Pope's Estate of Castel Gandolfo, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's: A Discovery Exclusive

Description

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

Opened to the public for the first time in its 389-year history, the Papal Estate of Castel Gandolfo, also known as the Ville Pontificie is a sanctuary of peace, tranquility and serenity. Perched on a hillside overlooking Lake Albano the 55-hectares complex lies just 15 miles southeast of Rome yet feels a world away and centuries apart from the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City.

Behold its beauty for yourself with a day-long excursion that not only visits the revered site but also includes tours of a trio of timeless landmarks within the Vatican City.

You'll have free time to explore the quaint village of Castel Gandolfo, where the Papal Palace lies (also known as the Apostolic Palace), at your leisure, shopping for mementos and religious articles. You'll also be free to choose where you have lunch, don't forget to bring plenty of Euros to cover your expenses.

To make your day even more enjoyable be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and conservative clothing (no shorts or sleeveless tops) and don't forget to bring your camera to capture every memorable moment.

Begin your adventure back in time with an approximate one-hour and 45 minutes coach ride from Civitavecchia to the ancient town of Castel Gandolfo, believed to date back 37 centuries. In the early 12th century the area became the property of the Gandolfi family who built a palace atop the first-century ruins of Roman Emperor Domitian's grand villa.

Originally designed as a fortress to ward off marauders, it has been the church's domain since 1596, and became the official papal summer residence in 1626 when Pope Urban VIII vacationed here.

Once you reach the top, the gates of Pontifical Villas will open. You will depart onboard of an eco-friendly transportation for an orientation drive of this majestic estate. Drive around the picturesque garden dressed in spectacular blooms and edged with towering cypress trees. Marvel at the cloud-shaped crowns of umbrella pines and the blue-green of age-old cedars before moving on to the farmhouse. Covering 61 acres the farmhouse supplies olive oil, wine and fresh milk for the Vatican State's residents.
An exclusive stop will be made at the Antiquarium, a small museum which houses Roman sculptures found in the Emperor's Domitian Palace.

At the end of your amazing tour you'll walk to Castel Gandolfo village for lunch and shopping on your own. As you steadily climb up the hill to the Papal Palace you'll have a bird's eye view of Lake Albano, a small volcanic crater lake resting at the foot of Monte Cavo.

Then, you'll rejoin your coach and take a Panoramic drive en route to the Vatican City.

Step off at the Vatican Museum for a guided tour of its rich collections, including the 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.
Continue to the Sistine Chapel. Gaze up at the renowned ceiling and be mesmerized by Michelangelo's artwork. Last on your itinerary is a brief sojourn to St. Peter's Square and the St. Peter's Basilica outside visit.
When it's time to call it a day, you'll travel back to your waiting ship.

Special Notes:

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

This tour includes extensive walking on cobblestone surfaces as well as negotiating 250 steps while visiting the Vatican Museum. This tour is not recommended for Guests on wheelchair and Guests with walking difficulties.
The drive between Civitavecchia and Rome is approximately 1 1/2 hours, subject to traffic conditions. Sightseeing in the Vatican City will be on foot as motorcoaches are not permitted in the vicinity. This tour involves a great amount of walking, therefore it is not recommended to Guests with walking difficulties or using wheelchairs. Guests must be able to negotiate the steps of the coach.
Visitors must pass through metal detectors at the Vatican Museum. Large bags or umbrellas, bottled water, video cameras, knives or scissors must be checked at the security check-points. Large back-packs or bags cannot be taken inside Vatican Museum. Flash photos are not permitted in the Vatican Museum. Photography and video are not permitted at all in the Sistine Chapel.
You might encounter considerable crowds, lines and delays at the venues.
Please be aware that ongoing restoration work is often being carried out at the various venues visited.
Tour order may vary but always covering the same sites.