Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

Summary

Skip the Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica

Description

Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

A holiday in Rome without visiting the Vatican is like a day at the beach without swimming in the sea. See the best of the Vatican museums and gain direct entrance with skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, while our excellent guides entertain you with stories that go with each masterpiece. . This budget-friendly tour is the best value for money for travellers that are interested in 1) seeing the museum’s highlights 2) meeting a new friend or two through your group and 3) skipping the lines (trust us, with over 6 million tourist spilling into the museum every year, you'll want it!) . Disclaimer: you will be entering the Vatican museum during one of the busiest times of the day. While the tour provides skip-the-line access, the crowds in the museum vary from day to day and some delay with security can be expected (it would be misleading for other tour operators to not tell you this!)

What's included

Below are items that the provider has stated are included with Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica at no additional cost

What's NOT included

Below are items that the tour provider of Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica has stated that may cost an additional fee if desired.

Points Of Interest

• 40 minutes: Meet your tour guide at our office, located in the oldest neighbourhoods of the Vatican, Borgo Pio. Following a self introduction by your guide, you will walk through the charming shops of the Borgo, as he/she shares some local tips for eating and site seeing in Rome, including off the beaten track sites that you must visit during your holiday! Some background will also be provided on the history of the Sistine Chapel (we do it here as the chapel forbids noise and travellers are expected to observe silence once entering).
• minutes: Admire the flags and surrounding embassies as you walk through this street, which serve as the primary access point to St. Peter's Square, and by extension, to the Vatican City itself.
• 20 minutes: We arrive at St. Peter's Square, which is marked by a towering Egyptian obelisk and enveloped by columns and statues of saints. Hear about the history of the square and the legendary artist Bernini who designed it. Fun fact- the Pope addresses crowds from his apartment window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, during the Papal audience held every Wednesday and Sunday morning.
• 15 minutes: En route to the museum, you will get to see and hear about how residents of the smallest city in the word go about their day to day life (including getting their mail!) Snap a pic of the Swiss guards- the pontifical bodyguards in their distinctly Renaissance uniforms. Our Tip: send yourself a post card after the tour. The post office sells a variety of memorabilia, including stamps with Pope Francis's face! Then, slowly head towards the museum's entrance, where you will be led to a special area reserved for skip-the-line groups.
• 45 minutes: Be prepared to hear about stories as your guide walk you through an astonishing collection of Roman and Greek statues, the gallery of tapestries, and a gallery of maps depicting 16th century Italy.
• 15 minutes: Admire Michelangelo's famous works, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement. This spectacular fresco evokes lifelike images within the mind, vividly portraying stories of mankind in the biblical era. Note that the museum requires visitors to observe silence and a dress code (knees and shoulders covered).
• 15 minutes: You will be brought in front of St. Peter's Church, where a special entrance will allow you to enter directly from the museum and bypass the long queue out in the square. Got questions? Ask you guide before parting ways!

Additional Information

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Face masks required for travellers in public areas
• Face masks required for guides in public areas
• Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
• Social distancing enforced throughout experience
• Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
• Gear/equipment sanitised between use
• Guides required to regularly wash hands
• Regular temperature checks for staff
• Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
• Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
• Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
• COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
• THIS IS ONE OF THE ONLY 2022 TOURS THAT INCLUDES ST.PETER'S BASILICA. Visitors are in for a treat since the Vatican Museums,Sistine Chapel (both also included) & St.Peter's Basilica have never been this EMPTY!