For the first time ever, City Wonders is proud to offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a banquet breakfast inside the Vatican's Courtyard before the crowd! We gain Reserved Early Access to the Vatican Museums before other groups so you’ll experience the Vatican as few people have ever seen it with this fully guided tour.
Your expert, English-speaking guide will lead you through quiet corridors to the beautiful Courtyard, where you’ll find a banquet fit for the Pope. Begin with an American-style breakfast in the Courtyard among the majestic views of the Vatican with unparalleled serenity before the public is allowed inside. Savor a delicious American and continental breakfast spread including cooked-to-order eggs, meats, cheeses, muffins, croissants, fresh fruits, cereals, and much more. You can even order a short stack from the Vatican's pancake chef! Your breakfast at the Vatican will be relaxed, giving you plenty of time to sit with a coffee or juice on the courtyard patio, soaking up the peace and quiet of this tiny state in the early morning.
Exclusive Entry to Vatican Museums
After breakfast, you’ll join your expert guide for a semi-private tour of the Vatican Museums. Thanks to our exclusive entry time, you’ll get started early – just after other tour groups are allowed to enter and before the corridors of the Museums get crowded. Once inside, you’ll have a good head start on everyone else and will stay ahead of the crowds for much of your journey.
As an expert in art history, your guide will be the perfect host for your journey through the Vatican; leading you through all the highlights of the Museums without having to walk the whopping nine miles covered by the Papal palaces. Saunter along our carefully designed route to admire exquisite centuries old art collections and archeological wonders.
The Masterpieces of Sistine Chapel
Of course, we won’t miss out on the big-name sights like the Gallery of Maps and the Gallery of Tapestries. From there, visit the Sistine Chapel – the Pope’s personal place of worship. Marvel at Michelangelo’s artistry as you immerse yourself within one of the world’s most significant landmarks. Beforehand you’ll be well prepared for the masterpieces that await. You’ll understand the techniques Michelangelo used to create these stunning frescoes (believe it or not, he didn’t actually lie on his back at all) and spot the incredible details and private jokes that he painted into the world’s most iconic artwork, getting the most from your time here.
Finally, your guide will avoid long lines to get you into St. Peter’s Basilica to explore one of the pillars of the Catholic church. Special access means we’ll gain direct entry from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica without having to leave the Museums, walk 20 minutes to St. Peter’s Square and queue up for an hour. With all that extra time to spare, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the Basilica* with your guide. They’ll explain the incredible work that went into the dome here (and how Bernini almost split the Basilica in half), point out incredible artworks within such as Michelangelo’s sculpture ‘Pietà’ and introduce to you what is probably the world’s most impressive altar. With so much to take in, you are also welcome to remain in St. Peter’s Basilica after the tour to experience more of this amazing church at your leisure, or step back outside St. Peter’s Square to admire Bernini’s clever optical illusion and the basilica’s heavenly facade.
Starting the day with an exclusive breakfast at the Vatican and continuing on in a small group tour through the Museums, your Vatican experience will be memorable and intimate. With audio headsets for every guest and only 20 people or less per group, your guide will be easy to hear and interact with, ensuring that you get the very best from this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
