Ultimate Vatican Behind-The-Scenes

9.5 hours | Rome (Civitavecchia) | R O M - 1 5 5
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$ 209.95
Medical restriction (See special notes)

Points of Interest

  • St. Peter's Square and Basilica
  • Colosseum
  • Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Strenuous activity

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

WHAT YOU VISIT
Vatican Gardens
Covering 57 acres, the Vatican Gardens have been a place of quiet and meditation for the popes since 1279 when Nicholas III moved his residence back to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace. Stroll the serene garden and see the House of Pope Ratzinger, the Fontana dell'Aquilone fountain, and a portion of the original Berlin wall.

Cabinet of the Masks
This constitutes an exclusive area of the galleries, whose name comes from the beautiful Roman mosaics depicting masks that adorn its floor.
Along with tiled mosaic, paintings and stucco that decorate this room, the Cabinet of Masks also features several works of sculpture.

Sistine Chapel
A walk into the Sistine Chapel will certainly fill you with awe as you gaze upon its splendid walls decorated with frescoes by artists such as Botticelli, Perugino and Signorelli, and ceiling painted by Michelangelo. Built between 1473 and 1481, a recent restoration has revealed the beautiful colors that were used in Michelangelo's exquisite artwork.

Peter's Square
Designed by Bernini and constructed between 1656 and 1667, the 1,049-foot x 787- wide square boasts stunning fountains; an 82-foot-tall obelisk, which dates to 13th century Egypt; a colonnade by Bernini topped with 140 statues of saints; and colossal statues of St. Peter and St. Paul, the patron saints of Rome.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
St. Peter's Basilica
Consecrated in 1626, St. Peter's stands on the traditional site where Peter, the apostle who is considered the first pope, was crucified and buried. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter's Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th century. With the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica holds 60,000 people and is regarded as one of the holiest and the greatest of all churches of Christendom.

Be aware that in most parts of the Vatican, you are allowed to take photos but you can't use flash photography, and you can't use selfie sticks or tripods. In the Sistine Chapel, no photography is permitted.

LUNCH
Treat yourself to lunch at one of the cozy cafés or restaurants before embarking on a self-guided tour.

WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Before returning to Civitavecchia, you'll embark on a panoramic tour of the Eternal City. From the comfort of your seat, you'll see renowned landmarks such as Circus Maximus, Caracalla Baths, St. Angel Castle and the Colosseum.

Special Notes:

Please Note: free time may be modified to adhere to local regulations and guidelines for COVID 19 protocols.

The walk is about 2.0 km, over even/ uneven, cobblestone surfaces and involves approximately 250 steps to negotiate. This tour is not suggested to Guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair. Please note that the Vatican Gardens are not wheelchair accessible. A strict dress code is enforced in the Vatican Museum (Sistine Chapel)

Short pants, tank tops and revealing clothing are not acceptable. Guests may be required to check large bags,backpacks,video cameras and/or personal water bottles at designated check points. Flash photos are not permitted in the Vatican Museum. Video and photography are not permitted at any time in the Sistine Chapel. Should the designed motor coach drop off/pick up point for St. Peters Square be congested or unavailable,an alternative drop off/pick up point location will be used.

Please note that an additional 15 minutes walking portion of 0.6 miles from/to the alternative location should be considered.Lunch is not included in this tour.Please be aware that ongoing restoration work is often being carried out at the various venues visited.The order of the tour may be reversed or altered depending on traffic or local conditions.This tour does not operate on Wednesday and Sundays or religious holidays.Should the Vatican Parking not be available tour will include an additional 30-minute walk.

Medical Restriction:

This tour includes a considerable amount of walking is not recommended for passengers using wheelchairs or with mobility difficulties.Walking is required over about a mile of even and uneven ground, cobblestone surfaces and approximately 250 steps. When the designated motorcoach drop off/pick up point for St Peter's Basilica is congested or unavailable, an alternative drop-off/pick-up point is used, requiring an additional walk of .6-mile