Hi,
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Italy in September. She is a devout catholic; I’d like to book a VIP tour of the Vatican, not just the main museum, but the hidden Vatican museum, Vatican gardens, and Apolostic Palace. I know most can be booked online via the Vatican, but I’d like to purchase something that is a full days worth that includes all of it, and maybe even some other things inside the vatican not mentioned. Appreciate any advice or recommendations.
D
Drew479, for a VIP tour of the Vatican, you might be best served by getting an experience coordinated with a company like IC Bellagio, Access Italy, or I.D.I. Travel. All these companies are primarily B2B (so you'd need a TA to coordinate those tours). They all have a great relationship with the Vatican.
Most importantly, they can get ACCESS!! For example, Access Italy took me in through the BACKDOOR of St. Peter's Basilica (I lived there for years and did not even know there was a backdoor) Given the scope of your tour wishes, a private experience gives you more flexibility. But these options, like a private after-hours tour experience, can be pricey.
If you have the luxury of a little more time, I would suggest spreading the joy out over 2 or even 3 days. Walks of Italy's Pristine Sistine tour combines the Vatican Museum with St Peter's, and, even with a very early relatively uncrowded start, I find that a lot to cover in one visit. The Wednesday morning outdoor audience with Pope Francis can be very meaningful, and you can arrange for tickets online about 6-8 weeks ahead. The Scavi tour, which takes you underneath St. Peter's in a small group with a Vatican archeologist, is fascinating. You can also apply for tickets for this online a few months ahead.
All these suggestions are from life when it was normal, and hopefully when you go in September, maybe normal will have returned. There's so much to see at the Vatican, and it's also hot as blazes in Rome in September. Vacation days can be more enjoyable if you can mix the intense sightseeing with more relaxed cafe-sitting and people watching and get out of the hottest part of the day. Your girlfriend also might like to visit one of the catacombs out on the Appian Way, to get a feel for the earliest Christians. The Catacombs of St Callixtus offers a good tour, and it's underground and always cool! Check for tickets on line.
I know of three tour guides who offer these types of tours, and I'm sure there are others. You can review their websites and contact them to learn of their availability at the time you'll be there and their charges for the type of tour:
Liz Lev - https://www.elizabeth-lev.com/
Rocky Ruggiero - https://rockyruggiero.com/
Jill Alexy - https://www.seethesacred.com/
There is also an organization The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums - https://www.patronsvaticanmuseums.org. Each chapter takes trips to Rome, generally every 2 years. These trips provide access to more events and places than a tour guide may be able to provide, but since this is an organization that supports the Museum's work it has a membership fee.
The Museums are currently closed until January 31, and it is uncertain if they'll open at that time as it depends on virus restrictions.
Like any Catholic church anywhere in the world, visiting St. Peter's Basilica is free to the public. The Vatican Museums, like any art organization, cannot operate without financial support. You can buy souvenirs in the museums. No food or drink is allowed in the basilica or museums.
People spend their money on all kinds of things. This trip is something particularly special for the lady, so there is nothing wrong with spending a little extra money to make it as memorable as possible for her.
Try to get the Scavi tour. You get to see St. Peter's bones and the tour ends right at the alter of St. Peter's Basilic Google Scavi and be prepared to provide your full names, requested language (English, of course) and the days you are available.
Thanks everyone for the helpful hints!
