Semi-Private Early Morning Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Duration
3hours 30minutes
Inclusions
Small Group
Tour Guide
Entrance Fees
Headsets
Exclusive Early Morning Access to the Vatican Museums
Language
English
Max Group Size
10 people
Transportation
Transportation from your hotel or lodging to the activity check in.
No
$
153
30
/ Adult
Available:
Thu, Nov 7 2024
Time:
7:30 AM
Through E
Response rate: 
86%
Response time:
several hours
Highlights
  • Early access to the Vatican Museums
  • The Hall of Maps
  • The Ancient Sculpture Galleries, including the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere
  • The Belvedere Courtyard and the Cortile della Pigna
  • St. Peter's Basilica
  • Visit Sistine Chapel at its least busiest
Preview Description
Enter the Vatican Museums a full hour before the general public and experience the Sistine Chapel at a time later in the morning when it is least busy. Get inspired by the Vatican's masterpiece.
 
Description
Join our Early Morning Vatican tour and treat yourself to a VIP experience, visiting the Vatican Museums a full hour before they open to the general public. With our early access to the Vatican and skip-the-line tickets, you will be able to enjoy the unparalleled show that Michelangelo has staged for us as never before. Grasp the real secret of his talent, connecting to his art.

Gaze upon the captivating gestures of the figures on the vault of the Sistine Chapel, from the Creation of Adam to the prophets, such as Jonah or Jeremiah, and find out how Michelangelo broke all the artistic rules of his age.

Explore the unrivalled collection of Classic Art in the Vatican Museums, unearthed in the Renaissance, and which inspired Michelangelo and Raphael to create their masterpieces.

Between the two artists there was an incredible rivalry, and they were also working side-by-side; whilst Raphael painstakingly painted his masterpieces in the Raphael Rooms, Michelangelo laboured over the Sistine Chapel. This is just one of the many stories that will leave you speechless on our early Vatican tour.

From the Sistine Chapel, you will skip the line and the security checks, to reach to St. Peter's Basilica. Once inside, you will marvel at Bernini’s Baldachin and Michelangelo’s breath-taking Pietà. Our early access Vatican tour will take you to appreciate other crucial works of the Basilica, retracing the long history of Christianity.

Tour the Sistine Chapel and enjoy it as did popes and princes

Our early morning Vatican tour will offer you the perfect environment to admire the Sistine Chapel and the artworks of the Museums, while you appreciate their beauty and comprehend their meaning. Exploring with a talented guide in a small group, will help you visualize the cultural context in which such works arose. You will learn about the incredible passions of artists and princes, merchants and bankers, in creating a new world of elegant palaces, magnificent domes, and spectacular cities. Visiting the Vatican you will discover the relevance of the Renaissance, this happy season of human history when the flowering of the arts was accompanied by the evolution of science, together laying the foundations for much of our modern world.

As an accredited tour company with the Museums, we buy skip the line tickets for the Vatican for all our visitors, allowing them the most convenient morning visit to Michelangelo's impressive frescoes.

Sistine Chapel: Meet a genius

Whoever sees the Sistine Chapel through the eyes of Michelangelo, whoever reads in it his thoughts and sentiments, encounters a genius. Who he was, how he lived and what he thought, are the main themes of our visit. Our guides will accompany into the great building projects of the Italian Renaissance and together we will relive the environment of the Papal court in Rome in which Michelangelo created his masterpieces. The figures of Jonah, Adam, Eve, Noah and thousands of others on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and in the Last Judgement speak of Michelangelo and of his ideas. You will appreciate what they say, and how and why these frescoes have redefined not only art, but the way in which we look at the world.

Vatican Museums Tour: Stories of art and classic artworks 

Some of the the most important works that we will discover, such as timeless Greek masterpieces like the Laocoon, the Belvedere Torso and the Apollo Belvedere, were excavated at the time of Michelangelo and Raphael. They studied and admired them in the same architectural context in which they are preserved today. This is what makes the Vatican Museums so special and unique in the world: their walls incorporate the history of the Renaissance. The artworks the great masters created are the fruit of their careful study. We will walk through the Vatican Museums stopping by the Pinecone courtyard, the Belvedere courtyard, the tapestry galleries and many classic statues retracing their experience. Discovering a meaningful selection of masterpieces with our knowledgeable guide, you will appreciate the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel in their original context.

From the Sistine Chapel we will reach St. Peter's Basilica without waiting in line

St. Peter's Basilica: The Story of Faith
Visiting St. Peter's Basilica will take you to the heart of the Christian faith, discovering also an incredible collection of relics and religious objects gathered over the course of nearly 2,000 years at the site of St. Peter's tomb, located below the main altar. In the basilica you will have the chance to admire and understand enchanting works of art such as Michelangelo's Pietà, a work whose intimate embrace overflows with such tenderness that it can move even the hardest viewer to tears. The masterpieces of Bernini, the great genius of the Italian Baroque, also dominate St. Peter's, and the spectacular piazza dazzles with astounding optical effects. It is here that the faithful have gathered for centuries to celebrate the great events of Christianity, from the election of new popes to solemn masses. We will bring you here to read a history that will also become our own, a history lived by the protagonists of our fascinating Vatican group tours.

To get the full story of how Christianity replaced the ancient pagan world in the earliest years of the faith, check out our fascinating Underground Rome and Catacombs Tour.
 
Activity Level
This is a walking tour with steps and staircases, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.

Wheelchairs and motorised scooters are not permitted on this group tour.
 
Places Visited
 (2)
  • The Raphael rooms (Stanze di Raphael) are four rooms which were used as the residence of the popes between 1507 and 1585.
The Raphael Rooms, or "Stanze di Raffaello," are a suite of four interconnected rooms located in the Vatican Museums. Renowned for their stunning frescoes painted by the master artist ... moreRaphael and his workshop, these rooms stand as a testament to the High Renaissance's artistic and cultural achievements. Commissioned by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the frescoes in these rooms played a pivotal role in establishing Raphael as one of the preeminent painters of his time, alongside Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

The Rooms

Room of the Segnatura (Stanza della Segnatura): This is the first room to be completed by Raphael, and it houses some of his most famous works, including "The School of Athens," "The Parnassus," and "The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament." These frescoes embody the ideals of Renaissance humanism, integrating classical philosophy, theology, and poetry. "The School of Athens," in particular, stands out for its portrayal of ancient philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, depicted in an architectural setting inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica.

Room of Heliodorus (Stanza di Eliodoro): The frescoes in this room, commissioned to convey the power and authority of the Church, depict divine intervention and protection. Key works include "The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple," "The Miracle at Bolsena," and "The Liberation of St. Peter." The dynamic compositions and dramatic use of light and shadow in these frescoes showcase Raphael's mastery in creating vivid, emotionally compelling narratives.

Room of the Fire in the Borgo (Stanza dell'Incendio del Borgo): This room illustrates significant historical and legendary events. The titular fresco, "The Fire in the Borgo," dramatizes the miraculous extinguishing of a fire in the Vatican quarter, symbolizing the protection of the papacy. Other notable works include "The Coronation of Charlemagne" and "The Battle of Ostia," which highlight the Church's triumphs and divine favor throughout history.

Room of Constantine (Stanza di Costantino): Completed after Raphael's death by his students, including Giulio Romano, this room features scenes from the life of Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman emperor. The frescoes, such as "The Vision of the Cross" and "The Battle of Constantine against Maxentius," celebrate Constantine's conversion to Christianity and his subsequent victory, which were pivotal in establishing Christianity as the Roman Empire's dominant religion.
Artistic and Cultural Significance

The Raphael Rooms are not only masterpieces of Renaissance art but also serve as an exploration of the interplay between classical antiquity and contemporary Christian themes. Raphael's ability to harmonize these elements reflects the intellectual spirit of the Renaissance, where the revival of ancient knowledge was seamlessly blended with the prevailing religious and cultural context.
Moreover, the rooms highlight Raphael's evolution as an artist. From the harmonious compositions and balanced figures in the Room of the Segnatura to the more dynamic and dramatic scenes in the Room of Heliodorus, visitors can trace his stylistic development. The subsequent completion of the Room of Constantine by his pupils also underscores the enduring influence of Raphael's artistic vision.

Conclusion
The Raphael Rooms in the Vatican Museums remain a vital cultural treasure, drawing visitors from around the world. They offer a unique window into the mind of a Renaissance genius and provide a richly detailed narrative of the period's theological, philosophical, and artistic preoccupations. Through their beauty and historical significance, the Raphael Rooms continue to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts, scholars, and pilgrims alike.
Type:
Attraction, Cultural, Historic, Museum
Features:
Bathroom
 (1)
  • The construction of Cortile del Belvedere was the initiative of Pope Julius II and Bramante who wanted to connect an ancient pontifical palace on the right side of St. Peter’s
Cortile del Belvedere The construction of Cortile del Belvedere was the initiative of Pope Julius II and Bramante who wanted to connect an ancient pontifical palace on the right side ... moreof St. Peter’s, and the palace which was built for Innocent VIII by Pollaiolo on the little hill known as del Belvedere. Pope Julius was a great collector of statues when he was still a cardinal. After he was elected as pope he carried all his collection to the Vatican. The Belvedere was one of the places that contained the pope’s several sculpture collections and started making the place more attractive and popular.

As a result of the demand to connect the two palaces, Bramante designed two long corridors which created a big courtyard. Pope Julius II was a great fan of architectural works and wanted to build something impressive which would enhance the grandeur of both palaces. Just as expected, Bramante designed a spectacular court yard which connected the Vatican Palace and the Villa Belvedere. He designed a series of terraces which were connected by stairs and had narrow wings on its sides.

Bramante was very innovative when designing the Cortile del Belvedere. The courtyard contained six narrow terraces which were crisscrossed by a central staircase that led to the wide middle terrace. The long wings on the sides of the terraces of Cortile del Belvedere are what now house the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Library.

The Cortile del Belvedere provided an easy and comfortable means of passing from a garden terrace to the palace court. Bramante originally designed the uppermost terrace as a garden ground but as a result of the small size of the house, he came up with another idea. He made another decorative erection of a garden structure within the colossal semicircular niche, with a loggia on top of it. This provided a spectacular view over the landscape and the entire city.

The Cortile del Belvedere courtyard was used for several occasions due to its spectacular design and atmosphere. In 1565, Pope Pius IV held here a festival event in honour of the wedding of his nephew.

The construction of Cortile del Belvedere led to several developments of outstanding structures in the Vatican City. As a matter of fact, the courtyard led to the establishment of the Vatican Library, Gallery of inscriptions, the Museum of Christian Art, the Gallery of Urban VIII, the Sistine Hall, the Pauline Rooms, and the Gallery of Maps, among others. These are some of the structures rich in the Roman Catholic Church history continue to attract many visitors from all over the world. Until today, Cortile del Belvedere still remains one of the greatest architectural works in the Vatican. The courtyard provides a spectacular view of the entire Vatican City and it houses numerous sculptures and collections.
Type:
Attraction, Historic
 (1)
Named after Pope Sixtus IV, the Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most famous chapel in the world. It is renowned both for its function as the Papal Conclave and for its incredible artwork.... more

The ceiling and western wall of the Sistine Chapel are adorned with some of the most astonishing paintings in the world created by the famous artist – Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in 1508 and he completed his work in 1512. The middle section depicts nine stories from the Book of Genesis, including the renowned ‘Creation of Adam’ where the hand of God is seen reaching to Adam to instill him with life.

In 1535 Michelangelo was commissioned once again to paint the western wall over the altar. He completed this spectacular painting of the‘Last Judgment’ in 1541. The painting depicts the end-of-days and second coming of Christ when according to Christian faith all souls will be judged by Jesus,the Saints and God and sent to heaven or hell.

Despite being one of the most celebrated works of art in history, Michelangelo was originally hesitant to paint the ceiling of the chapel for he considered himself as more of a sculptor than a painter.

The original ‘Last Judgment’ painting included fully nude human figures, but these were later covered by another artist due to the demands of some Papal members who claimed that the nudity was obscene and improper.

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo who depicted nine stories from the book of Genesis including the famous 'Creation of Adam'.

The first three stories are:
1. The Separation of Light from Darkness: Genesis 1:1-5;
2. The Creation of the sun, moon and planets: Genesis 1:11-19;
3. The Separation of Land from Sea: Genesis 1,9-10)

Following these paintings of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican are the mid-section patintings:
1. The Creation of Adam & Eve (Genesis 1:26- 2:25), with the figures of man and woman in their nakedness.
2. The Banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-24).

The last three frescoes of Michelangelo include:
1. The Sacrifice of Noah: (Genesis 8:15-20)
2. The Flood (Genesis 6:5-8,20)
3. The Drunkenness of Noah (Genesis 9:20-27)
* All these show the fall and rebirth of humanity

The ceiling and western wall of the Sistine Chapel are adorned with some of the most celebrated paintings in the world created by the famous artist – Michelangelo Buonarroti. Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling in 1508 and he completed his work in 1512.

Despite being one of the most adored works of art in history, Michelangelo was originally hesitant to paint the ceiling of the chapel for he saw himself as more of a sculptor than a painter. The original ‘Last Judgment’ painting included fully nude human figures, but these were later covered by another artist due to the demands of some Papal members who claimed that the nudity was obscene and improper.

The middle section of the ceiling depicts 9 stories fromthe Book of Genesis, including the iconic ‘Creation of Adam’ where the hand ofGod is seen reaching to Adam to give him life. In 1535 Michelangelo was commissioned once again to paint thewestern wall over the altar.

Michelangelo completed this spectacular painting of the‘Last Judgment’ in 1541. The painting depicts the end-of-days and second comingof Christ when according to Christian faith all souls will be judged by Jesus,the Saints and God and sent to heaven or hell.
Type:
Attraction, Cultural, Historic, Museum
 (1)
The Notorious Roman Emperor Caligula(37-41AD) built a circus at the area of the current Vatican. St Peter the apostle was buried in anecropolis to the north of the circus. ... more

Traditionally it issaid that The See of Rome was founded by Saint Peter who firstheld the position of the Bishop of Rome (Pope).Between the years 324 and 326 AD, theEmperor Constantine built a basilica on top of St. Peter's grave. It was replacedby the present St. Peter's Basilica between the 16th and 17th centuries. And was designed and decorated by Renaissance andbaroque geniuses such as Raphael, Bramante, Bernini Michelangelo, and Maderna. St.Peter's basilica is the largest religious building in the world. 

St. Peter's Basilica, Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano or Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Italian, is a Church located in Vatican City that dates back to the Renaissance age. Michelangelo, Bernini and Bramante were the main architects of the magnificent basilica and it is one of the most famous architectural works of the Renaissance era. The building of the current church (replaced the old 4th century Church over St. Peter's tomb) began on 18 April 1506 and was completed on 18 November 1626.

According to Roman Catholic tradition St. Peter's Basilica is the burial site of Saint Peter, one Christs' 12 apostles. Additionally in Roman Catholic tradition, St. Peter was also the first Bishop of Rome and thus was the first in the papal (pope) lineage.

Saint Peter's Basilica is located within the Vatican and thus it serves the Popes for ceremonies. Throughout the year a number of services are conducted by the pope and they attract audiences of 20,000 to over 90,000 people who come to the Vatican Basilica (St. Peter's) or St. Peter's Square. In addition to serving the papcy, St. Peter's is one of the four churches of Rome that hold the rank of Major Basilica.

Saint Peter's tomb is located directly below the altar of the St. Peter's Basilica and soem hitorical evidence supports this. Many Popes have been buried at St. Peter's for this reason and this is also why there has been a church at this location in Rome since the times of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (4th century)

The basilica has great architectural structures that tooks everal years to design and build. One of the major contributors to the amazing structure of St. Peter’s Basilica is the Master Michelangelo. The following are some ofthe spectacular architectural features of the basilica: the Bramante’s dome, Maderno’s façade, St Peter’s statues, narthex and portals, and Maderno’ nave. St. Peter also has a lovely Piazza, fountains, altars, towers. It also known for the statues in the piers of the dome ( among them are the statues of Saint Helena, St.Longinus, St. Andrew and St. Veronica).

The specifications of the St. Peter’s basilica are approximately: length: 730 feet (220 m); width: 500 feet (150 m); maximum height: 452 feet (138 m); outer dome diameter: 137.7 feet (42 m); inner dome diameter: 136.1 feet (41.5 m). These dimensions are indeed an indication of how huge the basilica is. With its spectacular furnishes, architecture, tombs and collections of art, St. Peter’s Basilica is and will always be one of the largest churches in the world and oneof the holiest Catholic sites.
Type:
Attraction, Historic, Museum
The Gallery of Maps is called the Galleria delle carte geografiche in Italian.  Situated in the Vatican on the west side of the Belvedere Courtyard, the gallery contains a series of ... morepainted topographical maps of Italy. These maps were based on drawings by Ignazio Danti a Dominican Italian friar, mathematician, astronomer, cosmographer and geographer which was born as Pellegrino Rainaldi Danti in Perugia in 1536.

The galley was commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in 1580 . Pope Gregory XIII ordered it made as well as many other works of art. The Pope commissioned these works of art in order to decorate the Vatican. The completion of the work on the gallery took Danti three years (1580–1583). Today the gallery consists of 40 panels which go along the 120 m gallery. 

The panels map the entirety of the Italian peninsula including Sardinia and Corsica. The maps are in fact frescoes. Each fresco features a different region. Special detail was given to the region's most prominent city. With the Apennines serving as the dividing line, one side features the area surrounded by the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas and the other shows the area near the Adriatic Sea.

The maps are both beautiful and informative as they reveal the way that the renaissance Italians saw themselves and their surroundings in pre- national Italy. Italy was not one nation in the time of the renaissance when the maps were made. The maps also provide insight to the art of cartography ( making of maps) of these times.The gallery is a fascinating place to visit whether you take a special interest in maps or not.

In the gallery of maps the vaulted ceiling is also decorated. These decorations were done by a group of Mannerist artists including Girolamo Muziano and Cesare Nebbia.
Type:
Attraction, Historic, Museum
Features:
Bathroom
  • The Huge statue known as the Pigna (pine) or the Fontana Della Pigna depicts a giant Pine Cone
The Huge statue known as the Pigna (pine) or the Fontana Della Pigna depicts a giant Pine Cone. It is located in St. Peter's, in an area called the court of the Pigna.The Court of ... morethe Pigna is the northern part of the grand renaissance Belvedere Courtyard that stretches between the Papal Palaces to the "palazzetto" which belonged to Innocent VII's . The courtyard was segmented into three parts after the construction of Sixtus V's Library and the Braccio Nuovo of Pius VII. The present courtyard derived its name form the beautiful pine cone statue set into the "nicchone", borders on the south side with the Braccio Nuovo, and on the east it borders with the Chiaromonti Gallery. To its north you can find Innocent VIII's Palazzetto and on the west the galleries of the Apostolic Library are located.

The pine cone was cast out of bronze in the 1st or 2nd century by the sculptor Publius Cincius Salvius. He was identified as its creator because his name was written on the base of the huge pine. The Statue's height is almost 4 meters and on both sides of the pine cone there are bronze peacocks which are copies of the ones in Hadrian's tomb.

Before it was moved to its current location, known as the Court of the Pigna, the statue of the Pine was situated in the Campus Martius. This area is still known today as "Pigna" after this statue. At its previous location it was used as a fountain with the water pouring from holes pierced in the scales of the cone. At the 8th century it was transferred to the entrance hall of the medieval basilica of St. Peter. It was placed decoratively in the middle of the fountain covered by ornate baldachin. We know this because the statue was identified in Renaissance drawings of the hall. Eventually, during the construction of the current basilica, in 1608, the giant pine cone fountain was moved and situated in its current location.

This statue is a beautiful and ancient one and it's definitely worth stopping by and admiring it as it has been part of Rome's landscape for almost 2000 years!
Type:
Attraction, Historic
Rates
Minimum Guests:
1 person
Per
Type
Price
Info
AdultGroup Tour
$
153
30
Ages 18 +
Student
$
142
58
Ages 18 to 24
Child
$
142
58
Ages 6 to 17
Infant
$
0
Ages 5 and under
Schedule
Check In Location
Check In Details
You will meet your guide at flower stand on the corner of Via Giulio Cesare and Via Leone IV. Your guide will have a Through Eternity sign or flag.
 
Payment & Cancellation
Cancellation Policy
Standard Policy
  • Cancellations made 2 days before will be fully refunded except for a service fee of 3%.
  • Cancellations made at a later date will not be refunded.
42 reviews   21 comments
Rating
Was the tour accurately described on the webiste? In other words did it meet your expectations?
(4.7 of 5)
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Not early enough
I had heard about people years back (a cousin being one of them) that for a little extra, they could get into the Vatican 30 minutes before the general public. The Vatican opens at 8am, so when I booked a 7:30am tour, I thought I would beat the crowds. You meet at 7:30 a few blocks away, and then walk to the same line EVERY other tour stands in line in. The guide was great, but I'm guessing that's ... more luck of the draw. Getting there when it first opens is still a good idea, but I would just look for the cheapest one that gets you in at 8am.
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Excellent
Erika ( I hope its spelled correctly “ she was amazing, so knowledgeble and friendly, organized! Wonderful experience! Perfect English!
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Awesome Experieb=nce
The guide was amazing I think his name was Daniel. Very informative and awesome hospitality. The skip a line was worth every penny.... We will use this tour again. Thank You!
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Perfect tour
Our guide was on time and was missing 3 people so we waited a little longer for them to get there and he tried to reach out. They never showed but I appreciated that he tried to wait. Ricardo was amazing. Great tour, Skip the lines, Very informative and so very helpful.
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Diania C
Thank you for your feedback! We’re delighted that Ricardo made your tour enjoyable and informative. Your appreciation for his efforts is much valued. We look forward to welcoming you on another tour with Through Eternity!
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Semi-private Early Morning Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
We cannot comment on this tour because it was canceled on us at the last moment. When we contacted the tour agent there was no reply for a day. I eventually managed to get a reply by practically threatening the agent only to find they were fully booked and nothing was available for us. We booked this tour months ago. We have been offered a full refund, hopefully this does happen, but are very disappointed ... more that we will not get to see these sites while we are here in Rome probably for our only time in our lives. We are not happy and rather annoyed about this to say the least.
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Great Experience!
We booked an early morning semi-private tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The meeting spot was easy snd away from the crowds. Our guide was excellent. Cynthia (english spelling) was a pro. She was a knowledgeable guide, communicated clearly, and expertly navigated us through the throngs of visitors. I can’t imagine visiting Vatican City without a guide. I’m so glad we had the experience ... more - I highly recommend!
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Vanessa P
Thank you for your feedback! We’re thrilled that you had a great experience with Cynthia. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to welcoming you on another tour with Through Eternity!
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The Migli’s
Alberto was excellent, so knowledgeable and passionate about the art and the religion. Best tour guide we have ever had.
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Rachel M
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that Alberto’s knowledge and passion for art and religion made such a positive impact on your tour. It’s great to know he is the best tour guide you’ve ever had. We look forward to welcoming you on another tour with Through Eternity!
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Early Morning Vatican Tour
Thomas was an amazing tour guide on our Early Morning Vatican Tour. He was so knowledgeable, funny, and kept the group entertained throughout the tour. Sheila + family
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Not what I expected
I was very disappointed with this tour. Perhaps I misunderstood the description when I booked it, but I was under the impression that this was the “early tour” that provided access prior to the opening of the facilities to the general public, which had been recommended to me by my niece. This was not the case, and the facilities were already quite crowded when we arrived. Our guide Erturk gets an ... more “Aplus” for effort, but the tour was disappointing. The headset was quite noisy and despite his command of English, Erturk’s heavy accent made him very difficult to understand.
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Linda and David G.
We did the Early Morning Vatican Tour with Marco. He said as so knowledgeable. He was able to relay a depth of information in clear, relatable manor. I cannot say how blessed we felt to have him as our guide.
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Early morning rour
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Our guide was very personable and had a lot of information to share. We were supposed to have a small group but it wasn’t. She did apologize about it. It really didn't make much difference though because it was so crowded. The one good thing was that we did have a skip the line experience! Much better than waiting in a.line for hours. I would still recommend this.
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👍👍 Tour
We met the guides at the designated point in the morning. There are cafes nearby which are open if you arrive early and wish to eat or drink beforehand. They started the tour promptly, however our guide did not carry a flag of sorts as other tour guides so it was important to keep up in order to not lose him through the crowds. There was an understandable amount of wait time to enter the museum as ... more other tour groups are trying to enter once the museum opens. Once we entered, our guide, Alex, was considerate to keep tabs on the group so as to not lose folks, also indicating restroom and water breaks. He tried to find spaces near the items of interest to discuss history so we could be up close. Note that this is a highlights tour since there is so much ground to cover (figuratively and literally) such that the pace is quick; not all of your photos will be spectacular!
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EXCELLENT Tour!
Our guide, Cornelius (I think that was his name, originally Dutch and a church deacon), was amazing!!! He shared his background with us at the end, and also shared that we would have gotten a very different tour from someone with an archeology background or architecture background. The tour from his perspective was very interesting! It was fascinating to learn about the history of the church as related ... more to all of the buildings you see as part of this tour. It was very busy for an early morning tour, and I would not recommend going later! Highly recommend climbing the St. Peter's Basilica dome after this tour - lots of stairs, but the view is worth it!!!
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Excellentvtour
Latracia, the guide., was very informative and engaging. Kept us on our toes and entertained.
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Werner J
Hello Werner, we are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your tour! We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back soon! -Sarah TE Team
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Morning Vatican “all 6”tour with Donnatella
Extremely good. Informative & enjoyable. Can thoroughly recommend. D. is highly knowledgeable.
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Early morning Vatican tour
Our tour was perfect! Our guide (female, sorry I forgot her name.) was so knowledgeable and shared so much information with our group! She gave us plenty of time for pictures and observation. It was an awesome experience!
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Patricia B
Hello Patricia-thank you so much for your kind words. We are thrilled to hear the pace of the tour allowed you to capture in photos all the Vatican has to offer. We hope to see you in Rome again soon. Tiana TE Team
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Great tour. Extremely knowledgeable guide
Our early tour on October 4, 2022 was exceptional. All on schedule, group of 8 plus guide, was worth every Euro. Guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, provided both specific information and historical insight throughout the tour.
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Philip E
Hello Phillip-we are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the Early Morning tour of the Vatican. It is such a lovely way to explore everything the Vatican has to offer. We hope to see you in Rome again soon! Tiana TE Team
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Our Vatican tour was fantastic! Our tour guide Frank was great!
The early morning tour was worth it. Our tour guide Frank was extremely knowledgeable, he had so much to share and I learning so much. He was very personable and professional. I enjoyed every minute!
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Debi R
Hi there Debi-so great to hear that you enjoyed your tour of the Vatican with us. There is so much to see and take in so we are thrilled that you found it informational and enjoyable! Tiana TE Team
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Sistine chapel, Vatican museum tour
John Tinto gave us a great and entertaining tour of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica. He was very enthusiastic and shared a lot of knowledge about the aforementioned sites. The tour lasted for more than 3hrs but it was packed with trivia and lots of background info about the treasures inside the attractions. John was a very good host and we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. One ... more of the plus was that we were able to go into special sections not available yo the public. Grazie, John!
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Marie C
Hello Marie, thank you for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review. We are so happy to hear your enjoyed your time with John at the Vatican and that you were able to access some of the special areas that are not always easy to visit. We hope to see you in Rome again soon! Tiana TE Team
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Early morning tour worth it!
Maria Letizia is an excellent guide. So knowledgeable. You will get a different in-depth perspective of Italian politics and papal history. She tailors the tour to the guests interests and has a seemingly deep well of fun facts she draws from throughout. Having visited the Vatican Museums several times before, Maria not only knows her stuff but she truly enjoys sharing her expertise with visitors.
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2
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Jeff L
Hello Jeff, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review on Maria Letizia and our tour of the Vatican. Maria Letizia indeed has a wealth of knowledge and it is so great to hear you enjoyed sharing that with her, especially since it was not your first time at the Vatican. We hope to see you in Rome again soon! Tiana TE Team
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Awesome Tour!
Our tour guide Maria L. (So sorry I’m not sure how to spell her last name) was amazing! The meet up sport was super easy to find and a cafe right across the street made it easy to grab an expresso before heading out. Maria knew so much about the history around every corner of our tour. Mind blowing experience and loved every minute of it!
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1
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Rachel B
Hi Rachel, thank you for taking the time to write such an amazing review! We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our guide Maria Letizia - Thta's her last name :) Looking forward to welcoming you again on our tours in Italy & other places in Europe. Rajae TE Team
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Vatican your
Grace was a brilliant tour guide informative, organised and clear. Made this tour memorable. Mile grazie ☺️
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Genoeffa S
Hello Genoeffa, We really appreciate your kind words and we are absolutely ecstatic that you have a wonderful time on tour! We are so grateful we had the chance and ability to make a memorable moment for you. Our wonderful Graceful is an absolute gem and we will double thank her for being an organised wonder of information for you. We look forward to welcoming you back any time!
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Genoeffa S
Grazie a te Genoeffa! We are happy to read your review & looking forward to having you again on our tours. Rajae TE Team
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Getting an Early Start With Mixed Results
We took an early morning tour of the Vatican, which seems to be The Thing to do now. It was not as crowded as it would be later in the day, however there were plenty of tour groups with the same idea, and there were moderate crowds for the whole tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and gave us plenty of time in the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. For my taste we spent too much time talking ... more about the Chapel in the Court of the Pigna before entering the Vatican Museums, losing some of the advantage of the "early start" of the tour. Some rooms that we hurried through to get around crowds. We could have had a more leisurely walk through the various rooms preceding the Raphael rooms, and enjoyed the first part of our tour somewhat more.
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Susan O
Hello Susan, thank you for your feedback. We appreciate you writing down your experience with us. The difficult part of a group tour is that there is indeed a certain route and pace that needs to be followed. This way we try to ensure that all clients on the tour can see as much as they want. However we are sorry some parts of it were too rushed in your eyes. We hope you still had a wonderful time ... more exploring the Vatican with us!
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Wow!!!
This tour was 4.5 stars. We took the Metro and following the included directions put us exactly where we were met. There is even an open coffee shop near by for those arriving early. We met at 7:00 and walked to the museum entrance where we stood for nearly 40 minutes waiting for the 8:00 entry. The museum was simply overwhelming. So much history, so many statues and paintings. Its almost history ... more overload in a short amount of time. The Sistine Chapel- what can I say? If you're not awed by this there's something wrong with you. My only complaint is that the tour advertises visiting the chapel during periods of limited visitors. This just isn't the case. Every square foot of floor space was occupied and all the benches on the perimeter to sit on were full. We were given about 20 minutes to absorb all we could which was plenty of time - especially since photography wasn't allowed. Now we're in St Patrick's and this cannot be described. "Awesome" - not even close -- "magnificent" - closer -- "spiritual" - certainly. -- "unforgettable" - absolutely. Not sure how to do the Sistene Chapel with fewer people but if you figure it out - 5 Stars!
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Dave O
Hello Dave, Thank you very much for your detailed review. We are very happy to read you enjoyed your experience of the Vatican Museums with us. It is indeed true and we have seen the museums get more busier. Unlike the Colosseum the Vatican does not have a maximum people to enter at certain times (3000 people at once in the Colosseum). We are sorry that therefor you experienced the Chapel as crowded. ... more All of our Vatican tours, but especially the Early Morning tour try to time it so that you enter the Chapel once the first groups have left, to optimise the experience. If you ever want to return to Rome & try the Chapel again, I would recommend to arrive even later in the year (our low season end of Nov - end of February) With regards Desiree!
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Early Morning Tour, BEST OPTION!
Meeting spot was a bit difficult but we ended up finding it and it was all good. We just showed the taxi driver the meeting point and he took us in the area and we found our way. Other then that, our guide was knowledgeable and very clear. She did a very good job making sure we all stuck together and explained everything along the way. Someone in our tour said he was there before during normal business ... more hours and it was like room full of sardines! But this tour, it is wide open and you have time to appreciate everything about the Vatican. Amazing experience, I will do again next time I go!
Rating
5
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David M
Hello David, thank you for your review, we appreciate your feedback and are sorry the meeting point was not clear enough. However we are very happy to read that you enjoyed the Vatican Museums not like sardines but were able to take in its beauty. We hope to welcome you again in Italy in the future. Desiree
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Evie M.
I highly recommend this tour! Our guide was so knowledgable and experienced. She kept our group moving and well informed prior to the arrival at each stop. We bypassed many lines and were able to spend a majority of our time viewing the art and hearing about the artist’s life during their years spent painting or sculpting. Her commentary and lively discussions made this tour very enjoyable!
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4
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Awesome tour but bad directions where to meet
We never received any information on where to meet. We were told to be there at 7:00 am. We found out guide after getting nervous since it was about 7:15 when we found him. We waited in line until 8:30 to go in. That's too long to stand on concrete. Our tour guide knew too much. It was like an art history tour. Would have liked more church related info but his knowledge was priceless. We spent a lot ... more of time standing.
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2
6
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Educational and amazing
Our tour guide was a professor. The history lesson and tour were amazing. Our kids should get college credit for this tour.
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6
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Early Morning Tour
The tour was excellent, very well guided.
Rating
8
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Hugo A
Hello Hugo, Thank you for your review. We are happy to read you were impressed with the tour set up and our guide. *Desiree*
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Early Morning Vatican Tour
Our tour was amazing, definitely worth an early morning wake up! I had a couple of questions prior to our tour and the response time on those were very fast. Highly recommend!
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Lisa D
Hello Lisa, Thank you for your review. It is an Early Start right? but we are happy that you thought it worth while! The Vatican is getting more and more busy and it's always nice to have a little heads up. *Desiree*
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Morning tour April 23 2019
The tour was tremendous! I believe it was Mario. Extremely knowledgeable and interesting. Also amusing and very pleasant and friendly to be around. Very very enjoyable. I was surprised how fast it seemed. It could not have been better. Steven Wright
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5
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Steven W
Hello Steven, Thank you for your review. Mario is a star! We are happy you enjoyed the tour with him. So time really does fly when you are having fun ;) *Desiree*
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Vatican tour
Our tour guide was amazing. She was so knowledgeable. Was highly impressed.
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5
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Heather G
Hello Heather, Thank you for your review! It is very satisfying to read that you were happy with your guide. *Desiree*
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Vatican Tour
Our tour guide was amazing. Her knowledge on the art work and the history added so much value to the tour. She was witty and fun and really played into our groups questions. I highly recommend this tour.
Rating
10
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Genevieve C
Hello Genieve, Thank you for your review and the beautiful pictures you added. We are delighted to read that you were impressed by your guide. *Desiree*
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Vatican Tour
We had a great time. Our guide was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. It was well worth what we paid for. Highly recommend this tour.
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Sergio S
Hello Sergio, Thank you for your review. We are pleased to read that you thought the price for the tour was worth it! All our guides have such a passion for what they do and it makes us happy to see that they succeeded in transferring this passion to you *Desiree*
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Our tour of the Vatican was the best one of our time in Italy and all because of our guide, Lucca. Not only was he easy to understand, he has amazing knowledge of Italian history and an ability to bring it to life before our eyes. He provided such detail on Michaelangelo's works that I am craving more! I would highly recommend this tour with Lucca as a guide.
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Guia was excellent! The pace of our tour was just right, and we appreciated very much the time she spent with our 7 year old, the youngest and most energetic member of our group. Guia succeeded in keeping her entertained throughout the tour! We were rushed out of the sistine chapel prematurely, but Guia spoke to the guards who let us return. Very much appreciated!
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Laura Nicotra was an absolute terrific guide! She was efficient, informative, charming and extremely knowledgable. She gave us a 40 minute talk on the Sistine Chapel, while showing pictures of it while we were waiting on line to enter the Vatican Museum. This was so helpful to help me and gave a better understanding of the artwork, even though I had read up on it prior to the tour. I highly recommend ... more her and would book another tour with her if we had only the chance to stay longer in the Eternal City of Rome.
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The tour guide is so important on a tour like this- it's long and there is so much information given to you that you really need to enjoy the guide. Enrica was our guide and she was fabulous!!! Cheerily, bubbly and full of facts. We were referred to this tour company by friends and so glad we took their advice!! Grazie !!
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The tour was great, we had a smooth and easy early morning access to the Vatican before the queues started building up. It was very easy to find the guide at the meeting point, details were very precise. Enriqua our guide was very knowledgeable, she told us the history with too much of fun but also passion. We were a small group which gave us the opportunity to ask the questions we had and move and ... more communicate and explore the place with ease. We did two tours with this company and both are worth the money we paid. Big thanks to Enrique who made our tour enjoyable.
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5
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Our guide Guia was absolutely fantastic. Her love and knowledge reflected throughout our tour. She impressed even my 17 year old son. We wished we would have booked more tours with Through Eternity, especially Guia. We saw her later giving another tour and felt envious we weren't in her group. With gratitude in making the Vatican and Sistine Chapel even more special.
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I could not have been happier with this tour. I got to see a lot of the Vatican with a knowledgeable and entertaining guide--so much so that I wished that I had taken a notebook with me to take notes! The hours flew by. I would definitely do another tour with Gracelynn.
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We enjoyed this tour and saw everything we had hoped to see. Our guide Vanessa was excellent! She was both knowledgable of the sights and of working around the crowds which really helped to make this tour a great experience.
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7
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