Dutch guide in the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and basilica

Highlights

• A tour at St. Peter's Basilica with a guide who speaks Dutch.
• On the itinerary are Michelangelo's Pietà and Bernini's Baldachin altar.
• Also included are Michelangelo's frescoes and Raphael's Stanze— the tombs of the Popes in St. Peter's.

Full description

This tour allows you to discover the history of the Vatican Museums and Vatican City with a licensed guide in a fun way. After meeting the guide you will quickly skip the line with fast-track tickets. From the central terrace that overlooks St. Peter's Cathedral, we can have a sneak peek at Vatican Gardens; after a brief introduction on the terrace we will first visit Belvedere Palace where antique statue collection of Vatican is displayed. In that place are preserved those masterpieces which fascinated Michelangelo five hundred years ago— among others, the Laocoön group now two thousand years old and the Apollo. Also there is the Torso Belvedere, inspiring Rodin for his famous Thinker. From here we walk through three art galleries to Raphael's Stanze. These galleries are: the gallery of the Candelabra, the gallery of Flemish tapestries from Raphael’s own school and then later on we enter into a room full of topographical maps ordered by a Pope who reformed our calendar in 1582 introducing Gregory. XIII. After having seen Raphael's School of Athens painted in one of these rooms, we proceed towards Sistine Chapel — a private papal chapel used for electing popes during conclave meetings and where Michelangelo created his wonderful frescoes on ceiling as well as end wall behind altar. It is important that we spend enough time inside Sistine Chapel so as to take everything in without any haste or hurry. One of the things we see there is Michelangelo's Pietà, his first work in Rome when he was only 23 years old. Also the Bronze Holy Door, the altar of Saint John Paul II, Bernini's beautiful Baldachin and the lying body of John XXIII. After visiting the papal tombs we will end at the ceremonial relieving ceremony of the Swiss Guards — all in all there will be much to see and many impressions to be gained. The Dutch guide is there to provide information in a clear and understandable manner in Dutch language for young and old! NB: The Vatican provides headsets with earplugs to all groups so that the guide with microphone can always be heard clearly. Those who want more comfort or wear a hearing aid might find it nice to bring their own earplugs or headphones with a cord. The Pietà can be seen there. This was Michelangelo's first work in Rome when he was only 23 years old. Also noted are the Bronze Holy Door, the altar of Saint John Paul II, Bernini's beautiful Baldachin, the lying body of John XXIII. After visiting the papal tombs we will end with the ceremonial relieving ceremony of the Swiss Guards — all in all there will be much to see and many impressions to be gained! The Dutch guide is there to convey information in a clear and understandable manner in the Dutch language for both young and old. N.B: The Vatican provides headsets with earplugs to all groups so that the guide with microphone can always be heard clearly; for those who want more comfort or wear a hearing aid it may be nice to bring your own earplugs or headphones with a cord!

Includes

• Skip the line access to Vatican Museums with priority entrance tickets
• Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica
• Professional Dutch speaking guide
• Wireless earphones for a better listening of your guide's explanations

Not includes

• This is not intended for pedestrian or mobility scooter users or individuals in wheelchairs.

What to bring

• Identity verification at airports is typically done using a passport or an ID card.

Know before you go

• The dress code for the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica calls for modest attire, covering shoulders and knees; hence, sleeveless tops or short skirts are not permissible.