Is there anything better than a late summer breakfast on a rooftop terrace? Although our room was small and basic (and not really wheelchair accessible) the Hotel Museum turned out to be a perfect choice. We asked the concierge if it was possible to stay for one more night. It was! In addition we were able to move to a bigger room.
Rooftop terrace, Hotel Museum
Standard Room, Hotel Museum
Deluxe Room, Hotel Museum
When we left the hotel after breakfast we realized what we hadn't seen when we arrived the last night. The Museum was literally next to Vatican City and the entrance of the Vatican Museums.
Entrance gate, Vatican Museums
Wheelchair users get in for free (including the audio guide) and can skip the lines. They cannot skip the wheelchair line at the entrance of the Sistine Chapel. To enter the chapel you have to go through a small corridor that only lets one wheelchair user go into the chapel at a time. But it is definitely worth the wait.
Wheelchair entrance, Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is packed with people who don't care about keeping silent yet there is such a holy spirit in the room. Not to mention the chapel's famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums
I was fascinated by the Vatican Museums. Having visited this Rome attraction in person I have to say that is not overrated and should be on every art lover's bucket list! My personal highlights: The Bramante Staircase at the entrance, the never-ending Gallery of Maps and, of course, Rafael's famous painting 'The School of Athens'.
Gallery of Maps, Vatican Museums
Bramante Staircae, Vatican Museums
School of Athens, Vatican Museums
Close to the Vatican Museums is St. Peter's Basilica. Again you will find elevators here that take you into the nave ...and on top of the basilica, which is quite cool!
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
Rooftop terrace, St. Peter's Basilica
What happened next was like entering paradise. On our way to the Piazza Navona, we passed the Castel Sant'Angelo, crossed the Tiber and accidentally found the Via del Governo Vecchio.
Tiber, Rome
Besides a lot of small restaurants and bars this small alley is home of the Frigidarium. If being frigid has something to do with the ice cream served at the Frigidarium i want to be frigid. I can for sure put my hand into the Bocca della Verità if I say this is THE BEST ice cream I have eaten in my whole life. Normally on our city trips I don't eat at places twice, because I want to try out as much places as possible. Furthermore as a more or less healthy eater I never eat more than two scoops. All was different with the Frigidarium. We would come back here again to eat more than two scoops of delicous and rich ice cream.
Ice cream, Frigidarium
From the Via del Governo Vecchio it is only a short walk to the Palazzo Spada. Another must-see sight in Rome. Go to the courtyard to see the forced perspective gallery designed by Francesco Borromini. The gallery creates the illusion to be about 40 meters long. In fact it is only 8 meters long. To demonstrate the illusion a cute Italian woman had a special job. She stood next to the gallery and was more than happy to do her little routine when visitors came by. She walked back and forth the gallery and striked a few poses to show the actual height of the gallery. Sadly she was shy – no picture please.
Palazzo Spada, Rome
It was only afternoon so we chose to visit Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. To get there we passed the Galleria Alberto Sordi, an Art Nouveau style shopping arcade.
Galleria Alberto Sordi, Rome
We also made a quick stop at the Pantheon to have a look at the impressive dome with the central oculus.
Central oculus, Pantheon
Apart from the exhibition about the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, go to the crypt of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. Its walls are decorated with the remains of thousands of friars. A macabre work of art. I was not allowed to take pictures, so see it yourself. Last but not least we went to the Spanish Steps... unfortunately not wheelchair accessible ;).
Spanish Steps, Rome
And, yes of course we went back to the Via del Governo Vecchio for a perfect dinner with lots of Italian culinary delights.
Variety of Italian food, Via del Governo Vecchio
On our way back to the hotel it started pouring with rain. We ran through the warm night air and crossed the empty St. Peter's Square, where the basilica was reflected on the shiny wet pavement. Such a kodak moment. Continue here.
Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
St. Peter's Square, Rome
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