My first trip to the Vatican in over 25 years. This time I used my web sleuthing and an added fee, to be a VIP and skip the 3+ hour line. There’s an inverse relationship between time and money. Frequently, people have one or the other. But money can make your time more valuable. I knew private tours of the Vatican exists. I discovered you could have breakfast at the Vatican and then have a private tour.
The best part of this option is early skip the line (before normal opening hours) entry and smaller crowds. I overheard someone saying they’d been in line since 6am without VIP entry, normal entry starts at 9am!
Skipping the line doesn’t mean no crowds.
NOTE: This tour doesn’t get you into the St Peter’s Basilica (that’s a separate entrance and cost).
Happily we enjoyed the “American Breakfast” as well as an iced Italian cappuccino before our tour began.
It’s definitely worth discussing the options of your tour with your guide. They can help you make the most of your time. Ask for more time to get a good photo or to move along when it’s crowded, go at YOUR pace. PRO TIP: Listen to the guide and visit the Raphael Rooms. They contain some of the best art of the tour.
The building is impressive from almost every angle and curve. The art decorating the building is jaw dropping.
My first visit to the Sistene Chapel was remarkable, this one was surprisingly loud and chaotic. I wish a guard or monk had shushed the visitors this time too.
