Your tour begins with skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums, taking the stress out of the long lines, and providing you with more time to explore one of the world’s greatest art collections. An expert guide will accompany you through the museums, telling stories that bring the statues, frescoes, and maps to life. With entry three hours before closing time, you’ll wander empty halls and take advantage of this quieter time to visit after most tourists have already departed.

Boasting many galleries, it can be hard to know where to start, but your guide will take you on a carefully planned route perfected over the years. Discover the bigger picture of power and politics in Vatican City and how it interacts with art.

Explore the peaceful Pinecone Courtyard, admire the famous ‘Apollo Belvedere’ and ‘Laocoön and Sons’ statues, and wander down the extraordinary Gallery of Maps to see how ancient cartographers mapped the world through history. End in the Sistine Chapel (just before closing time) after the daytime crowds have left. Gaze in awe at Michelangelo’s miraculous frescoes, including his depiction of the “Last Judgment” on the ceiling.

Please note that the Sistine Chapel (and the door with access to St. Peter's Basilica) will be closed from April 28-mid-May for the Papal Conclave. The Vatican Museums will remain open and you will still be able to see its many highlights with your expert guide as they lead you on an alternative itinerary during this historic time at the Vatican.

By the end of your tour, you'll have experienced the Sistine Chapel and the highlights of Vatican Museums the way few can claim: in peace and without the crowds.