St. Valentine's Head

Because nothing says love quite like the head of St. Valentine himself!

Visit the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome (also the location of the Mouth of Truth) to see this relic for yourself. You can read about our "Liars & Lovers" visit in July 2014 here!

Tears & Tantrums at the Trevi Fountain

Many world-class attractions in the world come with a mandatory tourist tradition. At Blarney Castle in Ireland, one must kiss the Blarney Stone to gain the gift of eloquence. When visiting the Louvre in Paris, taking a photo with the glass pyramid in the palm of your hand or dangling from your fingers is obligatory. And when in Rome, one cannot pass up the opportunity to toss a coin over the shoulder into the Trevi Fountain to guarantee a return trip to the Eternal City.

But when we were in Rome, we were denied the coin-tossing tradition.

I blame the fuzziness on disappointment.

Not gonna lie - I was pretty much at the point of tears when I came around the corner and saw all the scaffolding. The magnificent Trevi Fountain was undergoing renovations (anticipated to finish in Fall 2015). A television screen was playing footage of what the Trevi Fountain looks like with water in it, and a small marble basin sat near the construction site for tourists to toss a coin over their shoulders. But that's like waving an ice cream cone beneath the nose of a diabetic. It just makes you feel worse about not getting the real deal.

While Danny lingered around the square to take a few pictures of the site, I retreated back down the alley from which we came, ready to go back to the hotel and lick my wounds. Other English-speaking tourists were also voicing disappointment, and I felt particular kinship to a toddler throwing a temper tantrum nearby. It's hard traveling halfway around the world only to have a site closed for renovations, isn't it, little guy? Then again, maybe the tantruming toddler was just upset because he dropped his gelato cone...

Let's just hope the fountain is flowing and bubbling by the time I get around to returning to Rome!

Have you ever traveled somewhere only to discover that a site was closed for some reason? How did/do you handle it?

Linking up for #WeekendWanderlust!

Linking up for #TravelTuesday!

PSA: Fowl Play in Rome

This may or may not have been the bird that pooped on me today. See here: www.Facebook.com/thriftygypsytravels #rome #ttot #travel

A photo posted by The Thrifty Gypsy's Travels (@thriftygypsy87) on Jul 8, 2014 at 11:01am PDT

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!  
Authorities advise that you be on the lookout for the feathery miscreant shown above, warning that you could be its next victim!

On or about the 8th day of July in the year 2014 at approximately 15:00, an innocent visitor to the city of Rome was viciously and callously attacked.  To whit, she was doused in a liquid secretion which one could only describe as "fowl."  Adding insult to injury, the reprobate seemingly taunted the victim with raucous squawking and cawing, posed cheekily for a picture against the Roman skyline, then vanished into the skies.

If you have any information leading to the arrest or capture of this perpetrator, please call Rome's Aviary-Criminal Hotline at +39 CRY FOWL (279 3695)*.  Operators are standing by, and you could win a cash reward.

BE AWARE.  BE PREPARED.  DON'T BE THE NEXT VICTIM.

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For more embarrassing tales from Rome, be sure to read about the pizza throwing incident of Pompeii or when I accidentally hit a waiter in Rome.

* Obviously this number does not exist.  But if you do call it, let me know what happens!

The "Crotch-Shot" Fiasco of Rome

Traveling can be a risky business.  Beyond the inconveniences of losing luggage, missing flights, or getting robbed, there's the even more perilous situations, like, stepping on a piece of gum as soon as you step out of the train station, or accidentally throwing your pizza all over the floor.  Do you know how much a slice will set you back in Italy?!  Didn't your mother ever tell you that euros don't grow on trees?

The struggle is real. Including the typo fail.

However, perhaps the most embarrassing moment of our 2014 Italy trip occurred on our first night in Rome.  We arrived later than expected, thanks to the punctual prowess of Italy's public transport, and eagerly took the restaurant recommendation of our hotel's concierge to placate our growling stomachs.  Tired from the hike up Mt Vesuvius that morning and the extended train ride from Naples to Rome, it would be fair to assess my nerves as a bit frazzled.

Danny and I were seated at Ristorante Babbo's outdoor tables, directly next to the main aisle across from the shelves of wine.  With a glass of the house white in hand and bruschetta to nibble on until our entrees arrived, I could feel the stress starting to melt away.  I fidgeted with my dress straps as we discussed the next day's itinerary.  And then, it happened.

"Oomph!"

As I adjusted my dress, elbows out, I gave a firm shot to the crotch of a passing waiter.  Only impeccable training and composure saved his tray from an untimely fall as he clutched himself in pain.

"Scusi, signora," he gasped, as I sank back into my chair in utter mortification, before he turned and walked away quickly, albeit gingerly.

"I need another glass of wine," I said to Danny as I downed mine.  "Only in Italy could you give an elbow shot to your waiter's crotch and he's the one to apologize to you."

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The look on the waiter's face after my ill-timed elbow.

Have you ever embarrassed yourself while on vacation?  Please, spill the beans!

Linking up with other travel bloggers for #SundayTraveler!

Wining & Dining in Rome

It almost goes without saying that you can't visit Italy without encountering at least one spectacular meal.  We enjoyed our favorite meal in Pompei at Hostaria Plinio, but Rome brought their A-game with great cuisine and superb service.  Sadly, as per typical DanTrina foodie-fest-coma-fashion, we neglected to think about taking pictures of our meals until, well, our plates were nearly clean and the point moot.

However, there were a few stand-out meals we wished to share, some with our own photos and some used with permission from similar bloggers' experiences at various Roman eateries:

(C) Expat Gourmand  Photo not from Babbo's.

Ristorante Babbos

http://www.babbos.it/

After a delayed arrival in Rome (thanks to the mind-blowing punctuality of the Italian public transportation system, cough-cough), we were famished and desperate for food.  A recommendation from our hotel's concierge brought our empty stomachs to Ristorante Babbos, a few blocks northwest of Termini station.  A small fence separated the tables from the street in this restaurant's charming outdoor setting, and waiters in white coats and towels draped over their arms served us ice-cold water and tasty Italian wines.  We began our meal with bruschetta, which may actually have bested what we enjoyed in Pompei.  Danny silenced his hunger monsters with a large margherita pizza, and I satisfied mine with a plate of lasagna.  We had no complaints with the taste or the portions, but it didn't wow our taste buds as much as the bruschetta.  Overall it was a solidly enjoyable meal, but it did not prove to be our best in Rome.

Price range: $$
Appetizers: 5-6 euros
Pasta dishes: 9-10 euros
Pizza: 8-10 euros
Beer: 3-4 euros (per glass or half liter)

Wine: 4-5 euros
Service: 5 out of 5
Bang for your Buck Value: 4 out of 5
Location: Via Volturno 13, in the same block as the Piazza delle Finanze

The Steak House
TripAdvisor Site

Don't let the name of this restaurant turn you off as being inauthentic - we ate at this restaurant twice during our five night stay in Rome, and other than street vendors and Hostaria Plinio in Pompei, it's the only place we enjoyed enough to revisit while in Italy.  In spite of the generic, almost American-sounding name, the cuisine at this establishment was intrinsically Italian and mouth-wateringly good.  Between both our visits, we enjoyed spaghetti, lasagna, alfredo, bruschetta, pizza, and copious glasses of wine.  The lasagna was the best:  generous inclusions of beef, the perfect ratio of cheese, and pasta at the perfect point of tenderness.  Danny's serving of spaghetti with shrimp was also praise-worthy, and the olive-oil coated, garlic tomatoes were the perfect side dish.  The service was prompt, attentive, and not over-bearing.  Most of the waitstaff appeared to speak English, or at least know enough to interact with guests.  However, we noticed that nearly half of the patrons were Italians enjoying a meal there, too.  While not a four star restaurant, the Steak House proved itself a purveyor of affordably-priced, delicious Italian food.  If staying in the Termini/Esquilino area, we would highly recommend a meal or two here!

Price range: $$
Appetizers: 5-6 euros
Pasta dishes: 8-10 euros
Pizza: 8-10 euros
Beer: 3-4 euros (per glass or half liter)

Wine: 4-5 euros
Service: 5 out of 5
Bang for your Buck Value: 5 out of 5
Location: Via Montebello 77

Osteria Allegro Pachino Ristorante
TripAdvisor Site

The ill-fated order of saltimbucca

We stumbled upon this restaurant in a side alley off the Trevi Fountain.  The place was obviously geared towards tourists - our menus were entirely in English, although TripAdvisor pictures seem to indicate that they offer bilingual menus which would've proved helpful for my particular experience here.  As our menus were entirely in English and my knowledge of culinary descriptions is limited, I ordered a "traditional Roman veal cutlet."  Oh, if only the menu had included Italian, then it would've stated the dish as being saltimbucca - a name I recognize and food I highly dislike!  When the food arrived and I discovered my error, it was too late in the night for us to order another dish.  I filled up on bread and a few bites of Danny's delicious spaghetti with octopus and mussels dish (picture at top of blog post) before we departed.  I'm sure the saltimbucca was good, but even the best saltimbucca dish in the world is not going to sway my opinion.  Service was adequate, although the food seemed to take longer to appear than at other establishments.  The food was slightly overpriced, but not as badly as you'd expect from a restaurant merely 92 meters from the Trevi Fountain.

Price range: $$
Appetizers: 6-7 euros
Pasta dishes: 9-11 euros
Meat dishes: 12-18 euros
Pizza: 8-10 euros
Beer: 3-4 euros (per glass or half liter)

Wine: 4-5 euros
Service: 3.5 out of 5
Bang for your Buck Value: 3.5 out of 5
Location: Via dei Crociferi 12/14, less than 100 meters west of the Trevi Fountain

Tre Scalini Cafe
http://www.trescalini.it/en/

Of course no trip to Italy is complete without enjoying some gelato.  Embarrassingly enough, we only had it twice during our entire eight and a half days in Italy!  However, we couldn't have chosen a better gelato cafe in all of Rome than Tre Scalini- as fellow travel blogger Michelle from Malaysian Meanders would agree!  Our method of "choosing" Tre Scalini was simply that we were in need of a restroom and they happened to have one.  Hardly romantic, but certainly serendipitous in a city with notoriously few public bathrooms.  Tre Scalini's cases offered dozens of gelato flavors from which to choose and additional desserts, such as tartufo, to tempt you, too.  I settled upon three scoops of tiramisu, cream, and chocolate in a dish, while Danny enjoyed a similarly chocolate-y combination on a cone, coming to around 4 euros a person.  In a word, the gelato was divine.  If for no other reason, take your wandering feet to the Piazza Navona and enjoy a cone of this ambrosia while marveling over Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.  It will be a highlight of your trip!

Price range: $
Gelato: 2-6 euros (depending on how many scoops)
Bang for your Buck Value: 5 out of 5
Location:  Directly in front of the Four Rivers fountain in the Piazza Navona on the western side

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What were some of the food highlights from your trip to Rome?

Linking up with Adelina from Pack Me To for the one year anniversary of #SundayTraveler!

Throwback Thursday: Roman Skyline (2014)

While modern skylines have their appeal, I must admit that I prefer Rome's to skyscrapers any day.  A visit to the Castel Sant'Angelo is worth it even if solely to capture this stunning skyline - arguably the best view of it anywhere in the city!

To read more about our visit to Rome and Campania, check out my thoughts on experiencing culture shock in Italy or read about my "admiration" for the efficiency of their public transportation system.  Or if you want to see how I got egg on my face - or rather, pizza on the floor - in Pompeii, there's a little of that, too.

Have you seen Rome's skyline?

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And don't forget to participate in the "All Roads Lead to Bavaria" Giveaway!  You could win a scratch-off map of the world to show off all your travels!  The contest closes on Christmas Eve, and the winner will be announced in the new year.

Liars & Lovers in Rome

Ever wondered if there were a romantic way to find out if your lover is a liar?

Well, wonder no more!  Just buy a few plane tickets to Rome and march your curious self to the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin for your answer.  This medieval church, constructed in the seventh century, houses an ancient sculpture of a face commonly known as the "Mouth of Truth" in its portico.  At best guess, historians believe the sculpture is a first century drain pipe or manhole cover.  (Bear with me - in this case, drains are very romantic.)  As popularized by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday, the Mouth of Truth purportedly detects liars by biting off their hand if they're cheeky enough to fib while their hand is jammed down its throat.  I would hazard a guess that maybe the face just doesn't like it when strangers shove their germy fingers in their mouth?  But I digress...

Spoiler alert: he passed the test.

So just coax your sweetheart to put their hand in there, ask them that particular question that's been nagging you since the day you met and soon you'll have your truthful answer - or a one-handed beau.

If you're seeking to continue this romantic venture, take a gander through the interior of the church.  While elaborately ornate back in its day ("Cosmedin" derives from the Greek word for ornate), this small basilica pales in comparison to St. Peter's Basilica, not just in size but in decor.  However, I preferred the geometric mosaics on the floor and the more respectful stillness of the visitors over the mayhem of tourists in the Vatican.  The absence of 15-feet tall cherubs hanging over me was also welcome.

Santa Maria has a distinctly Byzantine feel.  It follows a Melkite Catholic orthodoxy, which in short means their roots and liturgy feel more like Greek Orthodox but they are decidedly pro-Roman Catholic.  If that makes any sense.  At any rate, the church feels older (it is) and more genuine (in my opinion) than the glitz and glam of St. Peter's.

Source.

And to get back to the theme of lovers, did you know that Santa Maria in Cosmedin houses the head of St. Valentine?  That's right, the final resting place for the Saint of Love himself (or at least his head) is in this small basilica, although this is disputed as many places claim to have his body (in whole or part).  Dublin likes to think they have it all. 

Source.

St. Valentine lived and died in the third century, or so it's generally believed.  The legend of this martyred priest has outgrown any concrete facts, but the general story goes like this:  a Roman emperor decreed that young men and women could not marry because he thought his soldiers would fight better if they were single.  Despite this edict, Valentine performed marriage ceremonies for young people in secret.  When his actions were discovered, he was brutally beaten, tortured, and finally beheaded.  Think on that the next time you're out buying Valentine cards and candy.

Light a candle for the saint, say a prayer to restore your sweetheart's hand (if applicable), and relish this oasis of calm in the midst of Rome's loud hordes - Santa Maria in Cosmedin is a charm not to be missed.

Have you put your hand in the Mouth of Truth and visited Santa Maria in Cosmedin?

Cost:  1 euro suggested donation
Time Needed:  20-40 minutes
Accessibility:  Use Rome's metro line B and alight at the Circo Massimo stop.  Walk 1km northwest on Via del Circo Massimo and the Basilica is located at the northern end of the circus.
Tips:  Modest clothing is required for entry into the church itself, though not for the portico area housing the Bocca della Verita.  Shoulders must be covered and trousers must fall to your knees when in the basilica.  There may be a queue to enter during the high tourist season so make sure you get there in plenty of time before the church closes for the evenings.

Linking up with A Brit and a Southerner for #WeekendWanderlust!

Hotel Andreotti, Cheerful & Charming

This past July we crossed a big item off the bucket list:  Rome.  We spent four days in the Eternal City, cramming as much into our itinerary as humanly possible.  Footsore and weary-worn, every night we hobbled our way back to our little oasis to collapse into deep, restful sleep under luxurious red and gold blankets before starting a new day.

Hotel Andreotti was that oasis.

I found Hotel Andreotti much like I do every other hotel, a combination of Trip Advisor reviews and Google Map searches.  We wanted something close to Termini station so we didn't have to wrestle our luggage farther than necessary, but not so close as to be noisy, overly touristy, or too far away from a convenient walk or Metro ride to the sites on our list.  Plus it needed to satisfy my three basic requirements in a hotel: clean rooms, accommodating staff, and a safe location.  We finally settled upon Andreotti, located 550 meters northwest of Termini or a seven minute walk.

We arrived later than planned, thanks to Italy's marvelous public transportation system (please note the sarcasm), but were able to locate the hotel easily.  Our first impression of the neighborhood was satisfactory:  plenty of restaurants, little shops, apartment buildings, and the Italian Department of Finance just around the corner.  The streets were quiet and fairly well-lit.  We never felt unsafe.

Having already paid for the hotel before we ever left home, checking in was a breeze, and Matteo was very friendly.  He explained the hotel's WiFi and pointed to the weather forecast print-out posted to the front desk every day.  We left our passports with him to be registered with the police as foreign tourists (standard procedure in Italy) and took our bags to the room.  Before we even got there, I was already gushing over the hotel's decor, especially with the retro elevator in the lobby!

And as for the room?  Well, it was perfect.

A queen-sized bed, thick blinds and curtains, a flat screen tv, a mini-fridge, a closet, and a good sized bathroom with bidet, shower stall, and a large counter.  Everything we could've possibly wanted or needed!

Beyond the room, the staff themselves were also perfect - very cheerful, accommodating, and speaking near-perfect English.  Their dinner recommendations were especially helpful that first night, when we were too tired to wander far but ravenous for some delicious Italian food.

We were also impressed with the price to stay at Andreotti, paying only 360,75 euros (or roughly $468) for five nights.  This averaged to roughly 72.15 euros ($93) a night in the height of the July tourist season.  Not bad!

Hotel Andreotti left us no room for complaints, and we would highly recommend them if you plan to stay in the Termini area.

Have you been to Rome?  Where did you stay?

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Linking up with Bonnie Rose & other travel bloggers for #TravelTuesday!

Rome By Night

Whether under daylight or dusk, the Eternal City of Rome amazes and impresses, from evocative ruins to beautiful structures that have been in continuous use for nearly 2,000 years.  The light of day illuminates Rome as a living city, bustling with lively Italians and over-awed tourists, but Rome by night enchants and mesmerizes with the mystique of a city that has endured through countless kingdoms, empires, rulers, and brooded over innumerable generations' worth of secrets, sorrows, and strife that have occurred within her boundaries.  Here are a few of my favorite Rome By Night shots:

The Pantheon - incredible by day or night.

I love how the blurred lines of the buildings contrast with the clarity of the full moon in this picture.

The Vittorio Emannuel memorial glows brightly underneath the light of a full moon and clear skies.

The Colosseum stands just as proudly as it has since its construction nearly 2,000 years ago -- even if it's lost a few of its bricks and stones along the way!

Do you prefer the mystique of a city after dark compared to its daytime glory?  Have you ever visited Rome?

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Linking up with Chasing the Donkey and other travel bloggers for the #SundayTraveler!

The Spanish Steps & Not-So-Free Roses in Rome

Those not already familiar with Audrey Hepburn's iconic movie Roman Holiday may not necessarily see the appeal or charm in the Spanish Steps of the Piazza di Spagna.  Admittedly, the steps are not as historic as, say, the Colosseum or as heralded as Michelangelo's Steps to the Capitoline hill.  However, for me a trip to Rome would not have been complete without channeling my inner Hepburn (or Danny as the dashing Gregory Peck!) at the Spanish Steps.

My Gregory Peck (just not at the
Spanish Steps)!

The Spanish Steps date to the eighteenth century, when funds from a French diplomat were expended to conveniently connect the Bourbon Spanish Embassy down the steep hill to the Palazzo Monaldeschi.  We found the Steps beautiful - even underneath a sea of humanity and with a backdrop of scaffolding!

Before we could even scope out a place to sit for a moment, pushy hands were thrusting roses in my face.  "Free gift!  Free gift for you!" was the man's insistent explanation.

"No thanks," I said firmly, holding my hands up with palms facing outward.

"No pay, no pay!  Roman tradition!  Good luck to give roses to pretty ladies!"

"We don't want it," Danny said firmly as we turned away.  The man grunted and muttered under his breath at us as he left to accost his next target.  Shortly thereafter we heard him repeat his statement, and when the lady took the rose, he began hounding her to pay for her "free gift," following her around the piazza until she finally handed back the rose.  This seems to be a pretty popular scam in Rome.

Despite the crowds and pushy "salesmen," it was refreshing to rest our achy feet while taking in the bustling ambiance.  Just don't dare to slip off your flip-flops or shoes unless you want a scolding from a policewoman!  We found it ironic that they would enforce a fashion code while blatantly ignoring the obnoxious ways of the scam artists all around us.

At any rate, we enjoyed our quick respite at the Spanish Steps.  Only a gelato cone could've possibly made the experience better, but an impending storm cloud hurried us back to the metro and on for more adventures in Rome!

What other tourist scams have you witnessed while traveling?  Have you visited the Spanish Steps?

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Linking up with A Southern Gypsy for the #WeekendWanderlust!

A Day at St. Peter's Basilica

We stopped by the Vatican to have a chat with Pope Francis this past July, but sadly, he wasn't in.  However, our disappointment soon dissipated into sheer wonder at the masterful architecture and beauty of St. Peter's Basilica!

Although there has been a church on Vatican hill since the fourth century, the current St. Peter's Basilica dates only to 1626, when its 120 years of construction were completed.  Considering artists such as Michelangelo and Bernini were involved with the planning and building, it's no wonder that St Peter's has become known as the "greatest church in all of Christendom."

We knew St. Peter's would be impressive, but nothing can really prepare you for it.  It's huge.

Down the center nave, a line marks where other churches and cathedrals would end if they were placed inside the Basilica.  Having visited St. Vitus in Prague, St Paul's in London, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., etc, in the past, it was amazing to see where the length of those cathedrals compare to the massive size of St. Peter's.  You're almost tempted to disbelieve it, though, since the Basilica was designed and constructed in a way that makes it seem smaller than it truly is.  This optical illusion was intended to make the church, and God, seem more approachable to the worshipper.

The statues in the Basilica are also fashioned to appear smaller.  See the cherub up there?  Doesn't he look like you could just scoop him up and pinch his cheeks?  (Ok, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration...)  But as you can see from the picture on the right, its hand dwarfs that of my husband.  And my husband has some big hands!

As you continue down the nave, alternating your gaze from left to right at various side altars and statues, you finally reach Bernini's High Altar, situated directly beneath one of Michelangelo's greatest masterpieces: the Dome.

Be prepared for some serious neck-craning action.  The Dome draws your eyes upward, intent on bringing your attention to God and reminding us of our own small stature in comparison to His greatness.  The brilliant colors and masterful artistry proved too much for my small camera, and my pictures cannot do the Dome's beauty any justice.  The juxtaposition of the blue "ribs" running up the Dome with the gold stars and gold lettering at the very top were absolutely stunning.  The saints, apostles, popes, and artists featured in the Dome's fresco seemingly dance above and around the high altar below them and encourage the viewer to join them.

Bernini's High Altar

Beneath the Dome and beneath the High Altar purportedly lies the grave of St Peter himself.  Sadly, there's no way to get a good look at the tomb.  If you stand on your tip-toes and crane your neck, you can get a limited view.  But there are no markers or indication as to what's hidden beneath the altar, so an uneducated visitor would remain clueless.  You can descend into a small portion of the crypt below the basilica floor (many popes are buried there), but again your views of the tomb are extremely limited.

For better views, however, it is well worth springing the 5 euros to climb to the top of St Peter's to see Rome laid out before you!  For an additional 2 euros, you can skip the first 320 steps by taking the elevator; honestly, the first 320 steps are not that difficult, and we made it up before the folks behind us in line got through the line at the lift.  Your first "resting stop" is inside the dome, looking down to the nave's floor.  For acrophobics like myself, this can be rather daunting.  I think I spent the entire time pressed against the walls!  But nothing could replace the experience of touching the mosaic pieces with my own hands or catching the tail-end of a mass from the dizzying but spectacular vantage point of the dome!

But the climb can go ever higher!  From the dome you ascend greater heights, at times walking sideways along the dome itself.  In between my nauseating fear of heights, I had to admit that it was a really cool experience.  And the anxiety and effort of the climb were amply rewarded with stunning views:

St Peter's Square

Papal apartments behind the Basilica

The long building with courtyards is the Vatican Museum.

Saving the Dome climb for the end of our visit to the Vatican capped our day perfectly.  When you've relished vistas as beautiful as this, how can you possibly top it?  Reluctantly, we made our way down to terra firma and back out into Rome.

Our day at the Vatican ended up being the highlight of our Roman experience, for both spiritual and aesthetic reasons.  I respect and admire Michelangelo, Bernini, and the other artists who endeavored to honor the power of God and attempt to bring the viewer closer to Him through their masterful designs and art in the Basilica.  While the hordes of tourists did not lend a particularly quiet atmosphere to St. Peter's, the architecture and design made me feel so small and yet embraced by both the hugeness of the Basilica and the greatness of God.

Dominus vobiscum.

Have you visited St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican?

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Cost:  FREE entry to the Basilica! 5-7 euros to ascend the Dome.
Time Needed:  You could breeze through in 30 minutes if you really have no interest in churches, history, or artwork.  However, I'd recommend 2-3 hours, particularly if you want to climb the Dome (so worth it).
Accessibility:  Currently, the Basilica is not immediately near a Metro line.  We took Line A to the Ottaviano - "San Pietro" station and walked south on Via Ottaviano.  It was about a 10-15 minute walk.
Website:  http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/index_it.htm
Tips:  Download Rick Steves' free podcasts on your smartphone!  He provides excellent explanations of various parts of the Basilica, and you'll feel much more knowledgeable after listening.

 Linking up with other travel bloggers for the #WeekendWanderlust!

Snapshots of the Vatican

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Some of my favorite, up-close-and-personal shots of our visit to the Vatican this past summer.

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