I’m all for capitalism, but it always bothers me to see people charging for Papal Audience tickets – and so many people do!

$40 each (on sale!) for a free ticket and to have a ‘guide’ show you where to sit? Sure they also pick you up at a meeting point close to Termini, but a door to door private taxi from anywhere in Rome is cheaper and more convenient!

Visit my FREE Papal Calendar to view the Pope’s schedule. Click the link I provide (for FREE) to reserve your tickets. When you pick up your tickets, a lovely nun will show you for FREE where to sit.

Remember, Papal Audiences are always FREE.

Save your money and buy more gelato!

We are still working out the details.

It will be announced on the show as soon as we have everything finalized! Stay in the loop by signing up for our mailing list to the right!

Opa!

I just returned from Italy. It will take a few days to process everything, but it was definitely overall the ‘best and worst pilgrimage’ ever – and by worst, I mean ‘da best’!

Want to hear what it was like to travel with this amazing group, The Catholic Guy crew and The Catholic Traveler?

Tune in to Sirius 159 or XM 117 from 4:00 PM EST – 7:00 PM EST all this week to hear about it LIVE from Vatican Radio!

I am a huge fan of the Vatican Museums. I’ve probably been close to 50 times.

I think the Last Judgement is one of Michelangelo’s worst pieces of work, but just being inside the Sistine Chapel… wow!

I collect maps, so the map room is my favorite spot – especially on an autumn day when the windows are open and a light breeze flows through… I could spend the day there!

And being in the presence of the Belvedere Torso and the Laocoön… just incredible!

But, ever since I heard about the Vatican Museums opening at night, I’ve dreamed of being able to experience it.

For years I’ve been alerting my readers about the nighttime openings, but I’ve never been in Rome for them. Until tonight! And it was simply amazing!

I have a group arriving tomorrow. So, I was in my room preparing when I glanced out at the Vatican – my room looks right into the Vatican Museums. I noticed that the lights were still on and it’s was already after 8:30 PM. It then hit me that perhaps tonight was one of those nighttime openings.

I went on the Vatican Museums’ website and saw that tonight was indeed one of those nights!

Unfortunately tickets had to be purchased online and last entry was 8:30 PM. I tried to buy a ticket anyway, but the system wouldn’t let me.

Being coy won’t get you anywhere.

I grabbed my money and shoes and ran out the door and across the street.

I am often quite reserved and shy. But, I was determined I was getting in. I walked past the guards like I knew what I was doing, marched through security and walked up to a window ready to beg my way in. I explained that this was my dream, I bring several groups a year here, blah, blah, blah… and I was in!

Here you go…

I know, I know… ‘no photo’ and all that, but look at the Sistine Chapel, EMPTY!

I just had a cancellation for my Lino Rulli trip that departs next week!

With the timing of this cancellation and the space I already have reserved, I am only able to fill the space with a couple. It must be two people traveling together.

Also, because of the timing, I am only able to offer the ground pricing. However, tickets are still available on the same flights with the rest of the group through Delta.

Delta Flight 246 (nonstop)
Departs JFK at 5:35 PM on 07/09/10
Arrives FCO at 8:25 AM on 07/10/10

Delta Flight 137 (nonstop)
Departs PSA at 1:25 PM on 07/18/10
Arrives JFK at 5:15 PM on 07/18/10

Click here for all the details of the trip.

If you are interested, let me know!

One of the coolest travel videos ever…

A full 24 hour day. One second = 20 minutes.

My thoughts…
• I love how the dusk fades in and the flights begin to slow, then they pick up at dawn.

• I was surprised to see so many flights between the US and Europe.

• Who knew there were so many flights to Hawaii?

• A few flights from Russia go right over the North Pole, I get dizzy just thinking about that.

• That flight from Sydney to Johannesburg looks amazing! Cruising along the coast of Antarctica.

We are co-sponsoring an awesome contest that highlights our ‘incredible priests’.

If a priest had a positive impact on your life, we want to hear about it! Submit a video or essay with details and your priest could win a free trip to Rome! If your priest is chosen, you’ll win a $500 shopping spree with The Catholic Company!

This is really cool, all entries will be reviewed by Catholic Celebrity Judges!
Judges include long time friends of The Catholic Traveler, such as Danielle Bean, Lisa Hendey, Thomas Peters and Greg and Jennifer Willits, plus many more!

Deadline to enter is June 18, so get to submitting!

Other Sponsors:
The Catholic Company
The Maximus Group