Rome and the Vatican City

As the saying goes, all roads lead to Rome, and, in many ways, to Vatican City as well. The two go hand in hand, like wine and cheese. When you visit one, you’ll almost certainly visit the other. And, of course, who wouldn’t want to see the magnificent Sistine Chapel?

Rome, Italy’s capital, is an incredible city with nearly 3,000 years of history, art, architecture, and culture on display. There is so much to see, from ancient ruins and the iconic Colosseum to beautiful piazzas and magnificent churches. Everywhere you look, you’ll find traces of the former glory of the Roman Empire.

Tourist Destinations

The city is full of famous attractions that are well worth seeing, from the incredible Pantheon, a former Roman temple that is now a church, to the iconic Trevi Fountain. I walked everywhere during my three days in Rome and explored as much as I could. Rome and Vatican City are definitely places to visit. And best discovered on foot.

Rome is home to more than 300 churches (and counting!), so you can imagine I visited quite a few. Each one was stunning in its own unique way.

I spontaneously wandered into Saint Peter in Chains and found myself standing in front of the tomb of Pope Julius II, complete with Michelangelo’s magnificent sculpture of Moses. What an unexpected surprise!

The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built and stands proudly in the heart of Rome. People from all over the world come to see it, and it truly is an impressive and iconic landmark. However, it was so crowded that I decided not to go inside. After all, I had already visited several Roman amphitheatres on my trip the previous year, including the stunning one in Pula (What to do in Pula). I simply didn’t feel the need to stand in a long queue.

P.S. I did return to Rome during the pandemic and finally visited the Colosseum. It was an incredible experience. There were hardly any tourists, but unfortunately, there was also a robbery. Read more in Rome and the Rome and the robbery that didn’t have to happen.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Rome and was excited to visit Vatican City and, of course, the Sistine Chapel next.

Rome Underground Secrets and Mysteries Tour

Instead of visiting the Colosseum, I decided to book an underground tour, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience. I chose the Underground Secrets & Mysteries tour with Together in Rome. My guide, Alessandro, is an archaeologist and his knowledge of ancient Rome was incredible.

I don’t usually book guided tours, but this semi-private tour, with just three of us, was well worth it. We visited the Basilica of San Clemente and its fascinating underground levels, as well as the Roman Houses beneath the Basilica dei Santissimi Giovanni e Paolo (Saints John and Paul). From original frescoes to breathtaking mosaics, it was a fascinating journey through ancient Rome that I thoroughly enjoyed. I can definitely recommend it. Best of all, there were no large tourist crowds to contend with.

The tour lasted three hours, and I learned so much about the hidden history, underground passages, and fascinating mysteries of ancient Rome. It was an interesting and memorable way to experience a different side of the city.

Whether you come to see the Sistine Chapel, explore Rome itself, or visit Vatican City, there is no shortage of incredible places to discover. Here is the link to get your own private tour.

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Rome City

It is really a beautiful city, and I could happily wander its streets for days, especially on a sunny day (the sun finally came out on my third day). The atmosphere is wonderful, with people relaxing at cafés, enjoying the local cuisine, and treating themselves to delicious gelato.

Having travelled through so many countries where men often seem to dominate the streetscape, it was refreshing to see women of all ages strolling around together. Looking stylish and happy, they chatted and laughed among themselves. Rome really is a city to slow down and enjoy.

That said, in between the beautiful architectures and buildings, there are the narrow back roads. And although the city is quite clean (let’s say I have seen it worse), you get a swift of strong urine smell from time to time. Not very pleasant.

Rome and The Vatican City

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are absolute must-sees. This was the part of my visit I was most excited about. After seeing the huge crowds at Florence Cathedral, I decided to pre-book my tickets. And I’m glad I did.

Vatican City is the world’s smallest independent country and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Simply being there is an incredible experience. St Peter’s Basilica is stunning, and Michelangelo’s magnificent frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are truly breathtaking. It’s hard to imagine the amount of detail, skill, and dedication that went into creating these masterpieces.

The Sistine Chapel is one of the greatest treasures of Vatican City, Rome, and the world. It is famous not only for its extraordinary decoration but also as the place where new popes are elected. I couldn’t wait to finally see it with my own eyes!

Funnily enough, the first thing I came across inside the Vatican Museum was an exhibition of Egyptian artefacts. Under normal circumstances, I would have found it fascinating. However, having just returned from Egypt myself, I decided to fast-track through that section to get to what I had really come to see. The Sistine Chapel!

To sum it up, Vatican City, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica were the absolute highlights of my Rome trip. They were breathtaking to see, and no photo could ever truly capture the experience. Besides, you’re not allowed to take photos of the famous Sistine Chapel ceiling anyway.

Some places simply have to be seen in person, and Rome and Vatican City are definitely among them. Not to mention the unforgettable Sistine Chapel!

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