"Catholic Capital of the World-Vatican... " a Vatican City Travel Page by msbrandysue

I am not Catholic by any means but I thoroughtly enjoyed my visit to Vatican City through Trafalgar Tours. In fact, after spending the day there I seriously thought about converting haha. I, again, was on part of a tour and they brought us here VERY early to try to beat the crowds. If I went again (which I would love to do) I would definitely do it on my own time without a guide. It's a great place to visit while pondering your own insignificance.

After you go through the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel there is a walkway that will lead you right into St. Peter's Basilica. It is the most beautiful church I've ever been in. I love how they continued their services (mass) amongst tourists and guides talking.

Here I found the most brilliant sculpture/tomb/art I've ever seen. It is for one of the popes named Alexander which is SUCH a coinsedence that it's my last name :) It is hard to see in this picture (since flash is not acceptable). It is a skeleton reaching out from under a velvet rug with a sand timer in his hand. It really meant a lot to me as in we only have so much time on this planet. Spend your time wisely...

The Vatican Museum...This is a great historic museum. I especially loved the ceilings and the maps of history. Sure, we've heard in the 1500s they thought the world was flat but seeing the maps as they thought the world was in those days was truly amazing. And, who could not feel more alive than being in the middle of the Sistine Chapel?