Our Fall Break Trip to Rome Part I - Saint Peter's Basilica

Last year for fall break we didn't go anywhere.  That was fine - the kids had school and I had plenty of work to do.  This year Yulia was really anxious to go somewhere new and different.  One of the appeals of living and working in Kazakhstan was the chance to travel.  We decided on Rome (over Istanbul) and made arrangements.  Yulia booked our flight through the Russian airline Transaero and rented a two-room bed and breakfast flat near the Vatican.

Transaero has been going through a difficult time.  The airline was expanding quickly and had purchased a number of new aircraft.  When sanctions hit Russia and the Ruble started to lose value, the company was hard hit.  Right after we booked our tickets, it was announced that the company would be purchased by Aeroflot.  The week before we were supposed to fly, that deal fell through and the company announced that it was going bankrupt and would cease flying on 15 December.  Starting on October 2, they started cancelling flights - and would only confirm 24-48 hours in advance whether a flight was still going to occur.

We had booked our tickets through Travelocity, so we tried to call on Wednesday (October 7) to see if we could cancel our tickets.  They said that we couldn't unless the airline cancelled the flight, and we wouldn't know that the airline cancelled the flight until Friday evening or Saturday morning.  We were scheduled to fly out on Sunday morning (the 11th) at 6:20 a.m.  We decided that we would wait and see (we had thought if we could cancel that we would try to fly somewhere else - maybe Poland or Germany - because flights are cheaper and more available there).

Our flight wasn't cancelled - so we were on.  We decided that we would roll with whatever came our way flightwise.

Ready to fly!

Sunday morning we woke up early and took two taxis to the airport.  We packed in all carry on configuration in case we were stuck somewhere.  We checked in with no problem and got seats near the front of the plane.  We knew that Transaero was a discount airline and didn't expect to even be fed, but we were given a nice breakfast.  The seats had enough room and the plane was clean and nice.  We landed at Vnukovo airport in Moscow at about 7:00a.m. local time.  Neither of us had flown through Vnukovo before (Just Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo), but the airport was nice.  We were able to get through our second security and passport check and find a seat.  There was a big group of orthodox jews waiting for a flight to New York at the gate next to us, and another group on its way to Israel a few gates down.  It was an opportunity to have an interesting conversation with our children about religious differences.

At Vnukovo airport in Moscow

It's been 4 years since we were in Moscow last time. We were barely here this time!

Our flight to Rome was nearly empty, but we had another nice flight - sitting in economy plus with LOTS of leg room.  We landed at Leonardo Da Vinci airport at around 1:00 p.m. and made it through passport control and customs without problem.  We were met by our taxi and driven to our hotel.  We had to wait for about twenty minutes for the them to come and open the doors and check us in.  Pierpaulo was the owner and he was very friendly.  He and his girlfriend Chiara talked to us for awhile, showed us the map and how to get around, and got the kids hooked on soy milk (it's in the fridge for breakfast).

Look at that awesome legroom on our flight to Rome!

Mediterranean Sea!

A view from the balcony of our B&B mini hotel

We unpacked and relaxed for a little while and then decided we'd walk around to get our bearings and to find the Metro station.  We found the Metro station easily (about a two block walk from our apartment). Then we started walking and accidentally found St. Peter's Basilica.  It was Sunday afternoon and there were quite a few people there, but there wasn't a big line, so we went in - for free - and were able to see the Basilica for a few hours.  We paid extra to go to the museum.  There was some art, a lot of artifacts, and some very interesting items - including little holders that have body parts from dead saints and popes.

Wandering on the streets of Rome

A view from the top of the steps that took us to Vatican

While wandering we came right to the Vatican wall!

Entrance to the Vatican Museums. It is closed on Sundays, so you see no lines!

Saint Peter's Plaza

Saint Peter's Plaza

Saint Peter's Plaza

Saint Peter's Plaza, view of the Basilica

The Basilica itself is very impressive.  We explained to the children that even though we have different religious beliefs, that this was a place of worship and that we should be reverent and respectful.  They did well.  The basilica is where they entomb the popes, and some of them are really on display (Lenin style), so that really got the kids' attention.  We spent about two hours walking around and really got to see things.

Entering Saint Peter's Basilica

Inside St. Peter's

Pope John Paul II Tomb

Another pope's tomb. There were a number of them here.

A view of the beautiful building.

Storm grate on the floor of polished brass. Papal keys in the middle.

Confessionals for Catholics who want to confess.

Girls examining a massive door at the exit

Swiss Guards at the entrance to Vatican City

The view of the Basilica. The chairs behind us are from the Pope's address to the public earlier that morning.

On our way back to our apartment, we stopped at a little pizza place.  One of the workers spoke a bit of English, and we used hand signals, smiles, and pointing to order.  It worked out well.  We had a very nice day and it really set the tone for the rest of our stay in Rome.

Some Sunday street market we came across while walking home from Vatican

Eating outside at the little pizza cafe

Rome at night! Beautiful!