So you're not catching a plane to Rome this spring? Never mind. This spectacular virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel will introduce you to one of the Eternal City's most popular sites. The tour is not new, but is well worth seeing in case you've previously missed it, as I had before a friend called it to my attention.

As tourists know only too well, the chapel is always jam packed with fellow gawkers so it's pretty much impossible to experience the intimidating power of Michelangelo's "Last Judgement" fresco (1536 - 1541) above the altar, or to appreciate the delicacy and grandeur of his ceiling frescoes (1508-1512). The Old Testament scenes on the side walls were mostly done by other artists (Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio) and they too are jewel-toned gems.

Thanks to this splendid high-definition virtual tour, you can enjoy a 360 degree tour of the entire chapel, lingering as long as you want without fear that minders will shoo you out. In the lower left, click on the plus (+) to move closer or on the (-) to move away. Drag the arrow in the direction you wish to go. It was produced by Villanova University in 2010 at the request of the Vatican. Money well spent.