4.08.2008

All Set For The Vatican - Summer Vacation Update3

Well Pope Benedict XVI, ready or not, here we come! :) Kidding aside, I booked a tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica with Presto Tours which came highly recommended in the Frommers and TripAdvisor forums.(http://www.prestotours.com/vaticantour.html)

They weren't the first tour company I've checked. I looked at Viator tours (group numbers are too large (25+), Eternity tours (more emphasis on art - so I think this will bore the kids) and others. I finally decided on Presto tours because for one, they have smaller group sizes. Their tour guides are native English language speakers compared to other tours wherein the guides are Italian who speak English. There is a big difference there because when you're in the tour, you want to hear the explanation clearly and there are no accents to distract you.

I've also asked for tickets for the Wednesday Papal Blessing at St. Peter's Square from the American Catholic Church in Rome. These tickets are free and will assure you seats during the event. They do not mail tickets since they only get them the day before so it needs to be picked up on Tuesday evening. You can also just show up there on a Wednesday but you'd have to stand with the others who don't have tickets. It's going to be crowded but it is something I really want to go to.

Being a Catholic, visiting the Vatican is one of my lifetime dreams. So you can imagine how excited I am to be able to finally do this. I am looking forward to seeing the Sistine Chapel, Michaelangelo's Pieta and Raphael's paintings among others. Sharing this experience with my husband and kids will make it extra special. Amber is also excited to go to the Vatican. She's learned about it in school during their religion class. We hope to catch a glimpse of Pope Benedict XVI and get his blessing. Two more months and I will finally see the Vaticano with my own eyes. When that time comes, I am sure I will be awestruck.
With this done, now I'm off to make reservations to see Michaelangelo's statue of David at the Accademia and Botticelli's painting the 'Birth Of Venus' in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. :)

If you and your family are planning your vacation any time of the year, there are a lot of choices to consider. Pretty much anyone can enjoy some fun Hawaii vacation packages. There are tons of adventurous vacation trips to book with family and friends like cheap ski vacations or even Hawaii vacations. Its nice to be able to take a trip in the sun or enjoy other things on a vacation and get away from everyday life. So go ahead, start planning that vacation and truly enjoy time with your family.

3 comments:

  1. Way to go! Don't forget my postcard.

    Loannah

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  2. Wow! lapit na talaga Barb,2 months nalang bakasyon grande na nyo.Excited na ang buong pamilya :)

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  3. Lou, send mo ang address mo. :)

    Oo nga Amor, lapit na talaga. Exciting nga. :)

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