I have seen several threads on the Vatican but I am wondering about tours specifically for my kids age 12, 14 and 16. Should I take the tour offered by the Vatican (which does not include St. Peter's because that one is full) or should we go with a tour group that DOES include St Peters (an hour more)? even if we exit the Vatican tour to St Peters will we miss out on good info offered by the tour guide inside the basilica?
Posted by
Hillsborough, NC, USA
16 posts
Linda, I've read good reviews on walkisinitaly.com's Vatican tours for people with teens. They have a couple, which each cover part of the Vatican. It's so big, there's no way to absorb it all! I'm going with a 15 yo and and adult male with a short attention span, and I think it is going to be worth my time to take their tours. I'm booking them for a couple other places, too.
Posted by
Ballwin
833 posts
If you're Catholic you may appreciate the tour of the basilica, but I was happy walking around it and taking in the beauty and enormousness of it on my own without a tour guide.
Posted by
California
62 posts
I think a guide through the Vatican museums is really a good idea (We went with Angel Tours a couple of years ago. They were informative, engaging, and well-priced), but inside the basilica, we used Rick's free audioguide. We also listened to his audioguide inside the Sistine Chapel; since the chapel is to remain quiet, tour guides explain the ceiling to you in the courtyards outside...we enjoyed being able to listen to the audioguide descriptions while actually viewing the chapel.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
I think it depends on how excited your kids are about seeing the Museums and basilica. I took my daughter for the first time when she was 10 and did the tour offered by the Vatican. It was just enough information without overwhelming her. At that point she really wasn't into the history and artwork but just a few years later she wanted all the information she could get. You should talk to your kids to see what amount of information they want. If it's indepth info then take them on a tour like context. If they just want basic information and not a whole lot of time in the museums then the vatican offered tour should be fine. Donna