Rome. In a country where history is deep, no city, not even Firenze can beat Rome. It's a favorite destination and this year, when the Motogiro d'Italia started in Rome I knew a few extra days to sight see and add some shots to this gallery would be perfect. This is a photo of a map fresco from the hall of maps in the Vatican museum, one of my favorite rooms in the museum. A wonderful personal travel guide

St Peters Basilica, the Vatican

It's not all about religian in Rome but it's no surprise that it figures into everything. From the perspective of what is beautiful, it's clear that all of this was done in tribute to a higher power. The result is so moving that photos can not capture it, not even close.
Cross in the Vatican museum

We arrived on the last Sunday of the month, a day that allows everyone to see the Vatican museum for free. But we only had an hour before it closed so I was shuffling in the crowd and shooting as I walked. Apologies in advance for lack of details other than "statue in Vatican museum"

The museum is unusual in that the building itself is the muesum, not the usual room full of items on display. This is a series of consecutive doorways to rooms, each room painted. It's one of my favorite shots in this gallery

Pier of Saint Helena - Saint Peter's Basilica
This Church is so large it covers 5.7 acres and holds 60,000 people. But when you visit what strikes you as much as the scale is the emotion

Walkway in the Vatican museum

Bernini's Baldacchino, this stands 90 feet tall and was made with 927 TONS of dark bronze taken from the roof of the Pantheon's roof. It only took him 9 years which frankly I find amazing

Rooftop out in St. Peters square

Waiting for Papa. Well worn chairs out in the square lined up for a Papal appearance