V – Vatican

If you can, include a visit to the Vatican Museums on your schedule. Even better than that, pre-book your tickets and avoid the queues.

As one might expect, the various areas become busy – very busy. You’re able to do little other than to go with the flow. But eventually the corridors open up and you have time enjoy the exhibits, especially the ceilings.

I’ve visited a few stately homes in my time. I’ve also been to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. None can compete with the ceilings of the Vatican Museums. It isn’t just one room or one section – all of the ceilings are beautifully ornate, each a masterpiece in its own right.

Eventually you are fed through a very narrow door and into what is possibly the most highly anticipated exhibit – Cappella Sistina, the Sistine Chapel.

This is the one area where photos are not allowed. As much as I love taking photos, I wasn’t prepared to be thrown out for disobeying that rule – so I am unable to share anything. Hopefully the other images offer some compensation.