Waiting for the Bus

With Wayne is Arianna, our Rome guide. We'll be catching the last public bus we'll ride in Italy. Tonight is a farewell dinner and tomorrow is the trip home. We're ready!

Swiss Guard

These were the only Swiss Guards we saw.

St. Peter

We were told that for good luck, rub St Peter's right foot. You can look at it and tell that thousands have rubbed it.

Inside St. Peter's

This church is unbelievably huge!

Pieta

Inside St. Peter's is the Pieta by Michelangelo. It is the only work by Michelangelo that he signed. He was 25 years old when he sculpted it, in 1499.

St. Peter's Basilica

We were blown away at the size of this building and the whole Vatican area. This is the largest church in the world,

Fountain

One of three fountains in the Piazza Navona.

Inside The Pantheon

I know! Another church interior, but every one of the 300 churches in Rome is different!

The Pantheon

This church is 2000 years old. I have heard of the Pantheon but never new what it was.

Catacombs

This afternoon, we took buses, along with another couple, to a catacomb area. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed. We bought some post cards to show when we get home.

Still More Forum

Isn't this awesome?

More Forum

It's hard to believe how much is still standing.

The Forum

This is a panoramic of a part of The Forum. This was the heart of the business and church area of the city.

Wooden Floor

This wooden floor, on the right hand side, is new. However, the original floor was in this same position and was built of wood.

Lower Level

This is the lower level that was below the floor, used for a holding area for animals, gladiators, etc.

Panorama

Wayne took this panorama with his IPhone.

Holes in Walls

The holes in the wall are from iron 'pegs' that were used to build the pillars. During WW1, the iron was taken out for military use. In some cases, a cement substance was inserted.

The Colosseum

Pictures don't do it justice! It's amazing that this humongous thing got built in (I think) three years. Of course, thousands of slaves did the labor.

Water

Very few restaurants will give you tap water; they want to sell you bottled water. This is taken in our hotel's courtyard.

Hall Of The Muses

Usually, you can exit the museum and go into Piazza S Pietro (Vatican Square). However, the Pope was giving an audience and was running late. We shall return there on Friday.

Look At The Tile Floor

Many of the rooms have tiled floors. This one is gorgeous.

One Of Many

The Vatican Museum contains sooooooo many statues, paintings, frescoes, and tapestries. Look at the details in this statue.

Poster Of Sistine Chapel

You aren't allowed to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel. There are posters of the Chapel in the gardens of the Vatican Museum.

St. Peter's Basilica

Today (Wednesday) we took a tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. This is taken from a garden area of the museum.

Trevi Fountain

Wayne took this on the walking tour.

Piazza di Spagna

On the walking tour, Wayne took this pic from the top of the Spanish Steps.

Tackling The Subway

Tuesday was our first full day in Rome. Our new tour guide took the group on a walking/riding tour. I didn't go because I had the crud (head and throat). This is the group's subway lesson.

Bridge Over The Tiber River

This is one of many bridges that span the Tiber River,

Bus Ride Through Rome

I don't remember what this is, but it's very impressive.

Ride By The Colosseum

When we got to Rome, we took a bus tour of the city. These next few pictures are taken from inside the bus.  We'll be visiting the Colosseum on Thursday.

Inside The Abbey

The gardens inside the Abbey are beautiful.

Polish Cemetery

You can see the Polish cemetery from the Abbey.

Montecassino Abbey

On the way to Rome, we stopped at this Abbey which lies at the top of a high hill. There was a fierce battle here during WWII between the allies and the Germans. 

Delish!

This was pretty good cake!

Last Dinner in Sorrento

This was a pretty lively dinner. The two musicians took requests and everyone sang. I'm sure the other diners thought we were crazy!

Lunch in Sorrento

On our last full day in Sorrento, Wayne and I went into town for a pizza lunch. This is a sausage and bacon pizza. Notice what looks like vienna sausage; it tasted like vienna sausage, too. The bacon was two uncooked strips of bacon! We spent the afternoon packing. We head for Rome tomorrow (Monday).

Waiting For Return Trip

While waiting for the boat for the return trip, I picked up a couple of rocks. Hope they were native and not imported!

View From Anacapri

This is the view from the higher area called Anacapri.

Search For Lens Cap

Wayne's lens cap fell below. That's our Capri guide climbing the ladder to retrieve it. He deserved an extra tip!

Waiting For Bus To Anacapri

We took a bus to a higher area of the island called Anacapri. There were some harrowing switchbacks on the road.

Gardens #3

Sorry if I put too many of these shots, but they're beautiful!

Gardens #2

Continuing down the walkway!

Gardens

This island has some beautiful spots!

Awesome Shoreline

This is from the same viewing spot as the last picture; just a turn to the left.

Majestic View

This is a view from the side of the island opposite the boat docks.

Toilette With A View

I don's really have to say anything else, right?

Flora

Just a little garden we spied while walking to the other side of the island.

Tree???

This is actually a cactus!

Capri

This was taken after we rode the funicular up to the area where the ritzy shops are located.

On The Boat

We're on the way to the island of Capri. Even though I have a patch on and took a nausea pill, I'm praying that I don't get motion sickness!