The Vatican City has the capacity to send you back in time. As the only UNESCO World Heritage Site to span an entire site, it is a hub of history and culture. Whether the Vatican is simply a day trip or the focus of your vacation, you will be sure to leave not only amazed but inspired as well. In order to travel to Italy, where the Vatican is located, you will need to invest in a passport. Great new services online make passport renewal as easy as a few clicks, and with passports for yourself and your whole family, you can experience the very real history of the Vatican City.

This tiny, yet powerful place is ruled by the Pope, and found within Rome, Italy. When you're trekking around this walled city, it's hard not to run into the renowned Vatican Gardens, which occupy roughly half of the land. Since the middle ages, these gardens have never failed to intoxicate visitors with their natural charm and exotic flora. Their gardens are also adorned with fascinating sculptures and babbling fountains.

The historical past of Vatican City is famously rich and intriguing. Even though it has only been an established state since the early 1920's, the history of the Vatican extends back many, many years. It is rumored that Saint Peter was buried at this site, which is maybe the reason that it is such a sought after destination. More specifically, the Circus of Nero is said to be the place of Peter's death. Built in AD 40, the Saint was crucified upside down at this place. And still today, history continues to generate in the Vatican.

Vatican City is home to some of the most famous artistic masterpieces on Earth. Within St. Peter's Basilica, located over the spot where St. Peter is rumored to be buried, is home to some of these works. The architects and artists who dedicated their time to the Basilica include Bramante, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Maderno, and Bernini, making it a piece of art that combines the collective talent and vision unlike any in the world. The Sistine Chapel is another famous location for beautiful Renaissance art. Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Botticelli are contributors to its grandeur, while it's probably most notably famous for its ceilings by Michelangelo. The Sistine Chapel is the location of the famous Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment. And with the help of an efficient pass port expediting service online, you and your family can get passports and see these world famous masterpieces for yourself.

Your travels should certainly include an experience with the Swiss Guards. Initially a collection of Swiss mercenaries, the Swiss Guard was officially established in the early 1500's. Pope Julius II created this guard for the purpose of protecting the Pope. The guard is limited to men who are Catholic and citizens of Switzerland.

So if you're looking for a vacation that combines history, art, and culture, take the time to look into visiting Vatican City. And now, United States passport renewal has become not only very easy but also very convenient thanks to online services. A US passport expediting service is among many of the services that these sites offer. So if you need to renew your passport or get your first one before you travel, definitely take a look into these useful sites.