October 22, 2015: We arrive in Rome, Italy

This is the start of a 5-week vacation in Europe.  We begin our adventure in Rome, Italy, for a few days before boarding the Island Princess cruise ship where we will sail the Mediterranean and then head across the Atlantic arriving back in Fort Lauderdale, Florida just before Thanksgiving.

We arrived in Rome on Thursday morning, October 22.  Upon arrival we quickly moved through customs...they just waved us through, not even looking at our passports.  We found our luggage and then headed out of the secured area to find our driver, which we arranged through our hotel.

We connected in Atlanta for our overnight flight to Rome.

Welcome to Rome....just wave at Customs

Our hotel, the Best Western Spring House Hotel just 2 blocks from Vatican City.

Upon reaching our hotel, we had hoped to be able to check in to our room early.   Unfortunately, we could not, so we left our bags and headed out to start exploring Rome.

We headed to the the Vatican and St. Peter's Square and joined the long, long line to go through security and then another long, long line to climb the steps to the cupola, or dome of the Basilica.  We thought that would be a good way to stay awake after our long journey and fight jet lag.

St. Peter's Basilica

The line extended way back as far as one could see. 

534 steps to to the top of the dome at St. Peters

At times the stairwell was very narrow.

But what a beautiful site were were rewarded with at the top! Nearly 2,000 years ago this area was the site of Nero's Circus--a huge cigar-shaped Roman chariot racecourse.  For entertainment at the races, the Romans killed Christians.  One of those killed here in 65 AD was the Apostle Peter, who had come to Rome to spread the message of Jesus.

Christianity was finally legalized in the year 313 when the Christian emperor, Constantine, built a church on the site of Peter's martyrdom.  That church lasted until 1506 when the new, larger church of today was begun.

St. Peter's Square, with its ring of columns, symbolizes the arms of the church welcoming everyone. 

Looking down from the dome to the gardens and buildings in Vatican City.

The view is behind a wire mesh and bars but still it was wonderful to look over Rome and St. Peter's Square.

On the roof of the Basilica, half way up to the dome.

The statues that line the roof of the Basilica

Once down from the dome we stepped inside the Basilica.  We will tour the Vatican tomorrow morning so after a few pictures we headed back to the hotel as it was now after 3 pm.  

Michelangelo had only completed the base up to the windows when he died in 1564.  The next architects were guided by his designs.

The gold banner at the top of this photo circles the base of the dome.  The banner is in Latin and quotes every one of Jesus' recorded words to Peter, including, "You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church , and to you I will give the keys of the kingdom of  heaven" (Matthew 16:18)

The Swiss Guards outside the Basilica.

Our bags were in our room and we unpacked and relaxed before heading out to find a restaurant for dinner.  We browsed around the various restaurants and picked one where we cold sit outside and the menu featured lots of pasta!

We then declared it time to call it a day and get some sleep.  Our tour of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel begins early in the morning.