Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum

SISTINE CHAPEL AND VATICAN MUSEUM



Tonight would be the "icing on the cake" of the tour -- an after hours, private tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum.  It had been a long, hot day, but after a quick shower and change of clothes, I was more than ready for the evening.  We rode the bus back to the Vatican and had a light (by Italian standards) dinner outdoors at a little restaurant next to the Museum.  (This is reportedly unusual. Apparently Tauck had guilt-tripped the Vatican over the postponement of our scheduled visit which had resulted in moving up our planned farewell dinner.) Having had our sustenance, including wine, we entered the Museum and immediately began enjoying the sculptures and artifacts. 








Then we entered the Sistine Chapel with our group along with 4-5 other Tauck groups, each with our own guide. (I was shocked at how small it is.) That meant that we were there with about 140 people rather than the thousands one is typically herded through with during normal visiting hours.  We had heard horror stories about how you're constantly reminded to keep your cell phone put away so you won't take pictures, to keep quiet, and to keep moving through without stopping.  Our group, however, spent about an hour listening on our Vox Boxes to Franco, our guide, tell us about Michelangelo and how he came to paint the ceiling of the Chapel. He then talked us through the paintings on the ceiling and walls panel by panel. It was like an Ivy League education!  Leaving the Sistine Chapel, we walked down long hallways of the Museum and saw a variety of maps, paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.  It was an incredible experience!

















Earlier several in our group had discussed getting together for a parting drink when we returned to the hotel.  After the long day, however, and knowing that almost all of us faced an even longer travel day tomorrow, I think everyone elected to call it a wrap for the night and the tour.  Susan and I certainly did.  Upon our return to our room, we repacked our bags for the final time, as we had to be ready to head for the airport tomorrow morning.

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