Rome, Italy, 12/6

Due to our rough weather we were late getting into Rome (arrived around noon) so our tour got shortened. Fortunately, we got on the first bus (ran for it) and got off earlier than the rest. Our itinerary shortened but had some great surprises in store. We drove 1 hr 15 min into Rome from the port. The countryside was lovely. We then got into the city and the old section. Had a fantastic lunch at the MichaelAngelo Hotel. All of a sudden we could see the dome of St Peter's. We walked into St Peter's Square (which is oval) and our tour guide gave us a wonderful history. They were putting up the Christmas Tree. We did a tour of St Peter's the largest church in the world (seats 55,000+), nothing here could describe it, the beauty, the artwork but the pictures are not pictures at all but mosaic which are incredible. We have lots of pics. The short version is - we went through the Vatican Museum after hours (with only 120 people from our ship who were given a special tour), antiquities galore and tapestries over 400 years old which look new. When we were in the Sistine Chapel there were only 44 of us and our guide. What a special time, we were given about 20-25 minutes to walk around, sit, pray, it is a miraculous place. They cleaned the paintings some 20 years ago (since my Dad was there in the 60s) and the brillant colors of Michael Angelo's paintings can't be described. It was like the Bible coming alive with Moses, Noah, Christ, the Prophets, Creation and the Last Judgement. It could only have been inspired by our Lord as he painted. We walked blocks to the bus and then went to the Trevi Fountain, threw in coins and took pictures in the nighttime glow of the lights on the marble statues. Off on the buses again (only a block according to the tour guide but more like a mile to us). Passed by the Forum (where Casear was killed), the Colosseum all lit up and many other parks, the statue of Moses, etc. We loved Rome and want to go back. Off to another day at sea and Barcelona.