Just trying to decide about whether to do a tour of the Vatican or try and go it on our own. I see Walks of Italy has a Vatican after hours - a 2.5 hr tour of the museum and Sistine Chapel after hours...looks interesting. Just wondering if anyone has done this tour and thoughts? I see they also have Pristine Sistine, but that starts at 7:30am and there is no way my hubby can get up and get going by that time. They seem to have great reviews...this would be in Sept, but I'd want to book soon I imagine. Thanks - any other suggestions of tours are appreciated...but I like to keep it in the 50-80 euro range... (this tour is 59 euro)
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
I did the 7:30 tour with Walks of Italy and loved it. Yes it was a early day to have breakfast and make our way to the meeting point. I enjoyed it. Doing that at the end of our trip, I liked having the guide opposed to my head in a guidebook reading all the way thru it. Our guide was great. You'll probably have the same tour we did minus the St. Peters part and I woudl go for the night one. Should be a lot less crowded. On our AM tour as we walked from the entrance to the sistine chapel our guide pointed out items to take pictures of since no one was in the halls. We apprecaited that when we went back and saw the items and his tour information about each. There were a lot of people and not really a good picture at that point.
If you do the night one make sure to do St. Peters on your own at some point.
Posted by
southern california
239 posts
Robert,
We are going to be in Rome mid October and we are thinking about doing the Pristine Sistine and if you don't mind I have a couple of questions.
1) I believe the tour is of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters' and it is approx. 3 1/2 hours. Is that really enough time?
2) After the tour concludes can you go back into the Vatican on your own? The thought of seeing the Sistine Chapel without a massive crowd is very appealing but I would also like to be able to wander the museum myself.
3) I understand that the Pope gives a blessing on Wednesdays, so would this be a good time to do the Vatican on our own. I noticed that the Pristine Sistine is not offered on Wednesday.
Thank you, Karen
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
@Karenenlow
1) I believe the tour is of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters' and it is approx. 3 1/2 hours. Is that really enough time? I have gone on this tour twice. It is enough. You will be tired and your mind full.
2) After the tour concludes can you go back into the Vatican on your own? The thought of seeing the Sistine Chapel without a massive crowd is very appealing but I would also like to be able to wander the museum myself. You can spend more time in the Basilica, but you cannot re-enter the museum. As I said above, you will be tired, your head will be full. If you want more museum time, go have a rest and re-enter, or better yet go another day. These options will cost you an extra entry fee, though.
3) I understand that the Pope gives a blessing on Wednesdays, so would this be a good time to do the Vatican on our own. I noticed that the Pristine Sistine is not offered on Wednesday. I suppose so.... I like having a guide so I don't have to have my nose in a book or have to figure out the logistics. It is such a large place it is difficult to know where to focus one's time.