St. Peter's Basilica

This was my fourth visit to Rome.  While I decided to forgo, for the first time, a visit to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, I could not "not visit" St. Peter's.  So incredible.  So awe-inspiring.  So beautiful.

Back in 1981on my first visit I had not realized how lucky I was - at that time, travelling in March to Rome I think, the church was almost deserted.  We could just trot across the square and up the steps with no lines.  

Despite the crowds now, it is still wondrous.  (I went early in day - about 8:45 a.m. getting there and the lines were short.)

For the first time since 1981, though, I did climb Michelangelo's Dome!
Do you see the Sistine Chapel from a bird's eye view?
See the Vatican Grotto and Fountain of the Eagle?  Someday I hope to visit the Vatican Gardens and see them from the ground level!