The world's smallest and most literate country has a museum even more impressive than the Louvre or the Met. Meanwhile, its fortified castles remind you that not so long ago the Vatican controlled one of the most powerful armies in Europe. Today it wields power more subtly. As head of the western world's largest religion, the Vatican is essentially an absolute monarchy that owns enormous amounts of property all over the world. Naturally it's an amazing place to visit, especially as part of the overall Rome experience.