Hello!
I feel as if I have read the entire internet researching tour options for the Vatican for our 1st trip to Rome this August/ September. The Vatican is my #1 priority to see in Rome so I really want to do it "the best way". Is that through a private tour group first thing in the morning? Is it through the Vatican website's offerings: Friday night happy hour? I am particular interested in the Saturday, (Sept 1) Vatican By Train all day tour. However I have read several poor reviews on this -- suggesting not enough time in the museum? We also plan on visiting St. Peter's square on Sunday, Sept 2 for the Papal Audience. I welcome any and all expert tips you might have!
Thank you in advance to all the wonderful people in these forums!
Posted by
San Franciso Bay Area, USA
1043 posts
Rome is a magical place and going to the Vatican and seeing the museum, St. Peter’s, and Sistine Chapel where highlights of our trip. I don’t know about the Vatican by Train tours, but I would recommend that you take some guided tour of the Vatican museum as it is huge and when we went in mid-June this year, very crowded.
I had 6 people in my group and arranged a private tour through Miles & Miles. We did the abbreviated Colosseum tour (not the Palantine Hill or Forum) and then a 3 hour in the Vatican sites. The colosseum portion was too brief, but the Vatican tour was amazing. Our guide helped us cut through all the lines (even getting us to a bathroom with no lines), knew the art and history extremely well and navigated us through the crowds. Because she knew we were going the next day to the Borghese, she even gave us an extra half hour at Saint Peters to discuss the Bernini works in more detail and preview what we would see the next day. While a private tour was expensive, for 6 people it was actually less expensive for us than having each person pay for on a larger tour and you get to craft the tour. Note the Miles & Miles only takes cash.
Sandy
Posted by
South Florida
225 posts
Take a look at Context Tours . They offer guided tours by docents who have graduate degrees in that field. We did the Vatican tour a few years ago. Very well done. Also, the Scavi tour is fascinating. You must request a reservation directly with the Vatican. Remarkable experience!!! Google it. Too much for me to describe on my iPhone;)
Oh, and do climb the dome-extraordinary!
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
SandyO, you mean Miles & Miles doesn’t take Miles? The Dollar Store takes dollars.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11835 posts
The Vatican by Train tour is nice if you have already seen the museums and the Sistine Chapel. This tour does not give you much time in the museums: only an hour. It covers a lot of ground but not depth. You get to go to someplace many people don't have time to go to, that is Castel Gandolfo.
We like the Walks of Italy "Pristine Sistine" tour a lot. (I've gone 3 times with guests while we lived in Rome.) For the money, it is an excellent overview of the museums and the Basilica.