Roma Holidaying - Day 2

Here we go again!

It's the Vatican City first stop! With great guidance from our bed and breakfast host, Mila, we took two local buses to get to the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It seems like every single tourist in all of Rome decides to be in the Vatican City today as well. The lines were bearable, every visitor needs to pass through metal detectors and the 'clothes security' to get the okay before getting in the Basilica. Bare shoulders, shorts or skirts lower than the knees are a big no no. They have signs all over before you waste your time waiting in line but we still saw a handful of tourists being turned away from not following the proper clothing requirements (it is a church, after all). We saw a lot of peddlers selling scarfs along the way to the Basilica from the bus stop and it all began to make good sense. Those not dressed-appropriately can just buy a scarf and cover up to get in.

Details inside the Basilica

Anyways, we got in fast and it is just as crazy inside the Basilica. We can't seem to be able to find any map so we just went with the flow of tourists. Right in front of the main entrance, you can join a tour for 10 to 15 euro per person and it seemed to be a popular option to a lot. We saw tour guides holding their 'tour flags' high up (marked by different scarf colors, umbrella), leading their own groups around the Basilica. Very detailed decor overall, I am extremely impressed by the amount effort invested to build the Basilica. We took our time taking pictures inside before heading to the Dome.

You can either go up the dome (550 steps) by just walking the stairs (pay 5 euro) or you can take the elevator (pay 10 euro per person) and still have to hike a good (320-ish steps). Definitely not for the old, physically disadvantaged (size-wise as well) or if you are claustrophobic.

Nice break but 320 steps more to go!

Tight!

So after another 550 more steps hiking down from the Dome I was pretty drained. Lunched on the steps of the St Peter's Square (we bought fruits from the morning market not too far from where we stayed). Decided to just head back the bed and breakfast place and rest for the rest of the day and do some planning for the next day's trip. Day 5 of NO RICE! The horror, absolute horror!

View from the top - beautiful