

So tomorrow we board the Crown for 24 days and we are both really looking forward to it.

How To Pre Order All Your Italy Tickets To Major Sites

One tip I learned from Rick Steves that has been priceless is:  

Pre reserve your all your tickets to the major sites in Florence, Rome, Venice and others large cities.  This allows you to skip the line (which can be quite long during prime season).  

There are many booking sites out there that will reserve tickets for you (I call them brokers) and add an additional fee to secure these tickets. But by going directly with the establishment you cut out the middle man and save money.  

Here is an example for exactly the same ticket for Florence's Uffizi Gallery Tickets with skip the line:

Viator - 28 Euros

Musement - 20 Euros

Florence Museum Tickets.com - 24.50 Euros

Italy Tickets - 26.50 Euros

But directly with the Museums Site - 16.50 Euros 

What I really dislike is it is hard to determine what is the official site and what isn't.  Those brokers make their sites look VERY official.  

Last year we pre reserved for the Colosseum/Forum in Rome, Vatican Museum, Doge's Palace in Venice.  

Here are the Official sites that we used, click the links below.  

•  Venice's Doges' Palace - reserve here
•  Rome - Colosseum, Forum - reserve here
•  Rome - Vatican - reserve here
•  Florence - many of the cities museums including Uffizi and Accademia - reserve here 

Most of the above sites do offer tours that include entry.  Or you can reserve audio guides.  Or better yet download Rick Steves free audio guides and tour independently.

Hope this helps.

Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel

and no I am not using a selfie stick, just my arm

We knew we had to visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, of course we are in Rome. Although I really really hate crowds.  After reading that there was an option to visit the Museum on one of their Friday Night Tours I jumped at it.

We pre reserved at the Vatican's website for a group tour on one of their last Friday Night openings. We booked directly with them and we saved quite a bit.  See my list of websites here to find links.

We took the Metro to the Vatican and then it is a short walk to the Museum.  We gave ourselves enough time just in case and we are early so we walk around for half an hour.

We are told to come back at 7:45 for our 8 pm tour.  There is absolutely no line at all.  We clear thru security faster than we ever had at any airport.  We go to the groups area and collect our tickets and and we go to our meeting spot and get our earphones and transmitter.

We are a small group of around 16 and our guide welcomes us.  We meet a young couple from New Westminster, a town right near ours.  In fact they are getting on the same cruise as us but are only doing the first leg. 

Now I purposely did not bring my good camera and tried to keep my camera in my pocket throughout the Vatican Museum.  Note pictures are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel at all.  I really wanted to view all the art thru my eyes and not be so concerned with seeing it thru a lens or feeling like oh I have to get a picture.  So sorry if that is what you are wanting but the memories are in my mind. But I did take two pictures and they are posted here.

All I can say is really a big WOW, every room you go in it is like WOW, OH MY, AWESOME, WOW, REALLY, CRAZY... to the point that it seems that it can't get any more big and dramatic and then darn if you don't go in another room and then BAM there it is again.  WOW, okay Vickie close your mouth.

I would have to say for the first hour it was awesome, then it was like okay cool, then it was like okay this is getting to be a bit over the top.  How much wealth does this place have.?  Crazy... and it started to become overwhelming.  

By the end of the second hour we are getting a bit tired and sadly we just couldn't give the attention we needed to the amazing sites we were seeing.

Finally we enter the Sistine Chapel and I can't believe it. Yes the walls, ceiling, altar, all of it are so very beautiful. It is hard to believe I am here.  And also I am shocked cause everything I had heard said how packed it was but there couldn't of been more than a hundred people in here.  It didn't feel crowded at all - another perk of going at night.  

The guards take their job seriously and he called out a few times for people to put their cameras away.  In fact he went to a guy who was taking pictures and demanded that they get deleted or he would confiscate the camera.  

We spend about twenty minutes in here and we look at each other and say time to go.  It is 10:30 and we are done like dinner.

Am I glad I went to the Vatican Museum, absolutely, I blown away, you bet. 

Would I do it again, probably not.  I love art but this was just way too big and just too opulent.  I think I will stick to churches and "average" museums.  But I highly recommend that if you haven't been then you have to go, but be prepared.  And if you can go during one of their night tours do it.

We leave the museum and our plans were to head for dinner at a place we had recommended to us near the Pantheon.  

First mistake was going up to the taxi line right outside the Vatican.  The guy says 30 E, and we said "what is just across the Tiber" and he says oh no because it is night it is more. We both look at each other and say "no thanks" and walk away.  The guy tried to get us back but we just thought no way.  

As we walked away Bernie says he really is not that hungry and he is more tired than hungry and maybe we can just pick up something small near our apartment.  Okay, sounds like a plan, so we head to the Metro station.

But when we arrive we are hearing a loud speaker announcement and it doesn't sound good.  We soon find out something is wrong and the Metro is down.  Oh... okay, so back up to the road level where we decide to just flag down a taxi.

We get in and the guy has a meter and he takes us right to our apartment for just under 17 E.  Gee this is about three times as far as the Pantheon and just under half the price. So be aware.  But I have to say all the taxis we have taken have been great and very honest.

We arrive and decide to just pick up two samosas each from the Indian Restaurant - Gourm India right where our hotel is.  They are at Via Labicana, 29.  We walk in and place the order and the owner is chatting with us and then we sit down.  As we are waiting he takes out two shot glasses and pours a shot of Barcardi Rum for each of us.  

Oh okay, we thank him and we drink it - oh boy....   We chat some more with him and tell him where we are from and what we are up to and how much we like Rome.  We talk about India and how we would love to visit it sometime.  We have made new friends, and just wish we were here longer so we could enjoy a meal here.  The samosas were very good and hit the spot.

We soon climb into bed and again we are asleep before our head hits the pillow.  Tomorrow is another fun day so stay tuned.

St. Peter's Basilica - Thursday Morning

Sadly we were woken very early this morning (around 5 am) to someone talking very loudly nearby. Not sure where it was coming from but there was no going back to sleep. Neither of us had much of a sleep anyways.  It is going to take some time to get over this jet lag.  I really don't know how people can fly all the way over here for just a week with a 9 hour time change.  Maybe I am just getting old.

Anyways, our day began early and we figured lets just go for it.  So we got up and showered and had some cereal and tea (so nice having a kitchen).

Today we are heading to St. Peter's Basilica.  We booked a tour to see the Necropolis where the tomb of St. Peter is. This is an amazing event and only a couple hundred a day get to visit, and the groups are limited to 12.

I booked this tour last May when the dates opened.  If you are at all interested make sure you reserve as soon as possible.  You can find links to all the tours here. You are wanting tickets to the Necropolis and you can only reserve by sending them an email.  Once they notify you of space  you have to send them payment.  For us in 2015 the cost was 13E each.  We paid this via credit card and then they sent us confirmation.

Back to our day.... we walked out of the apartment and turned right and four blocks away is Manzoni Metro Station. We buy our 1.50E tickets and head down and jump on the train, only to realize after the first stop we are going the wrong way.  Jump out and cross the platform to the train going in the other direction.  Of course it is busy it is 8 am and everyone is going to work.  But after a few stops it clears out and we take the metro to Ottaviano Station.  The signs are very clear on where to go, just look for Vatican Museum.  

We walk down Ottaviano and stop for a quick coffee and pastry.  We watch all the sales people setting up their tables with supposedly our "must haves" -- sorry I don't need a phone charger, a selfie stick, a laser pointer, or a scarf. We both comment that this reminds us of some places in Mexico we have been where you can't sit down without someone trying to sell you something.

After our beverages and a boost of caffeine we are walking towards St. Peter's Square.  The square is relatively quiet and we are a little early so we start the Rick Steve's podcast about the Basilica where he talks all about the outside areas.  

Our meeting time is 9:10, but we are not entirely sure where to go so we go thru the security check point where they scan all our bags, we go thru the beepy thing (sorry don't know technical term) and they ensure you are dressed appropriately.

We know we have to check all big bags (like our knapsack) in at the security (which is free and very safe).  We use the washrooms right there too.  You can also get audio guides for the Basilica if you wish, but even better use Rick Steve's guides for free.

This is the office door you have to find to get your tickets

Now where do we go?  We asked and were told to go up the stairs to the church then down the other side.  Okay, now where, ask someone else.  We have to exit and to the entrance on the left side.  Here we had to show the security our confirmation paper and he once again made us to thru the beepy thing (technical term).  We are told to walk forward and go to the Scavi office.  Here is a picture of it cause trust me it is not obvious.  We arrive, a man with a blank face asks us our names, and prints out two tickets and told to wait right outside.  Okay, who are we to argue.

The group is getting bigger - in all we had 12, all were from the United States, except us two Canadians.  Our guide met us and led us inside.

Now I could go on and on with exactly what we experienced but it was just so much.  I learned a ton.  To get to see this area that is so special, and so few get to see.  To see under the Basilica where people use to roam the streets.  To see the excavations and the history is well speechless.

Trust me it is very interesting, even to someone who is not religious.  Just the archaeological information is worth the visit.  

Things to take note though:  

• it gets warm down there, now it is cool Fall like weather and we are wear light jackets and long sleeve tops under it and we were all hot. I would imagine during the summer it may be rather cool but for us we were all sweaty when we got out.  
• you are not allowed to take any pictures, nor lean against any of the walls or touch any of them, this is in order to protect the remains that have been uncovered.
• It took about two hours in total so be prepared
• The tour takes you into some narrow confined spaces underground, with some steps.  You will need to be able to maneuver the area but anyone who can easily walk and stand for that length of time won't have a problem.

See my webpage links for tour information on all the sites/tours I used on this trip by clicking here. 

After the tour we are back outside and it is sunny and hot and the crowds are heavy.  We see that the line to get in the Basilica is now almost halfway around the square. When we arrived at 8:30 this morning there was maybe 20 in line! So go early or go late to avoid crowds.  

There is no fee to enter the Basilica but if you want an audio guide there is a fee, or if you wish to climb the dome there is a fee.  We didn't do either so I can't comment.

We enter back into the church along with the throngs of people - but I know it isn't that bad cause the guard mentions that in the summer it is twice as busy.  Oh I can't imagine.

I start up the podcast for the audio guide to start again. Rick Steve's leads us along the church's major sites.  Again no sense in me describing everything, let it be known that I was gob smacked and felt blessed for being in such a beautiful spot.

Now I have to say I love taking pictures as much as the next person but really people!  Do you have to record every inch of the church.  Put the camera down and step back and absorb the surroundings.  Look at it with your EYES, feel it in your soul.  But no, seems people now have access to a camera constantly and they pose with every statue, every mosaic, every jaw dropping site.  Plus there are people criss crossing everywhere so they end up in your shot.  

Oh and those darn selfie sticks!  Again I witnessed them swinging out and smacking people.  Sometimes it was the users' fault and often it was the person just walking by and not seeing this small pole right in front of them.  I am surprised they haven't banned them from here.

Then the people who just don't follow the rules and are taking pictures of a mass in progress.  There is a big sign with a camera with a line thru it - universal sign for NO PICTURE TAKING.   But oh no they miss it cause that is right they have the camera glued to their face. 

Okay rant over, but if you have a selfie stick and you are ever around me don't be surprised if I break it.  No worries you can buy another one almost anywhere in Rome.

Needless to say I took many shots in the church but I did not take a selfie, nor did I even pose for a picture in the church.  I don't know, maybe I should of but I just didn't feel it.

We finally leave the square at noon and we need to figure out what we are going to do.  

However long tour, then long lines and crowds in church, and little sleep and hunger pains equals lets get out of here.  I am sure you can all relate.