 This is a combination tour of the Vatican Museums & St. Peter's and Basilicas & Catacombs tours.
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's: Visit the Vatican Museums and a large part of the Vatican City, one of the European microstates, situated on the Vatican Hill in the west-central part of Rome. Its borders closely follow the city wall constructed to protect the Pope from an outside attack. Leaving the Piazza San Bernardo adorned by Moses' Fountain, the itinerary will continue passing by Via Bissolati, Via Veneto and the Villa Borghese. After this ample panoramic view, we will visit the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Galleries (lines possible at the entrance). There you can admire the modern entrance built for the Jubilee 2000, the Galleries of the Chandeliers, of the Tapestries and of the Geographical Maps, the Sobiesky Hall and the Immaculate Conception Hall. We will then stop to admire the Sistine Chapel, seat of the Conclave, with the famous frescoes of Michelangelo. Passing inside the Vatican Museums we will arrive into the Basilica of Saint Peter, commonly called Saint Peter's Basilica, one of four major basilicas of Rome. It is the most prominent building inside the Vatican City and built on the ruins of Old Saint Peter's Basilica. After this portion of the tour we will lunch in a typical restaurant.
Basilicas & Catacombs: Leaving from Piazza San Bernardo, crossing Piazza della Repubblica, we will reach and visit the Basilica of St. John in Lateran (internal visit), cathedral of Rome and of the world, famous for its baroque and medieval masterpieces kept intact inside of it. We will also go to the Holy Stairs, consisting of twenty-eight white marble steps, now encased by wooden steps. According to tradition, the staircases were part of the praetorium of Pilate in Jerusalem, hence were sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus Christ during his Passion. Leaving the Basilica and skirting along the Mura Latine, the tour will pass through the Porta di San Sebastiano to arrive on the Ancient Appian Way, where we will pass the Chapel of "Domine Quo Vadis." There St. Peter supposedly met Jesus while the former was fleeing persecution in Rome. We'll reach the Catacombs (the ancient underground cemeteries and hiding places of the Christians), and after the visit we will continue walking along the Ancient Appian Way. On the way back, from the coach you will enjoy the view of the Caracalla Baths built in Rome between 212 and 216 AD during the reign of the Emperor Caracalla. Also, visit inside the Basilica of St Mary Major.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 9 hours including break between morning and afternoon tours
Meeting point:
Hotel lobby if pre-arranged
Ending point:
in front of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (near Metro A line stop Repubblica and Metro A and B line stop Termini)
Departures:
8:30am Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays except religious holidays (April-October); Fridays and Saturdays only except religious holidays (November-March)
Not Included:
Beverages, gratuities
Additional Information:
Dress code: Visitors in shorts, low-cut clothing or with uncovered shoulders are not admitted into the Vatican Museum or churches.
We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking on uneven surfaces.
Tour does not operate January 1, 6, February 11, March 19, Easter Monday, May 1, June 29, August 15, November 1, December 8, 25 and 26.
Visitors are obliged to deposit the following articles at the cloakroom: strollers, suitcases and backpacks with dimensions larger than 15.5 x 13.5 x 5.5 inches, spike-tipped umbrellas, medium or large sized umbrellas, walking sticks unless required by disabled visitors, tripods, video cameras, signs, knives, scissors, any tools and alcoholic beverages. Firearms cannot be left at the cloakroom and are not allowed in the museum.
Works of art may be photographed without using a flash except in the Sistine Chapel where no photography or filming is allowed. Permission from the management of the museum is required for making drawings or sketches in the museum. Permission must also be obtained to use tripods and other professional equipment.
Use of a mobile phone is allowed except in the Sistine Chapel, but is not recommended.
Tour is not wheelchair accessible. Popular attraction! Due to high demand, this tour is not confirmed until closer to the date.
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