Italy-Day 7, Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel

We were up bright and early to catch a ride into the Vatican City for a tour of the Museum and the Sistine Chapel.

We were able to get some photos of  the Colosseum while en route.

Once we were at the Vatican, we were met by a tour guide and were able to enter the grounds without the long wait in line.

We entered the Vatican Museum, filled with so many pieces of artwork, it was overwhelming.  No photos were allowed in this museum, but we did get some photos in the garden as we walked to another museum.

We walked through room after room of exquisite art and sculptures on the way to the Sistine Chapel.  There is no air conditioning in this museum to preserve the art.  As you can see, it was very crowded, and it was VERY warm.  I was overwhelmed.  

The Sistine Chapel was air-conditioned, but it was wall-to-wall people that were kept moving by security.  Frank and I were able to make it to the back of the chapel, where we found a couple of seats on a bench.  We were able to spend a few minutes admiring the artwork on the walls and, of course, Michelangelo's work on the ceiling.  There were no photos allowed.

In the afternoon, we transferred from the Relais Terrace Pantheon to the Kolbe Hotel in Rome, where we were met by Anton, our guide for the next week with Collette Tours.  We had a wonderful welcome dinner at the hotel, as Anton explained what we could expect during our Umbrian/Tuscan tour.