12:30 PM - You will meet your professionally trained, English speaking guide in the lobby of your hotel and walk to your private motor coach for your afternoon tour of the “Vatican City”, the smallest state in the world. The museum is made up of over one thousand rooms and galleries containing a multitude of amazing treasures collected by Popes throughout the centuries. It would take days to even scratch the surface. You will have time to see some of the most important galleries and outstanding museum pieces but please be aware that you will only see a portion of the museum, and that the lines to enter are typically long with waits to be expected.

At the end of the museum tour is the Sistine Chapel. Built between the years 1473 and 1481, it is the best-known chapel in the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. Part of its fame rests on its architecture with internal measurements of 134 feet long by 44 feet wide, the dimensions of Solomon's Temple as given in the Old Testament. Adding to its fame is its decoration, with frescoes throughout by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, and Botticelli. Under the patronage of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo painted 12,000 square feet of the chapel ceiling, 68 feet above the floor, between the years 1508 and 1512. Although he resented the commission, today the ceiling, and especially The Last Judgment, is widely believed to be Michelangelo's crowning achievements in painting.

Your last visit in the Vatican City is St. Peter's Basilica. The Basilica of Saint Peter has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites in the world. It is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Catholic tradition holds that Saint Peter's tomb is below the altar of the basilica. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century.

Based on the design of Donato Brumante, the current building's foundation stone was laid on April 18, 1506. Five other designers and two additional Popes would be involved before Michelangelo, then in his seventies, was forced to become the designer in 1547. He is the man considered the principle designer of a majority of the present day building’s interior as well as the man who finally got the construction moving forward. After he died, it would take 60 more years and several more designers to see it finished. Among the many fine pieces of art and mosaics on display are Michelangelo's "Pieta" and the beautifully carved Bernini Pulpit. After some free time for photos and shopping in St Peter’s Square, walk to the coach parking area, approximately 10 minutes from the front of St Peter’s Square, for your return to the hotel.

The Tour is inclusive of: - Private 32 seats Deluxe Motorcoach (4hrs). - Licensed English speaking Guide (4hrs). - Entrance fees at Vatican Museums and Priority Line reservation fees. - Head-sets included for the half day tour. - Entrance and Vatican Parking Fees.

Pick up :Hotel Parco dei Principi Drop off: Hotel Parco dei Principi Departure from Hotel: 12:30 am Difficulties: Extensive walking is required as the museum starts at one end of the complex and ends at the far side. From here, you pass into the Sistine Chapel which requires approximately 45 steps to reach. In the museum, chapel and St Peter’s there are extended periods of standing.

Dress: Strict dress code is enforced in the Vatican Museum (Sistine Chapel) and St. Peter's Basilica. Short pants, tank tops and revealing clothing are not acceptable. Guests should not bring large bags, backpacks, video cameras and/or personal water bottles as they will be required to check them at designated check points. The Vatican museum check point is located a 20 minute walk from where you exit St Peter’s. Flash photos are not permitted in the Vatican Museum. Video and photography are not permitted at any time in the Sistine Chapel. Kindly be also aware that in case of ongoing service mass, St. Peter’s Basilica might close at any time, with no advice, for security reasons, In this case the guide will make an outside explanation and you can enjoy free time in St. Peter’s square.