Day Two - Vatican City

For day two of your journey, head to Vatican City, an independent sovereign state and home of the papacy. Begin at St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro). Bernini designed the magnificent piazza from 1656 to 1667, and it can hold an astounding 300,000 individuals. Massive Doric columns encircle the ellipse-shaped piazza, with an Egyptian obelisk monument at its center.

 

St. Peter’s Basilica is traditionally considered to be St. Peter’s burial site. Construction began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. Michelangelo, who became the chief architect in 1546, designed the colossal dome. Inside you can view several famous artworks including Bernini’s baldacchino (altar canopy) and Michelangelo’s Pieta, sculpted when he was still in his early 20s.

 

The Vatican Museums contain a mind-boggling collection of treasures. You can choose from four different tour itineraries, depending on how much time you have or what you are interested in. One of them takes you to the legendary Sistine Chapel, where you can view Michelangelo’s glorious ceiling.