Off-the-beaten-Path Skip the line Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Vatican Museums

  This tour is an opportunity to learn about the Vatican, its history and that of the Roman Catholic Church and its many Popes.  It offers an alternative view of the Vatican Museums, away from the usual tourist trail. Reach the Vatican Museums and skip the queues, you will explore parts of the Vatican not included in the usual tourist itineraries.  In the Gallery of Paintings you will see masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Tiziano and much more!  You will then have the opportunity to explore the wonderful Carriage Pavilion.  Here there are numerous vehicles used by the Popes over the centuries.  You will see a Grand Gala Berlin made in Rome for Pope Leo XII in 1826.  There is the Fiat Compagnola where in 1981 in St Peters Square Pope John Paul was standing when an attempt was made on his life.  In addition there are three Popemobiles (Land Rover, Toyota and Mercedes 230 GE) as well as the Renault 4 donated by Pope Francis in 2013.  There is then a visit to the Courtyard of the Pine Cone (cortile della Pigna) followed by a visit to the New Wing.  This has recently been re-opened and has on display a wonderful statue of The Emperor Augustus of Primaporta and a mysterious statue of the River Nile.  Originally inaugurated in 1822, the Gallery displays works that were confiscated by Napoleon and retuned to the Vatican following his defeat.  Your guide will then take to admire the amazing Sistine Chapel, which is Italy's most visited site. You'll learn about Michelangelo's frescoes especially the Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis. You will also see in details the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted by Botticelli, Perugino and other famous Renaissance masters. The Chapel also the venue of the popes election. The guide will tell you anecdotes and secrets behind the scene. As the tour ends here, you can spend as much time you wish admiring it. Join us on this stress-free visit to the marvelous Vatican City.

  2 hours • Admission ticket included
• 2
  Sistine Chapel

  Your guide will then take to admire the amazing Sistine Chapel, which is Italy's most visited site. You'll learn about Michelangelo's frescoes especially the Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis. You will also see in details the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted by Botticelli, Perugino and other famous Renaissance masters. The Chapel also the venue of the popes election. The guide will tell you anecdotes and secrets behind the scene. As the tour ends here, you can spend as much time you wish admiring it. Join us on this stress-free visit to the marvelous Vatican City.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3
  St. Peter's Basilica

  It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4
  St. Peter's Square

  The tour will end in the Magnificent Saint Peter's Square

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
• READ CAREFULLY: Because of the growing popularity of the current pope and his intense activity in organising mass events in the Vatican some areas might get closed last minute without previous notice. This has already happened this year and can happen again during you Vatican tour: the Sistine chapel and/or the Basilica of Saint Peter might not be accessible. In case of such events our tour guide will provide you with a valuable alternative focusing the tour inside the Vatican museums.

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