I spent ten weeks in Europe. It was an amazing adventure, and experience. Of these ten weeks I spent about three weeks in Italy.

And of those weeks I spent a total of eleven days in Rome. And...

And it is interesting as to why I spent eleven days in Rome.

It all revolves around the ten week adventure I had planned for. It was to cover three countries including Italy, France, and Spain. And while in Spain I would walk a 500 mile pilgrimage (The Way of Saint James). Here is a look at the path I too across the three countries.

I started in Rome, Adventured around Italy then moved into France for a while. Then I started my Pilgrimage in a little town in France and walked right across the whole country of Spain. (It took me 42 days)

But, I finished the whole adventure ahead of schedule so I took trains and airplanes back across Spain and returned to Rome where I spent another eight days. And these eight days were absolutely magnificent,.

The first time I was in Rome I was a tourist on a mission. I scheduled only three days there so I rushed through the major tourist sites like the Vatican and the Colosseum etc.

But, when I returned to Rome for eight more days I had more time to really explore the city. I felt like a local. It was wonderful. And I will tell you more about this.

The first three days in Rome.

I stood these three days and four nights in a very inexpensive hostel. I really didn't plan on doing much there other than sleeping. And I kept to that. I wanted to maximize my few days exploring the highlights of Rome.

Rome is a very walkable city. It isn't that large. All of the major attractions are within walking distance. I would imagine that is because when the city was built that's all people could do - walk. There was no subway and no cars. So, I did a lot of walking. Which was really nice.

The first day I visited St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum.

Here is a look at St. Peter's Basilica from a distance.

The bridge you see in the foreground is also very famous and very old. It is Ponte Sant'Angelo and it was completed in the year 134. We will be taking another look at it because it is lined with some very famous statues of Angels.

Here is a closer look at the Basilica. This is the front of it. And we are in something called "The Colonnade". It is a large courtyard like area. And it is where the public gathers when the pope makes an appearance.

(Outside St. Peter's Basilica)

It is free to get into the basilica but there is a very long line. At least there was a long line when I was there. I waited in line for two and a half hours before I finally got in.

(Inside St. Peter's Basilica)

It is definitely worth the wait though. The inside is absolutely magnificent. Here is a page with pictures and more from my trip inside St. Peter's Basilica.

My next stop was the Colosseum

Getting into the Colosseum turned out to not be possible for me. There is such a tremendous demand for it that you have to buy a ticket online and reserve a place several days in advance. I would be gone and on my way to the next city.

I also went to the Vatican Museum. There was a long line but that was okay. At least I would get in.

The Vatican Museum is of course magnificent. It has an embarassment of riches.

But the doorway (main Entrance) shown in the picture here is a bit on the more modest side. I was expecting a more grandiose main entrance.

It is however interesting. The sculpture at the top displays two artists. On the left is Michelangelo and on the right is Raphael.

Eight more days in Rome.

After my whole adventure in Europe was complete (nine weeks and the 500 mile pilgrimage; I made my way back across Europe to Rome and spent another eight days there... and those eight days were a beautiful experience for me. It was very different this time around. I could take my time and I saw Rome in a different way... Read more about it on this next page here