Custom Rome Italy Vatican City Tours

In a tiny enclave in the heart of Rome lies the world's smallest independent state and the center of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican City.
The Vatican holds an incomparable number of treasures of art and history. Its 2000 year long history goes back to the Roman Empire. The Leonine Wall dates from when the barbarians were attacking Rome and the empire was crumbling. Over the course of 1500 years successive popes have commissioned and assembled an extraordinary collection of artistic works within Vatican walls.
The extensive art collection of the Vatican Museums is one of the most significant in the world: over 2,000 rooms, 4.3miles of artistic and archaeological works which go back to more than 3000 years ago and arrive to present days. This private tour offers visitors an in-depth taste of the Vatican with a knowledgeable art historian licensed professional Vatican tour guide the best way to hit the highlights and your interest points.
Your personal guide takes you on a fascinating tour through the treasures of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica of St. Peter vividly bringing to life world-famous masterpieces by artists such as Raphael, Leonardo, Caravaggio, Michelangelo and many others, while sharing interesting curiosities about the artists, their art and the historical context in which they worked revealing the Vatican most intimate secrets and hidden treasures.
When in Rome enjoy an intimate day at the Vatican City with a comprehensive private guided skip the line Vatican City tour of the Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica led by one of Nancy Aiello well experienced and passionate licensed official Vatican tour guides who lead you through the maze of the Vatican City and provide you a close look at the highlights of the Vatican Museums marvelous art collection, including Michelangelo Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. An extraordinary awe inspiring experience that is not to be missed.
By walking through the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of Saint Peter your licensed guide provides an insider’s view into the history of the Holy See from the first St. Peter’s built in the 4th century through today and beyond while learning about the rich secrets and countless treasures of the Vatican. During your informative and comprehensive private guided tour through the Vatican magnificent sacred halls you discover and appreciate the treasures of the outstanding Vatican Museums including the Raphael Papal Rooms (not visited by big tour groups), Michelangelo frescoes in the Sistine Chapel the great glory of Vatican art and one of the most treasured masterpieces of Western painting providing a visual feast for art lovers at times creating an almost unbearable sensory overload. One of the most heart-wrenching paintings is the scene of the Last Judgment that Michelangelo painted onto the chapel's main wall. The artist spent 6 years on the piece creating a stunning painting that shows the good souls ascending to heaven and the condemned being dragged into hell. The force of the work and vivid character of the figures is deeply moving offering insight into Michelangelo great artistic gift. Although Michelangelo paintings are what the Sistine Chapel is most famous for the structure would still be a wonderful work of art without them. The paintings representing scenes from the life of Christ and Moses were created by four of the greatest masters of Italian Renaissance art as renowned as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio and Signorelli. The Sistine Chapel is more than an art lover's paradise as it is also the place where the Conclave meets after a Pope death to decide on a successor. You continue by visiting the overwhelming St. Peter Basilica, the grandest architectural undertaking of the High Renaissance. Here we find the heart of the Catholic Church for the whole world. The most important relic to be found here is the tomb of St. Peter.
Artistically and architecturally the Basilica of St. Peter is a masterpiece. Michelangelo’s Pieta is one of the most famous sculptures in the world, and is located just inside the entrance to the basilica on the right side. The church was first built in the 4th century on what is thought to be the tomb of Peter, the rock upon which Christ decreed his church shall be built. After 1200 years, the church was largely demolished and rebuilt in the 16th century when it came to acquire its present-day form. It took 22 popes, 150 years to finish the current Basilica with the help of 10 of the world's greatest artists and architects. Today the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome awes the visitor by its gigantic but harmonious proportions creating a city within itself.
Your private guided Vatican in-depth tour ends in St. Peter Square as you will admire Michelangelo's majestic Dome and feel spiritual embraced by the two symmetrical colonnades by Bernini.
This intimate art history walking tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter Basilica can be further customized to focus on specific periods of art, architecture or culture and to accommodate the needs of families touring Rome with children and cruise passengers touring the Vatican on a Rome shore trip excursion.
Please Note: This tour is not available on Sundays and on certain Holy days throughout the year. In 2012 the Vatican will be closed on February 11, March 19, April 9, May 1, June 29, August 15 & 16, November 1, and December 8, 25, & 26
Please Note: If your travel date is on Wednesday there is the possibility that you will be unable to include St. Peter Basilica and St. Peter Square. This is due to the weekly Papal Audience during which access to St. Peter Basilica could be closed. As an alternative you will be offered an extended itinerary within the Vatican Museums.
Please Note: On rare occasions St. Peter's Basilica closes without notice. If this happens, you will be offered an extended itinerary within the Vatican Museums. The unforeseen closure of St. Peter's Basilica is beyond our control for which we cannot be held responsible therefore no refunds will be issued.
Please Note: The Sistine Chapel is not available separately but is only able to be visited as part of the tour of the Vatican Museums.
Please Note: The Vatican has a dress code. No bare shoulders, no shorts, no dresses above the knee, and no bare feet or exposed midriffs are allowed.
Contact us for an intimate and memorable experience.
If you like this tour you might also like: Christian Rome Tour

Read what our Guests say about our Custom Tours

* Private guided walking tour
* Multilingual licensed professional tour guide

* Skip the line Vatican City tour
* Suitable for Children & Seniors
* Suitable for Cruise Passengers

ENHANCE YOUR TOUR

Private Roundtrip Hotel Transfers (Optional Upgrade)