Jim’s Perspectives:
Traveling with the family has been the biggest highlight! After 100s of solo journeys around the world it was fun to play tour guide in Germany, Switzerland and Italy and Vatican City.
Took sightseeing tours of all the sights and wandered extensively through the streets on multiple shopping tours in Italy. Had a wonderful time on a half-day tour of the Vatican, which is the headquarters of the Catholic Church and its government.
Vatican City originated with the construction of a basilica over St. Peter’s grave in Rome in the 4th century A.D. It became a place where Christians would come to worship, and an important commercial district. In the 1300s-1400s the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica were built within the city limits. Vatican City was established in its current form as a sovereign country in 1929.
It is THE smallest country in the world, essentially a two-mile circle bordered by Rome. If you’ve run through Central Park, it’s about the size of the lake there. However, it’s likely the wealthiest country in the world as well.