Start your Vatican tour right away with your skip-the-line tickets. You’ll meet your guide just outside the Vatican Museums,and be escorted straight in to the breathtaking exhibits. Your first stop is the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, and the Pinecone Courtyard. Next you’ll see highlights of the impressive collections of the Vatican Museums, including the stunning works of Raphael and Michelangelo, collected by various Popes throughout the centuries.

Next, you’ll enter the glorious Sistine Chapel, where you’ll see Michelangelo's famous frescoes "The Last Judgment," and "The Creation of Adam."

The Dome of St. Peter's Basilica is best seen from an up-close perspective. A short lift ride will take you to the main level inside the vault. From here, you’ll have a fantastic view of the staggering mosaics and stunning elaborate embellishments. This view affords the best perspective to appreciate the artisans’ skills and techniques used to create such intricate work. Climb up the 281 steps to the highest point of the Dome for one of the best views of the entire city of Rome, and your guide will show you landmarks and points of interest from this birds-eye view.

When you return to ground level, you’ll explore St. Peter’s Basilica, and you’ll see Michelangelo's famous Pietà, the only piece of work he ever signed. You’ll learn how Michelangelo was chosen over his peers for the distinct honor to paint St. Peter’s heavenly arch. Then, you’ll visit the underground ecclesiastical tomb, where many Popes have been buried over the centuries. You will also explore the various houses of prayer, and shrouded graves.