Sunday seemed like an appropriate day for an outing to the smallest country in the world - Vatican City.
We walked over arriving mid morning and saw the Pope on big screens taking the Sunday morning Mass, though we couldn't spot him in person. The crowds weren't as big as we anticipated but we didn't try to get too close. We'd booked to see a theatrical light, dance and music show about the paintings on the Sistene Chapel ceiling. It was very well done, with great lighting and effects and an interesting way of seeing the pictures in more detail and learning a little about them and what they depict - we wouldn't have got that understanding out of just looking at them in person. We decided after seeing all that that we didn't need to visit it in person, and so we headed to the Leonardo da Vinci Experience museum.
The museum housed accurate reproductions (copying even the actual materials he used) of around 20 of his greatest paintings, and also 50 models of his inventions were on display. Most of the inventions allowed hands on interaction which we enjoyed. Two of the art works we had seen originals of earlier in our trip. It was interesting also to see one of his unfinished paintings and the sketching and planning visible in the unfinished sections of the work.

Some more window shopping on the way back and an afternoon of resting before the girls hit the clothing shops in the evening. Loving the late hours with major shops open until 9 or 10pm even on a Sunday night.

Monday was our last day in Rome, and with nothing specific planned (and a bit of rain forecast) it was a bit of shopping and chilling out in preparation for our flights home. Our last meal of the trip was definitely our best - a nice little Italian restaurant with incredibly good steak, lasagne and pasta. Molto Bene!!

It's been a great trip but we can't wait to get home now.
We're looking forward to seeing Kimba, and catching up with friends and family. See you soon!

Sarah: The self supporting bridge and the octagonal mirror room at the Leorardo Da Vinci Museum were cool.

Scott: Do you think Dad could make me the one where you turn the handle and it makes the hammer hit the table.

April: The inventions in the museum were really cool - especially the bridge.