Obviously there was no way we were going to come to Rome and not see the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Most of you probably know this, but I actually didn't really until a couple months ago. The famous Sistine Chapel is in the Vatican (which is in Rome but functions as it's own place) Also at the Vatican there is a ginormous museum and St. Peter's Basilica which is also (of course) GINORMOUS. It is also one of the most massive tourist spots in the world, massive crowds and lines. But everyone says it's worth it so we went for it.
It is all closed on Sundays, and since we are in Rome from a Saturday evening to Monday afternoon that leaves us Monday morning...the busiest day and time for the Vatican. We got there a little bit after it opened and the lines were already so long that it was at least a 2 1/2 hour wait!
Our train left for Florence at 3:00...doesn't give us a lot of time.
There are lots of agencies that do tours, they have sales people a over the place. Basically you pay extra and you get to skip the line and have a guided tour. We weren't planning on paying extra & had been ignoring all the tour guides trying to get our attention. Then we met this friend:
We started thinking how we wouldn't have time to see things, didn't want to wait for hours etc and she convinced us to pay the extra money for no line & a guided tour. It ended up being about 15 extra euro each, so really not that bad!
Our first stop was the Vatican Museum
This museum is so extensive that you could take an entire week to see it! We just saw some highlights in about 90 minutes.
This is a mosaic piece and marble carving underneath that shows what the Colosseum was decorated with! Fancy place.
It's a little blury but the famous discus thrower statue is there...it's over 1,500 years old!
There were so many amazing ceilings as we went through long hallways.
This one looks like it is plaster or stone and is three dimnsional but it is all just paint!
You're not supposed to talk or take pictures inside. So our tour guide spent about 45 minutes before the tour explaining everything. It was very interesting! Michaelangelo painted the ceiling in his early 30's, it took him 4 years. Then roughly 25 years later he came back to paint the judgement scene altar piece. At first when they asked Mihaelangelo to paint the ceiling he refused because it would be too difficult with the curvature of the ceiling etc. then later on he changed his mind and said yes...inspiration maybe?
Amazing how it looks so 3D but is completely flat!
This hallways was particularly long. When a lot of people enter here they mistake it for the Sistine Chapel. Very impressive.
Then it was time to enter the Sistine Chapel! 
This chapel was the exclusive chapel for the Pope and Cardinals. The Cardinals even slept there! This is also where the new Pope is selected. It wasn't until 1952 that the public could enter.
There are hundreds of figures in the ceiling painting, none of them are in the same position, all unique. The colors are vibrant and the details incredible. Everything looks like it is in perfect proportion, when really it had one painted out of proportion with all of the various curves in the structure so it looks normal from the ground. That would be a complicated process! Little sections of the ceiling are "framed" it looks like thy are physical frames but really it is just more of his painting!
Michaelangelo was actually painting on wet plaster, he had a limited amount of time for each section before the plaster was too dry.
We maybe snuck a picture...oops.
You can even see the very famous center piece of the creation in this shot!
We were lucky enough to get a spot on a bench along the sidewall to sit and look at the ceiling. Then we atleast had something to lean on heads against!
It was just an amazing masterpiece and I'm very glad we took the time and money to see it, after all "when in Rome!"
The next stop on our Vatican exploring was the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. 
This gives an excellent view of Rome. It cost us 5 euro and a hike up 550 stairs to see it.
Along the way you stop to see the inside of the dome from up high. This was our first glimpse into how huge St.Peters Basilica is, sheesh! 
The actual dome was gorgeous and also massive.
The walls were covered in extravagant & detailed mosaics.
On to more stairs to get to the top of the outside. The walls started to curve and the stairs got thinner and thinner, it was hot in there! 
All of the sudden we were there! The view was gorgeous.
Rome is a beautiful place!
By now we were running short on time, so we literally ran down all 550 of those stairs so we could see the inside of St. Peter's Basilica.
Holy Canoli. That place is so big. 
It felt like 4 or 5 big churches all combined. 
The dome is extremely impressive. It's just so huge.
In the very middle of everything is the actual tomb of St. Peter. (If your seen Angels & Demons that is where Ewan McGregor lights himself on fire...bleh.) In one wing there is an altar piece with a gorgeous stain glass window. It never showed in our pictures but the center of it is a dove. I really like this piece.
Before long we had to leave, wih just enough time for a quick look at the main plaza of the Vatican. Surprise surprise...it is also massive!
Overall the Vatican was quite the thing to see. Millions go through there every year.
The whole experience also made me grateful that our temples and most sacred places are not just open to the public. They are really kept sacred.
For most of our tour and waiting in line for the dome we made friends with this couple, Randy & Helen from Canada & Holland. He asked us about the differences in the Mormon church/beliefs and what was being shown here at the Vatican. We basically have him a watered down version of lesson one from Preach My Gospel (fun!) and just talked for a little bit. I am so grateful for a modern prophet and for personal revelation.
One other thing I've real been noticing with all the churches we've been in and art we've seen is the perception of eve and the story of Adam & Eve. I'm so grateful for the temple and the clarity we can receive about them. We are just so lucky to have the gospel.
Anyway, the Vatican was a great end to our Rome experience. Before we knew it we were on a train to Florence!
The ride was filled with gorgeous country side. Those Italian stereotypes; green rolling hills, vineyards & villages. It was awesome! 
Florence
Ok, I really liked Rome. But so far I LOVE Florence!
We got here around 6:00 and quickly got set up in our Air B&B place. Basically this lady has a large apartment with 5 or 6 rooms and a few bathrooms that she runs like a hotel. She even makes breakfast in the morning! It's close to the train station and right by all the major sites! We've just been walking all over Florence because everything is close together and each street is fun to see.
There are los of little markets, there is especially some amazing leather products. If we weren't traveling with just tiny backpacks I would definitely do some shopping!
Right away we were in the plaza of the main cathedral which includes the famous "duomo"
It's a huge and impressive church, we'll go inside later but for now we're just enjoying the outside. See that building on the right? That's the baptistery part of he church...and surprise surprise it's under construction!
Just two minutes down the road is the kind of town hall and plaza...also very fun! This whole area is a lot of pedestrian only with fun hops and just a great atmosphere.
There are some amazing sculptures there as well.
For all of that we had been listening to the Rock Steve's audio tour ap (definitely recommend it) but once it was over we just started doing our own wandering.
We saw singers
This cute couple taking bridal photos (talk about good location!)
And eventually we made our way to the river walk complete with famous bridges.
In Florence I feel like it's picturesque or "stereotypical" Italy a lot of the time...and it's awesome!
Romantic to say the least :) 
One of these bridges is full of shops and is always buzzing with people
It also had a great view
We also saw these pet centered tourists...hopefully they got their dogs good side:
Once we crossed the river we headed for the Plaza de Michaelangelo for sunset, it's up on the hill and a must if you're in Florence. 
There's nothing better than being in a beautiful place with your love and just soaking it all in. 
The view of Florence from here is gorgeous, there is someone playing live music and plenty of people enjoying it all.
One of our favorite things so far!
The next item of business was a good dinner! We had passed a little restaurant on our way up that had great prices so we decided to try it out. Delicious.
We splurged with an appetizer, that was my favorite thing we've had on this trip so far. Smokes salmon with grilled vegetables. Oh man my mouth is watering.
Then Russ had a pizza, very tasty.
I had Penne with pesto. I love pesto sauce and this was the best pesto I have ever had! Mmmm 
We then capped off the night with a little gelato (how could we not?) and walking around one of the plazas.
Weirdest thing...we ran into someone we know! Or atleast his look alike twin haha...
From where we were this guy playing the clarinet looked like Russ' brother Robbie! Haha it was so funny! Rob you should've told us you were coming back to Florence! 
We also walked by this statue I thought was neat (there are incredible statues everywhere) but this is Doubting Thomas and you'll notice he has one foot in the world and one foot in the church.
Last of all we watched a street performer for a while who attracts quite a crowd! It was a good laugh. 
Once again we've done a ton of walking and were very ready for bed tonight! But what a wonderful day. It hardly feels like real life. We are loving this experience and especially getting to spend 24/7 together!
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