STUNNING ART
We initially signed up for the 7:30 A.M. small group tour of the Vatican Museums. But, upon further reflection, it seemed too much with jet lag et al, to go that early. So we changed the tour time to a more civilized 9:45 and then walked to the meeting point. Seeing the art was worthwhile, but the overall experience is exhausting and strenuous. Our group totaled 22 plus our guide, Julie. We thought the group size would be no more than 12! Julie was superb—well informed, organized, and kept us moving! And we had little radios and earpieces which made it possible to both hear her clearly and stay focused on the building and the paintings.
But, and it’s a big but, the Vatican allows so many thousands (and I mean thousands!) of people to be in the buildings at one time that you are always in a packed crowd and have to move very slowly up and down the many staircases and contend with tiers of folks in front of every significant work. Doing this for three and a half hours is wearing! As a former museum educator, I fault them for cramming in so many people. They charge a high price and the crowding detracts from one’s enjoyment. Our tour also included the Sistine Chapel (also packed) and the interior of St. Peter’s. About the only spaces that weren’t wall to wall people were several of the Raphael Rooms.
Mornings in Rome are lovely and we enjoyed the walk to the Vatican and also another walk this morning. There are not as many people on the street, businesses are just gearing up for the day, the piazzas, Navona in particular, and the Pantheon are less full, and the light is lovely.
Note: Text and photos by JWFarrington (some rights reserved).
