We had an okay lunch in Il Bar Restaurant Le Terrazze near the top of the Castel. Great views...mediocre restaurant. I have no idea why we were presented with a several page menu...because it turned out they had only three pasta selections available, or a couple of sandwich choices. Not being in the mood for carbonara or hot and spicy pasta, and not being a huge fan of clams, I opted for a sandwich...tuna to be specific. (My other choices were ham and cheese, or tomato and cheese). Dry, dry sandwich without a lot of filling...my suggestion? Give their tuna sandwich a pass!! In fact, I would say go here ONLY for an espresso (or capuccino etc) and to enjoy the view in a shady and breezy locale.
Next we rode the bus to the Vatican museums. We accidentally went through the (empty) line up for group tours - seriously, we didn't do it on purpose - and were quickly inside to purchase our tickets. The place was (duh) jam-packed with other tourists. We basically zipped straight on through the first few rooms, since were mainly interested in seeing the Raphael rooms and the Sistine Chapel. Raphael's School of Athens fresco was just as stunning as we'd remembered.
After we pulled ourselves out of the Sistine Chapel (no photos...the guards were just too darn omnipresent!), we exited the Museums through a different route than we'd taken when there a few years ago. We went through several rooms of modern art (or at least art from a more modern time period, no clue what style or movement or whatever it was.) A few pieces caught my eye, including a wooden relief of Jesus in a boat. Along one of the corridors, there were some old marble tables, which were gorgeously intricate.
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The church is beautiful, but my interior shots are not really worth posting (only had my cell phone camera with me, which takes fantastic pics, but not so good in dimly lit church buildings or when close ups are in order.)
After this unexpected delight, it was time to head 'home'. We made our way across the river (after again mildly losing our way!), then caught a bus back to via Crescenzio. The Tiber was lovely this evening, still as glass and reflecting the clouds.
We ate in, once again winding down by relaxing with a glass of wine on our terrace, admiring the parasol pines and the warm night air...ahhhh, heaven!
3 comments:
What IS it about Italian yogurt -- I never tire of it! (yet another reason for an apartment rather than a hotel!) And I also love that spiral staircase at the Vatican Museums. Sounds like a really wonderful, Roman day!
If you think Italian yoghurt is amazing head over to Athens and indulge there. *smile*
Hi Anne, I am really enjoying the photos that you're taking and hearing about your wonderful explorations. Always something fun and interesting. I also love that sprial staircase shot. I really get in awe looking at the Sistine Chapel. So amazing. The water fountain sounds pretty cool.
I'm glad to hear that you are both enjoying yourselves. It sounds like you have a wonderful balance of sightseeing and relaxating times. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. Keep on having fun...
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