Private
Private Tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with hotel pick-up
Overview
There are places in the world that you visit, admire and move on from, and then there is the Vatican. Few places hold so much history, beauty and human imagination within such a small corner of the world.
This private half-day experience is designed to take you beyond simply looking at the Vatican’s masterpieces and help you understand the stories, people and ideas behind them. With your own knowledgeable local guide and VIP skip-the-line entrance, you can spend your time discovering the Vatican rather than waiting outside in its famously long queues.
Your journey begins through the extraordinary collections of the Vatican Museums, where centuries of art and history unfold from one gallery to the next. Ancient sculpture, richly decorated halls, Renaissance paintings and works commissioned by generations of popes reveal just how deeply Rome, faith and art have been intertwined through the centuries. Along the way, your guide brings the details to life, pointing out symbols, stories and small touches that are easily missed when exploring alone.
Among the highlights are the celebrated Raphael Rooms, whose magnificent frescoes offer a glimpse into one of the most remarkable periods of the Italian Renaissance. Yet even these beautiful rooms are only a prelude to what awaits inside the Sistine Chapel.
Stepping into the chapel is one of those rare travel moments that needs very little introduction. Above you stretches Michelangelo's legendary ceiling, painted between 1508 and 1512, with scenes of creation, humanity, struggle and salvation unfolding across one of the most extraordinary artistic achievements ever created. Seeing The Creation of Adam and the surrounding frescoes in person gives an entirely different sense of their scale and detail, and with the context provided by your guide, the familiar images begin to tell a much richer story.
The experience continues with St. Peter's Basilica, one of Christianity's most important churches and one of Rome's greatest architectural treasures. Its immense proportions, soaring dome, marble interiors, sculptures and centuries of artistic craftsmanship are difficult to appreciate until you are standing beneath them. It is a fitting finale to a journey through a place where history, spirituality and some of the greatest artistic minds of the Renaissance come together.
With hotel pick-up, private guiding and skip-the-line entrance included, the experience is intended to feel relaxed and personal rather than rushed. Instead of simply checking the Vatican off a sightseeing list, you leave with a better understanding of what you have seen, and, very often, with a completely new appreciation for the people who created it.
For anyone visiting Rome for the first time, or returning with the desire to experience the Vatican in greater depth, this is one of those mornings or afternoons that can easily become a lasting memory of Italy.
Duration
3 hours
30 minutes
Starting From
EUR 235
Per person
Tailored to your departure and group.
Discover the Vatican on a private guided tour with VIP skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica, while uncovering the stories behind their most remarkable masterpieces.
- Tour Style
- Private
- Hotel Pickup
- TBA
Gallery
Inclusions & Exclusions
What's Included
- VIP skip-the-line entrance tickets to the Vatican Museums
- Entrance fees
- Private English-speaking local guide
- Guided visit to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
- Hotel pick-up
What's Not Included
- Lunch and refreshments
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Any services not specifically mentioned as included
Traveler Reviews
Emily and David DavisonMy husband and I just took a two week trip to Italy that was planned for us by Eleanor Kinchin-Smith. It was a fantastic trip and we could not have been more thrilled. We worked together with Ele to let her know about our interests and our style of travel. She planned the perfect trip with excellent private guides at all of our sites, professional drivers and lovely hotels. We arrived in Italy with all of our train and ferry reservations made by Ele, with tickets in hand. She was in touch with us daily throughout our trip to make sure that things were going smoothly. She was able to make a few changes to our itinerary as needed. We look forward to working with Ele again on our next trip and have put her in touch with another family member to help plan their trip as well.
Ron and Deb CrosbyDear Guiseppe and Jesse,
We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future.
Hotels
1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we were part of their family. I would recommend it to anyone and would specifically ask for it if we were to make a return visit.
2. Hotel La Baia in Monterosso was nice and it's location was very good especially for us older folks humping luggage from/to the train station.
3. Hotel Lucchesi in Florence- what can I say expect FANTASTIC. The rooftop view at sunset is well worth it. Again very friendly and helpful staff. Would recommend it to everyone.
Wine Tour
Money well spent. We had a great time overall. The driver Mario was OUTSTANDING. He had lots of local knowledge as well as about winemaking. USE HIM AGAIN!!!
The various wineries we visited on tour:
Altesino- fantastic and they were not cheap on their pouring. Great experience.
Azienda Agricola Patrizia Cencion Sloaria- Again a great tour by one of the owner's daughters. We felt like we were the only thing on their mind although there were other customers there. A great way to complete the day.
Again we had a fantastic time and are very appreciative of everything you booked for us. We wish you continued success and if our travels should bring us back to Italy, we know who to call.
Leon and MicheleThe trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.
Bob & SandyJesse & Giuseppe,
Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a private tour, or will we join a group?
Private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and the only people on the itinerary are the ones you bring with you. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace of each day is yours to set.
Can the itinerary be changed to suit us?
Yes. What you see here is a starting point, not a fixed departure. Tell us how long you have, what you love and what you would rather skip, and we will reshape it around you. A slower morning, an extra night somewhere you fell for, a different region entirely.
How do we start planning?
Send us a note using the form on this page, or call us on 1-866-779-2565. A travel specialist replies within one business day, usually with a few questions of their own. There is no cost and no obligation in asking.
When should we book?
The earlier the better, particularly for travel between May and September, when the guides worth having are taken first. That said, we have put together beautiful trips at short notice, so ask and we will tell you honestly what is still possible for your dates.
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