In a small group, you'll admire ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sculptures, marvel at Renaissance masterpieces by Michelangelo and Raphael, and stand in awe of the Vatican's crown jewel: the Sistine Chapel. The morning is the busiest period of the day at the Vatican, so we'll avoid the AM masses by visiting in the late afternoon. Either I or one of my enthusiastic cohosts will provide a comprehensive tour to the Sistine Chapel and the Pope's collection of art, giving fun, relevant, and interesting info along the way. We'll also allow free time for exploration and photos. Following the Sistine Chapel, we'll take the back entrance to St. Peter's, only open to visitors with a licensed guide. This back entrance allows us to skip the huge security lines outside St. Peter's Basilica. St. Peter's is the largest church in the world and the center of religion for Catholics, so we'll make sure to give it the time it deserves. During our visit, we'll go to some of the less-visited side chapels, which include sculptures by Michelangelo, paintings by Raphael, and even the exposed bodies of deceased Popes. We'll conclude the tour in St. Peter's Basilica, where you'll have an option of exploring its crypts lined with the tombs of many Popes (free to visit), and time for self-exploration.

The Sistine Chapel is astonishingly beautiful, and we'll give it the time it deserves. Your guide will provide a thorough explanation of Michelangelo's masterpiece frescos before hand (no talking in the Sistine Chapel), so you know what you're seeing before hand, then you'll be able to appreciate it beauty in person. We'll take a "guides only" exit from the Chapel into St. Peter's Basilica, saving us hours in line.