When I visited Rome, we visited St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on a Wednesday. I didn't know it at the time, but Papal Audiences are held on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 AM either in St. Peter's Square or in the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall. I felt kind of blessed that we just stumbled upon this event. All you have to do is follow the crowds and arrive about two hours early in order to get a good seat or viewing position. We were there in November so it wasn't very crowded at all.
As we were making our way to St. Peter's Square, I came across this group of nuns on their way to see the Pope and this one sister turned and posed for me with sweetest smile.
If you're in Rome and want to see the Pope, the Audience is not a Mass, but a time for pilgrims and visitors to greet, and listen to, the Pope. It lasts about 1 ½ hours and includes prayers, singing, a brief homily or message, and blessings, all in different languages. It's quite a spectacle and I recommend it. You can actually get tickets through the Church of Santa Susanna to reserve a seat in the audience.
Vacation Photos: 10 Tips for Better Travel Photos
Don't forget to record your vacation adventures with photographic evidence of your good times. Your vacation photos are the best souvenir of any trip. I don't know about you, but I used to come back from trips with terrible photos so don't let this happen to you. Check out 10 Tips to Take Better Photos on Vacation. I have advice on not only how to take better photos, but also what's the best camera to buy, too.
Booking travel online should be quick and easy…not to mention affordable and that's why I like Expedia. Did you know that you can save up to $525 when you book your flight and hotel together at Expedia.com? For the best deals, book 60 days or more before you travel because usually the further out you plan, the better the package rate. ~Marianne Schwab
Top Travel Mistakes to Avoid Now
I have put together a list of the top five travel mistakes people make that translate into paying too much for a vacation no matter where you book your trip (through a travel agent, airline or online). ~Marianne Schwab
Avoid Jet Lag
You're packed and ready to go on vacation, so now comes the most important issue at hand: avoiding jet lag when you arrive at your destination. A survey by Conde Naste said that 93% of travelers get jet lag but you don't have to be one of them if you use my tips. ~Marianne Schwab
About Marianne Schwab TV Travel Show Producer
For over twenty years, TV Travel Show Producer, Marianne Schwab, has been collecting money saving travel tips as a travel producer for high profile television programs. She has flown all over the world and produced live television productions on location from Caesar's Palace on the Vegas Strip to the beautiful island of Oahu. Read more
