Day 3 was perhaps the most exciting day for us. First up in the morning was the appointment I made for the Galleria Borghese- there was rave reviews about it on tripadvisor. An appointment was made for 9AM 2 weeks in advance. It was a little out of the way from the main tourist thoroughfare, in a nice little park.
The building itself was magnificent- gorgeous and like a villa.
No pictures were allowed inside the Galleria, but it was magnificent with lots of artwork and sculptures. However, it was quite arty and I didn't enjoy it as much as someone else more inclined toward the arts. Our group felt the same way. Was it because of our scientific backgrounds? or perhaps because we are young? Whatever it is, I thought half a day could've been better spent elsewhere in Rome.
At 11AM when we were chased out, (2 hour max visits) we headed off to the main part of Vatican City. As fate would have it, the Pope himself was conducting mass! Though he was just a white speck amongst the sea of people, we felt really lucky to have met the Pope. I mean, how often do you see the pope? :biggrin:
It was off to the Vatican Museum after that. Thankfully, there were almost no crowds (perhaps due to the mass) and we got in with minimal queuing. full cost was 16€ but students get in for 8€. The main attraction obviously being the Sistine Chapel.
Vatican Museum is absolutely huge, and one has to walk a long way to the end of the Museum, the Sistine Chapel. All the male sculptures have their bits *censored* with stone leaves. hehe
Hint: those with less time, the main famous Raphael bits are toward the end, ie this fresco:
and the famous Sistine chapel where photography is not allowed...but I didn't know till I snapped this shot and someone told me not to.
and of course, the famous spiral staircase down Vatican Museum
Thereafter was a visit to St Peters Basilica, which reopened after mass. It is mind blowing, big, magnificent, and just really fit to be the crown in the Vatican's jewel.
And the Swiss Guard who guard the Vatican.