In the morning we set out for Vatican City. We walked at what we call "young adult" pace; fast enough for those with longer legs, but requiring those like myself to occasionally resort to a semi-trot. The Vatican was the most crowded museum we've visited so far. Every room required careful navigation as we had to avoid the cameras and feet of other guests while keeping an eye on the back of our leader's head. The museum, however, was definitely worth the crowds, especially the Sistine Chapel. "Shush"ers lined the walls and guards motioned us forward, hoping to keep the movement in the room at a steady flow. It was a true tourist
experience.
That night a few of us visited a Castle nearby the Vatican that contained secret pathways used by the Popes to get from their private rooms in the Vatican to the Castle of St. Angelo. The passage was part tunnel and part bridge. We could not walk all the way to the Vatican but it was amazing to think that former Popes had stood where we were standing.
It was almost midnight when we finally left the Castle and we went for one last Gelatto to complete our time in Rome.
