Two weeks in Italy is a whirlwind! We had an amazing time with our niece Brynn, and the last few days were just as packed as the first.

After leaving Amalfi, we spent our last three days in Rome. Our main goals were the Vatican and the Colosseum. Both are super popular, so we booked guided tours.

First up, we visited the Vatican Museums. Our guide explained the sculptures by Michelangelo and the huge paintings by Rafaello. The three-hour tour ended with the Sistine Chapel. By then, we were exhausted, but we still loved the incredible work Michelangelo did on the ceiling and thought it was cool to be standing where popes are chosen during the conclave.

After lunch and some shopping, we joined our private guide Tatiana for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. We started in St. Peter’s Square and learned about the pope’s regular visits and the history of the huge complex we’ve seen on TV.

Since we were in Rome during a Jubilee year (a once-every-25-years celebration), there was a lot going on. The Jubilee also provided us with the rare opportunity to walk through the Basilica’s Holy Doors.

Inside the basilica, we were amazed by how big it is and all the art and treasures. Michelangelo’s Pietá, carved in polished Carrara marble, is truly stunning.

While we were in the basilica, we saw a procession of pilgrims and a mass led by red-robed cardinals. Some of the side chapels were also being used for services.

On our second full day in Rome, we explored the legendary Colosseum. Our amazing guide Paolo brought the ancient arena to life by telling us what a day would have been like for ancient Romans who came to watch the show.

After exploring the Colosseum from all sides, we went to see the Roman Forum, the ancient city that includes the tomb of Julius Caesar. 

The remainder of our time in Rome was spent shopping the cute shops around our hotel in the Monti neighborhood and eating one more plate of pasta, one more gelato, and one more look at the incredible Colosseum.

As our Italian adventure came to an end, we were grateful for the opportunity to share the beauty and value of travel with Brynn.