Survivor Tours

 

People in Line to Enter the Vatican Museums
Vatican City
8:21 AM, May 11, 2024

Chris and I played a game of survival tour today. 

Yes. For some reason, known only to me, I thought planning two three-hour tours on the same day would be a good idea. Maybe it was until, due to policy changes by the Italian government, our second tour of the day got moved up to 1:30 PM from 3 PM meaning that we had to hurry lunch and could not return to our AirBnB to freshen up before the second tour. 

The tours were both 3-hour scheduled tours, first of the morning with a 7:50 AM show time was the Vatican for Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. 

The second was a tour of the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Two great tours that deserved a day alone for each. I know better now!

St Peter's Basilica
Vatican City
May 11, 2024

The three-hour Vatican tour went four-hours! We learned more about the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica than we ever knew possible. Our tour guide was brilliant and we loved it. The big downer of the day? Crowds! OMG-the crowds of people were suffocating. 

Did I mention the crowds were suffocating? I have not been in crowds like this, ever! And it did not stop until we got off the Metro and returned to our AirBnB at the end of the day.

Did I have enough time to enjoy the Vatican museum and its collections? No!

The day started cold, in the 50s and quickly warmed into the high 70s. The skies were clear blue, as can be seen in the photos. The cold start to the morning meant we were over-dressed for most of the day. 

Swiss Guards
Vatican City
May 11, 2024

The Sistine Chapel was fabulous--well, except for the crowds. No pictures are allowed in the Sistine Chapel. I enjoyed seeing the Swiss Guards in their Medieval uniforms. Should I call them cute? It was also awe inspiring to see the place where St. Peter was crucified right behind where I took the image of the Swiss guards. 

We received an expert tour from our guide and we learned more about the painters and the sculptors commissioned by the popes than we ever thought possible. It was interesting both of the tours were insistent that we bring our passports for proof identity, but no one ever checked them. 

The Coliseum Under the Floor
Rome, Italy
May 11, 2024

Returning to the Coliseum, during the afternoon, for an inside tour was exciting.

The Coliseum is just--unimaginable. Yes, we see it in film and pictures, but to see it in person and understand the significance of the structure to the Romans and to grasp their ability to conquer technical engineering feats is remarkable.

We were fortunate to have as our guide a person who is working on her doctorate about bricks used by the Romans and who has extensively studied the Coliseum and participated in archaeological digs of Roman construction. The insights she provided during our over three-hours together were incredible. 

Chris and I on Palatine Hill
Rome, Italy
May 11, 2024

Her depth of knowledge and expertise was evident throughout the Coliseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. I have to admit, it is pretty incredible that modern Rome has allowed so much of its valuable real estate to be preserved to enable understanding the past and the Roman Empire. 

Did we see where Julius Caesar was assassinated? Yes.

Did we see where the Vestal Virgins lived? Yes. Did we enjoy the palace of the emperors? Yes. 

Am I overloaded? Most definitely yes. 

Did I allocate enough time for these tours? No.

Were we exhausted as the day drew to a close? Yes.

Did I spend over $100 on taxis to get from one place to another during the day? Sadly, yes. 

Am I in awe of the Romans and the Catholic Church? Yes.

Am I on information overload? Yes!

At the end of the day Chris and I had walked over 14,000 steps equating to over 6 miles! This was definitely a game of survivor tour.

Can Day 4 top Day 3? I hope not. Even as I write this I am feeling the exhaustion of the day. Tomorrow is planned to be a much slower day. And Monday we transfer to our cruise for 12 days. I am looking forward to a slower pace on the cruise.

Rome. It is not a place, it is an experience.

-- Bob Doan, Rome, Italy