Virtual tour of the Vatican.

**bindeweede** · 9th March 2010, 09:55 PM

http://www.vatican.va/various/basili.../index-en.html

(Can be a bit slow loading, but fun, as you can pan round, up, zoom in, etc.)

Gorgeous. Wonder where the money came from........?

**Drop Bear** · 10th March 2010, 01:11 AM

Gorgeous. Wonder where the money came from........?

'Gorgeous' is actually an understatement for the reality. 'Breathtaking' comes closer.

I was gobsmacked by St Peter's and the Sistine Chapel. It was off season and they had just finished cleaning the ceiling of the Sistine. i was allowed to lie on the floor for some time, and gaze up. It was wonderful.

Who paid for it? I assume that's a lovely example of subtle English wit.

**Julia** · 10th March 2010, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Drop Bear

It was off season

For the love of dog, DON'T visit the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel at the height of the tourist season. I did this a couple of years ago and it was TORTURE of the sort the Spanish Inquistion would be proud of. Almost three hours in the blistering heat queuing to get in, so many people I was carried along by the stampede and lost the rest of my tour group, a woman standing near me had her handbag stolen...a complete nightmare! Yes, it's well worth seeing but the thought I came away with was "What a colossal racket this is".

**skbuncks** · 10th March 2010, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Julia

.... "What a colossal racket this is".

I find it hard to reconcile that phrase with my image of the catholic church.

skb

**Drop Bear** · 10th March 2010, 07:02 PM

@ Julia

Funny what sticks in your mind. In the Vatican it was a stunningly vulgar souvenir shop (run by nuns) just outside the Sistine chapel. Them 30 minutes later ,outside the Vatican being charged 3000 lire for the worst espresso I've ever had, in a plastic cup. I think the Italians hate tourists even more than the French. Or are they simply more venal?

I seldom travel anywhere in peak season. One major exception was UK in 2000.I was there May- July. However I spent most to the time staying with friends in Cambridge,with a few weeks off backpacking around Southern Ireland and Scotland. I stayed mainly at Youth Hostels, had a ball. I was 52 at the time.