Exclusive Vatican Tour

Photo of Exclusive Vatican Tour
Price: $170.00
Due to new regulations at the Vatican Museum, additional information is required to book this tour. Please see the PLEASE NOTE area at the bottom of the description section.

Please note: Infants seated in adult's lap are free of charge.
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Summary
Shore Excursion Size ? Small
Shore Excursion Type Cultural
Shore Excursion Duration 3 Hours
Activity Level ? Moderate
Shore Excursion Leaves From ? The Vatican.
Food/Beverage Provided Not Included
Recommended Dress Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter St. Peter's Basilica. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not permitted. Sensible, rubber-soled walking shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended.
Restrictions This tour takes place in historical areas and, therefore, is not fully wheelchair accessible. This tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or those who use partly-motorized vehicles or walkers. Guests must be able to walk on paved, as well as cobblestone surfaces. There are steps and steep curbs in some areas. Children ages 5 and younger may attend the tour free of charge with advanced notice at the time of booking.

Exclusive Vatican Tour

On your small group Vatican tour, see the renowned Sistine Chapel, enjoy skip-the-line access to the great works within the Vatican Museums, and admire the beauty of Saint Peter's Basilica for a comprehensive view of this unique city-state. As you explore the beautiful detail and intricacy of Michaelangelo's art, listen to what your expert guide has to share you about the lives of great artists who spent time working at the Vatican.

Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will answer any questions you might have during your Vatican tour. As you explore the area, discuss with your small group the great works on display at the Vatican and interpret their meanings. In the Sistine Chapel, discover the beauty of Michelangelo's famous frescoes and examine their beauty for as long as you'd like. As you look up and around, you'll learn about the relationship between Pope Julius II and Michelangelo and how this relationship helped Michelangelo to create some of the greatest work known to the world.

On this intimate tour of the Vatican, open both your eyes and your ears. While you walk from room to room exploring each exquisite collection of art, your guide will entertain you with stories about famous Popes. Hear about their love of art and glamorous lifestyles.

Your tour continues as you visit Saint Peter's Basilica, where you can discover a vast array of artistic beauty. Discuss Michelangelo's "Pieta," the piece that caused Pope Julius II to contact the young artist for other, more important works he had in mind. You can't miss Bernini's 98-foot tall bronze baldacchino, which towers above the chapel's altar. Gaze upward to be awed by the exquisite dome, designed by Michelangelo and eventually completed by Giacomo della Porta and Fontana in 1590. Listen to the story of the simple fisherman who became St. Peter, the first Pope of Christianity, and how his great deeds inspired the iconic basilica.

Take in the Belvedere courtyard and the impressive Pio Clementino museum, with its beautiful Greek and Roman statues. Your guide will also show you the stunning candelabra gallery and the tapestries gallery, the Borgia's apartment, and examples of Bernini and Bramante's work. The final part of the tour will focus on Saint Peter's square, home to important Papal ceremonies. Here you will have time to admire Michaelangelo's Dome and Bernini's colonnades. Immerse yourself in ancient art and learn about the history of the Catholic church and its leaders on this guided, small group Vatican tour.

Please Note: This tour takes place in Rome. Guests on ships docking in Civitavecchia will need to make their own way to Rome from Civitavecchia (approximately 50 miles away) at their own expense. A taxi ride takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to and from the pier each way. There is train service from nearby train stations, and the average trip takes approximately 90 minutes each way. Your cruise ship may offer a shuttle to a nearby station.