Treasures of the Vatican

Beginning in 1508, Michelangelo took his paintbrush to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, located in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. Michelangelo’s beautiful frescoes, considered to be among his finest achievements in painting, were first displayed to the public on November 1, 1512. Now, 500 years later, the ceiling is still awe-inspiring.

The chapel ceiling is just one of many wonders in Vatican City, the Papal state and center of Catholicism located inside the city of Rome. Vatican City has a perimeter of just than two miles around, but this tiny state – considered to be one of the world’s smallest countries – is packed with historical, artistic and architectural treasures.

Much of the Vatican is not open to tourists, but the buildings and museums that are open are spectacular. These include St. Peter’s Basilica: the magnificent dome is the tallest in the world. The vast interior of the church is exquisitely detailed and almost overwhelming in its scale and beauty.

Inside the Apostolic Palace, the Vatican Museums are filled with priceless paintings and sculptures. Some of the best-known are Raphael’s The Transfiguration; da Vinci’s St. Jerome in the Wilderness; and Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ.  The Vatican’s collection of modern religious art is located in the Borgia Apartment, a beautifully restored series of rooms.

Many visitors also want to see Pope Benedict XVI, who often delivers a blessing from the window of his apartment above St. Peter’s Square at noon on Sundays. When in residence, he also holds Papal audiences on Wednesdays. You might catch sight of the Popemobile traveling across St. Peter’s Square at about 10 a.m., but you’ll need to secure a ticket to actually attend a Papal audience. Tickets can be obtained in advance from the Swiss Guards at their station in St. Peter’s Square.

Whether or not you plan to attend a Papal audience, when you visit the Vatican you must dress appropriately. The dress code for visitors specifies no bare shoulders, no shorts, and no skirts above the knee. This dress code is strictly enforced: visitors who don’t meet it are denied entrance and are directed to nearby shops where they can purchase appropriate clothing.

For more information about visiting Vatican City, as well as the city of Rome, talk with your travel professional.

Riding Up the Jungfraubahn

Railway enthusiasts already know that 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the Jungfraubahn, the world’s highest railway. Located in Switzerland’s stunning Bernese Alps, near the town of Interlaken, the 1,000 mm railway chugs nine kilometers from the Kleine Scheidegg station to Europe’s highest railway station on Jungfrau mountain.

Most of the trip takes place in a tunnel dug through the massive mountains of Eiger and Mönch. The train stops at two stations, where large windows carved out of the mountainside frame fantastic views. At the Eigerwand station, you’ll see panoramic views of Eiger’s north face and the lovely ski resort town of Grindelwald. At the Eismeer station, you’ll marvel at views of a massive glacier. At the final station, Jungfraujoch, view the frozen summit of Jungfrau from the Sphinx Observation Platform; walk through the Ice Palace, decorated with beautiful ice carvings; and enjoy a hot drink in the station complex.

While the Bernese Alps are a major skiing and snowboarding destination, there’s much more to do there – not only in winter, but all year long. The town of Interlaken lies between two mountain lakes, Thunersee and Brienzersee, that get warm enough for swimming in the summer. You can also explore the hiking and mountain biking trails and try out adventure sports like bungee jumping, river rafting, paragliding and skydiving.

In the winter, recreational opportunities abound. In addition to Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding, visitors can go sledding (the longest sledding run in Europe is on Faulhorn mountain) and ice skating.

In any season, visitors enjoy the ubiquitous fondue restaurants, cozy taverns and souvenir shops along Interlaken’s main street. Be sure to browse the Swiss-made watches, knives, music boxes and chocolates. Brienz, a town at the other end of Brienzersee, is known for its top-class woodcarvers.

If you’re able to visit before October 21, you can purchase a special Jungfrau Centenary Pass. In addition to a trip up to Jungfraujoch station, the pass provides three days of travel on the Jungfrau Railways network, which includes links between Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg. Talk with your travel professional to find out about air travel and lodging options in and around Interlaken.

Discovering Creative Scotland

This summer, all eyes have been on London for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, followed by the thrilling Summer Olympic Games. However, plenty has been going on in the rest of Britain, including the Year of Creative Scotland. This year-long program of festivals, performances and other events, ranging from writers’ workshops to major multimedia exhibitions, showcases the nation’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.

Year of Creative Scotland events are taking place all over the country, including the major cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. While you’re there to discover Scotland’s creative side, be sure to enjoy some of the historic sights, too.

Edinburgh offers a fantastic collection of historic buildings, including the must-see Edinburgh Castle. Constructed and altered over several centuries, the castle includes the 12th-century St. Margaret’s Chapel; the Royal Palace where Mary, Queen of Scots, held court; and the National War Museum of Scotland.  In contrast, Craigmillar Castle, just south of the city, is essentially a shell – there are no preserved structures or furnishings inside these castle walls, but the atmosphere and views are wonderful.

To see the possible location of Camelot, climb the extinct volcano called Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park. While you’re unlikely to come across Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, it’s worth the climb to see the panoramic views of Edinburgh.

About 50 miles west of Edinburgh lies Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Spend some time browsing through “The Barras” – a nickname for the expansive Glasgow Barrowland Market. There are stalls full of everything from fruits and vegetables to kilts and hiking boots. Stay until evening, and you can dance at the Barrowland Ballroom.

Glasgow Green is the city’s oldest park, with beautiful landmarks like the McLennan Arch at the northwest entrance, and the People’s Palace museum, which has the Doulton Fountain in front and an elegant conservatory at the back. The Riverside Museum displays Scotland’s history of transport: the masts of an 18th-century ship near the sculpted metal waves over the museum’s entrance are a good indication of its blend of old and new. Also, don’t miss the famed architecture that can be found by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

For more ideas about things to see and do throughout Scotland, talk with your travel professional.