There are so many things to do in Rome, but since we only had three days in this beautiful city, Contiki made sure we’ll be able to visit all the important places we need to go to. We already saw a lot of historical places during our first day, so we spent the following morning going around the Vatican City. For a first timer like me, this is really the place to visit.
The line to get inside is very long everyday, but since we’re part of the Contiki group, we skipped the queue. Yay!
Within Vatican City are religious and cultural sites such as the Sistine Chapel, the famous St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. I still can’t believe I saw them with my own eyes.
Their museums are huge and they have incredible paintings inside like works of Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto di Bondone, Raphael and more. Of course, I was in awe when I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo. Now that is what you call high renaissance art. I still can’t believe someone painted all that!!! I don’t have a photo of it because picture taking isn’t allowed, but you can just google the images if you want to. Lol.
I also got to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, which is one of the largest churches in the world. This is where The Pope presides a number of liturgies throughout the year, either within the Basilica or the connecting St. Peter’s Square– I also got to attend a day before this visit. I still feel so blessed and lucky to have seen The Pope in person and to hear mass. Aaaaaah.
Bye Rome! Next up: Amalfi Coast. But before going to this amazing destination, we dropped by Pompeii, which is an ancient town in Naples. It was declared a world Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Pompeii used to be a busy area until Mount Vesuvius erupted more than 50 times in AD 79 and mostly destroyed everything. More than two thousand people dies and the city was under a thick carpet of volcanic ash. It was only around 1748 when explorers rediscovered the area and found out that Pompeii was still intact.
I was so annoying I kept playing Bastille’s song Pompeii on all my snaps. Hahahaha!
When we were going around the site, Mama Contiki Maite told us to observe the area. We saw a lot of nude statues, obscene sculptures and genital drawings on the walls. This is actually an extraordinary witness to the role that erotica played in the life of the Romans back then. Be prepared to see some paintings and sculptures I personally took photos of.
Italy is indeed beautiful and its rich in history and culture. I’m glad I got to experience it with my Contiki Mediterranean Escape group. Next up: Amalfi Coast! BMS.