Vatican City

Booking in advance is a must. The Q is terrible, surrounded half of the city, at least thousands of people. There are also a lot people touting for the tour around but not sure whether is it a legal guide in Vatican.

 

Booking directly with Vatican here.

Metro to Ottaviano, 3 stops from Spagna.

This is the Q for advance booking.

32eur for Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel guided tour (3hrs). 



After going through security check, we collected our tickets and wait for our guide here in the hall.

Everyone of us is provided a disposable ear piece and radio for the tour.

We brought our own:)

The guide walk pretty fast, no chance stopping to take photos at all.

Too many people and would lose the guide if stop.

 Vatican Museum

 



The summer weather is already unbearable and there are no air-conditioning in the museum. 

The art work is amazing, using tiny mosaic.

Another mosaic floor

We are only allowed not more than 10mins in Sistine Chapel, the painting on the ceiling is incredible.

The place is fully packed with people, no photos taking, and some smell of bo...

 

Total relieved after getting out of the place.

Saint Peter Basilica

Entrance is free

St Peter's Square

At the centre of the square is a 4000yr old Egyptian obelisk, 25.5m tall, erected at the site in 1568.



 Make sure you do not need to go back in again, once step out and will not be allow to go back in.

The Vatican Post Office is just next to the Swiss guard.

 

Swiss Guard

 St Peter's Square Colonnades

The colonnades define the piazza. The elliptical center of the piazza, which contrasts with the trapezoidal entrance, encloses the visitor with "the maternal arms of Mother Church" in Bernini's expression. On the south side, the colonnades define and formalize the space, with the Barberini Gardens still rising to a skyline of umbrella pines. On the north side, the colonnade masks an assortment of Vatican structures; the upper stories of the Vatican Palace rise above.

Finally, the first Chinese restaurant we seen in Italy!

Set lunch for 9eur each. Average but at least it is freshly cook and hot!

 

您好餐饭

 

Fried rice

Curry rice

Deep Fried Wanton (although it don't look like)

Kung Bao Chicken

Prawn cracker

  Castel Sant'Angelo