Rome Italy - March 31 - April 8 2007 / Heading For The Cupola in the Dome - way up there ... 320 steps AFTER the elevator dropped us off. To climb the dome we opted to take the elevator and then climbed the 320 steps for a closer look at the Mosaics. The final ascent was via a spiral staircase that took us to the top of the lantern from where you can see and marvel at the panoramic views of Rome (when not hazy). Judith L. Trest 4/14/2007