Exclusive Early Bird Vatican: VIP Entrance Before Crowds
Description
This tour allows you to enjoy the greatest masterpieces of the Vatican like Michelangelo’s “Pietà” and Raphael’s “School of Athens”, with a few other lucky ones! You will be amongst the the first visitors to enter the Vatican museums early in the morning before opening hours to the public. An exclusive experience not be be missed at all if possible. You will be able to admire the magnificent frescoes of the Sistine Chapel with other 35-40 people inside and sometimes even less. This is an exclusive service that only a few tour agencies are able to offer so wake up early and enjoy the world renowned Vatican museums at their full splendor!
The main difference between this tour and the “Early Morning Vatican” tour is that here you will have only 2% of the usual crowds inside, instead of 10%. You will enter the museums at 7:30 am instead of 8:00 am, which will give you a 30 minutes advantage time on the other visitors.
After the complimentary pick-up from your accommodation, you will meet your tour guide in front of the Vatican entrance and with your special early morning admission ticket, you will walk through the dedicated lane and enter the empty museums. The tour will begin in a gorgeous panoramic terrace that offers a stunning view of St. Peter’s dome overlooking the Vatican gardens. Your guide will then walk you through all the highlights of the museums which include masterpieces and artifacts from different cultures and civilizations.
You will visit the Pio Clementine museum, you will gasp at the length of the enormous Tapestry Hall, then, through the Hall of the painted maps, you will enter the Sistine Chapel whose impact in history, religion and visual arts has no equal in the world.
After visiting the Sistine Chapel, through a special door available only if accompanied by your tour guide, you will reach the largest Catholic church in the world: St. Peter’s Basilica. This is where Michelangelo’s sculpture “Pieta” is kept and the tombs of the popes including St. John Paul II’s and St. Peter the Apostle.
The tour ends in St. Peter’s square, where you will admire Bernini’s colonnade and the stunning façade of the basilica.
You will enjoy a complimentary hotel drop-off after the tour.
Meeting Point
At check-out, before your purchase is confirmed, you will be kindly asked to leave the written address of your accommodation or potential meeting point. This implies the name of the hotel, bed & breakfast or residence in which you will be staying as long as it is situated within the city centre. Such requirements are necessary for pick-up and private services only.
What's Included
- Licensed tour guide
- VIP early bird admission tickets
- Hotel pickup and drop-off with English-speaking driver and luxury transportation
- Complimentary bottled water
What's Not
- Optional gratuities
Languages Available
English, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, German, Portuguese, Chinese
What You'll Do
- Meet your private driver in the meeting point you have indicated on the reservation
- Drive in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle to the Vatican museums
- Walk through the dedicated VIP lane and enter the museums, with maximum other 35-40 people, before the early morning opening hour
- Learn about some of the most important Roman sculptures and frescoes without the noise and chaos of large crowds
- Enter and gasp at the unique beauty of the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy the magical moment with other 30-40 people inside
- Finally, visit the largest Catholic church in the world: St. Peter's Basilica
What To Remember
- The driver or tour guide will meet you at the start time and location you have indicated and will wait for a maximum of 30 minutes. Missed tours cannot be refunded.
- Please remember to inform us if a member of your party needs wheelchair access.
- Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended since this tour involves a fair amount of walking.
- The tour operator is not responsible for last minute, unpredictable closures, strikes or union meetings. Nevertheless, the tour operator will be happy to offer customers an extended tour for the remaining time.
- The tour is free of charge for children under the age of 6.
- 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.