We've just returned from a fantastic fortnight in Rome and the nearby town of Bracciano. During our stay, we visited the Vatican Museums, certainly an inspiring place which would take several days to explore. It's advised to select a few rooms in order to avoid total exhaustion although on the plus side it is air conditioned! My personal favourite gallery was the Map gallery with its walls lined with colourful 16th century maps of Italy and its ceilings showing scenes from the church's history in each of the regions. I've yet to discover whether any of the maps or ceiling paintings are featured on Italian or Vatican stamps.
Having visited the Egyptian museum, the Pinacoteca (art gallery which includes works by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio) and many of the sculpture galleries and outside courtyards, we finally entered the Sistine Chapel, very crowded with tourists but a truly amazing sight.
My final call was to the Musuem of Stamps and Coins of the Vatican. All stamps ever issued by Vatican City since 1929 are here. They also have their own little post office. I bought stamps and postcards and duly posted them in the little wooden posting box, expecting an efficient service. Unfortunately, having just spoken with a friend to whom I mailed one of the cards on 4th July, it appears it has not yet arrived! Rather disappointing. At least I was easily able to purchase stamps there, which was not the case in parts of Rome.
