by Ximena Amarales | Dec 19, 2019 | Museums, Rome, Vatican |
3 things you didn’t know about the Vatican Museums in Rome
A must stop for every tourist in Rome, a state inside the city. What am I talking about? It is the Vatican city, of course.
This small country of its own sits right in the middle of the Roman culture, arts and history, with its boundaries enclosed in the – let’s say it – nicest city of the world.
There are many sites one can visit within the siege of the Catholic church: a magnificent square, the porch and the columnade that are called after St Peter, and then again fountains, gardens, statues and many more landmarks. Plenty to choose from and many different itineraries, so that you can come back many times and discovering always different spots.
One amongst all those beautiful places is one that certainly cannot be missed when in Rome: it is the Vatican Museums, showcasing a massive collection of art pieces, historical mementos and ancient objects from different times in history.
There are a million information that you can read about this place, but also a lot of secrets about the Vatican Museums that nobody will tell you about.
No one but me!
Ready to hear some? Here we go.
- Michelangelo’s paintings are not only representing saints or angels.
I am not going fool, don’t worry. The Sistine Chapel is the best example of Michelangelo’s talent and a majestic work of art. The artist was able, together with his crew, to paint over a 5000 square meters ceiling and just over 300 human figures. As you just learned, it was not only saints and angels: many of the humans represented were in fact inspired by people living in Michelangelo’s times. Politicians, lawyers and other important citizens but one stands against them all: did you know that Jesus face in the infamous Giudizio Universale belongs in fact to Tommaso de’ Cavalieri, which was said to be the artist’s lover?!
- There are way more visitors than you would expect
You are getting it right: there are a huge number of tourists visiting the Vatican museums everyday. And the number is increasing year by year.
There are in fact over 27 thousand visitors getting inside the Vatican every single day: just as if a medium-large town will go on a day trip there everyday! Impressive, and crowded of course. You can probably tell once you see the queue at the ticket office. The museums are open every single day (but on Sundays and catholic holidays) since 1771: can you work out how many tickets get sold in a year time?!
- The Museums had some special closing date, which was neither a Sunday or a catholic holiday.
As just mentioned, the Vatican Museums were opened to the public for the first time in 1771 by Pope Clemens XIV and they have been open every day since. Every day but one: curiously, in 1938, Pope Pius XI decided to close the museums exceptionally on a week day. That was the day when Adolf Hitler, dictator from Germany, came to Rome on a visit. The Pope’s intention was to forbid the dictator’s access to such richness and beauty. And in fact he managed to do so.
So, tell me: did you know any of those special secrets about the Vatican Museums?! I bet you didn’t. But I will tell you more: there are a whole bunch of other curiosity about the Vatican City and other must visit spots in Rome I am happy to share with you.
So now you have 2 choices: keep reading this blog or book a customized tour around Rome.
Which one will you pick?
by Ximena Amarales | Mar 29, 2019 | Scooters in Rome, vespa |
Vespa tour in Rome: 5 reasons to ride a scooter through the city
Experiences like visiting a city as beautiful as Rome are the kind we can never forget about.
Every visitor coming to Rome carries home those truly amazing sightseeings, breathtaking sceneries and the best memories of all times.
But activities like visiting historical architecture and museums for a whole day can sometimes be tiring: so here is something for you to twist it up.
Just follow me on a super fun and joyful Vespa tour in Rome!
Why should you do that?
Here’s my 5 reasons to ride a scooter through the Eternal City.
1. Learn all the secrets with an architect.
What better way to know all deepest secrets that have affected the growth of Rome through the history than exploring the city with an expert.
My name is Ximena and not only I am a passionate Architect specialized in Urbanism, I also have been a licenced tour guide in Rome for 24 years.
I have been taking all sorts of groups, big or small, from every corner of the world, to visit the most beautiful sceneries in Rome. How? Riding the unmissed italian classic: a Vespa.
So far, I am just about to reach 100k kilometres on the “capital-S” scooter but am planning to drive as many more as I can: why don’t you join me?
2. Live Rome like locals do.
When travelling to any city it is advisable to start living like a local: that is in fact the best way for a tourist to learn all deepest secrets of a place, avoiding tourist scams and pumped up prices.
What about Rome: can you picture a better way other than exploring the city on a traditional Vespa scooter?
Give me a buzz if you are looking for a special experience and let’s build together the perfect customized itinerary in Rome.
And not only sightseeing: let’s pick the best non touristy spots for a drink or gelato and live the city just as locals do.
3. Get to the most beautiful spots faster.
The city of Rome develops on a 1200 km² area. You can work it out yourself: there is so much to see and do here that the biggest efforts are put into maximizing time consumption in between the spots you want to visit.
Well, let’s say it out loud: a Vespa can easily be driven through the streets in Rome and will get you from one side to the other in less than half the time (comparing to a tourist bus, for example).
And again, you will be completely free to decide when it is the right time to leave to new ventures.
4. Visit the whole city in just one day.
Moving faster across different locations in Rome will also help maximize the amount of basilicas, squares, museums or fountains you can see in Rome in just one day.
This isn’t your everyday tour: amongst my best Rome tours, this is by far the most popular.
Wondering why? It’s because this tours lets you explore the whole city in a full day, with totally no hussle and enjoying every single moment of it.
5. Move freely and safely through traffic.
This Vespa tour is made for everyone: there is no particular needs to join.
There are in fact 2 options for you to pick:
● Self-driving tour, where you will need to own a driver’s license.
● Experienced driver tour, where you can sit back and enjoy the views.
Whichever way you’ll go for, keep in mind that all routes will be covered safely and minimizing time loss usually due to the traffic in Rome.
So what? Jump on, ride your Vespa and have fun!
by Ximena Amarales | Jan 22, 2019 | Ancient Rome, Vatican |
Hi Ximena,
Hope you are well!
It’s Amanda (and Terry, Jude and Sol) here from Sydney. We arrived back about a week ago and are settling back into routine and awfully hot humid weather! Finally had a few moments to sit down at the computer so wanted to send you a quick note to thank you very much for your amazing and personal service with the Ancient Rome and Vatican tours we attended with you earlier in January. We all agreed that you were the best guide we had the whole time we were away! Your knowledge and warmth was so appreciated. You were also so patient with the boys and read their behaviour well and tailored everything as needed. Thank you, we loved it!
We all loved the Colosseum tour too even though we didn’t get to see it with you. We were very fortunate that we had a very passionate archaeologist leading our tour who did a great job – and it was perfect having your added insight prior.
Here’s a few photos from the visits – a couple with you, and I apologise to that I don’t think I asked your permission to take these first. I love the view over the rooftops – you took us to the best location for that! It’s great that you can’t see the Piazza Venezia in view like you do from most other locations 😉
by Ximena Amarales | Dec 11, 2018 | Food in Italy, Rome |
There is much more than just beautiful panoramas and stunning attractions in Rome: be ready to taste some of the most wonderful dishes you ever had.
There are not only main dishes that you should try: today I am going to tell you about the beautiful desserts that await in a bakery. Stop over when going through the busy streets of Rome.
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by Ximena Amarales | Nov 30, 2018 | Uncategorised |
Ximena
What a fabulous couple of days
You made our trip so special !
Thank you
Let’s hope we meet again
Jonathan Lund
Regional Vice President Hotel Operations – Canada
