Stairs - Rome Day 2

Taking into consideration all we have seen it's hard to believe we've only been touring for 2 days. This morning we went to the Vatican museum. Our guide took us a 'different' way than I'm used to and we saw lots of great things. Katie & I both learned things today such as the reason much of the statuary is important is because it was used as models for the figures in the paintings in the Sistine Chapel. The chapel is always one of the highlights of the day. You can see it in books, on slides, or in movies but nothing does it the justice of seeing it in person.

After the museum we went to St. Peter's cathedral & took a quick look about. They were set up for something big so we couldn't see all of the basilica but we still had a great visit. Next we went up to the top of the dome. Us wimps of the group took an elevator to the roof and then walked the remaining 320 stairs (Matt counted 369) The brave ones started at ground level and added another 200 to that count.

After that we took our first trip as a group on the Metro. They were great! We ended up at the Spanish Steps - add another 168 to the last total. The kids then had free time for a few hours. Some went to museums, some to other famous sites, some just shopped. We then stopped at St. Peitro Vincoli. This is famous for Michaelangelo's Moses and because the chains that bound Peter as he was brought to Rome are there. Our last stop of the night was the Trevi Fountain. The kids all threw in a coin meaning they all wish to return to Rome!

This last photo is the view around the corner from our hotel. Spectacular!