Rome: Turning the Lights on at the Vatican Museums

Highlights

• Be the Vatican’s Key Master during the opening of the Vatican Museums. Spend 120 minutes within the walls of the Vatican Museums and without any crowd disturbance.
• Take time to appreciate Michelangelo’s work on the iconic frescoes in Sistine Chapel.
• End your journey by partaking in a sumptuous American breakfast at Cortile della Pigna.

Full description

Gianni has been leading the team every morning for nearly ten years now. Their duty? To open the doors of the 24 galleries, museums, and chapels that make up the Vatican Museums and are all interconnected. Would you like to accompany him with a small group on this special morning task? Opening the doors of some of the most famous art collections in the world? Listen to the sound made by those ancient locks as you turn them using keys yourself; watch how those historic rooms come alive when you switch on lights. You will be able to discover Vatican Museums and its treasures — in a way not possible for any other visitor.As you walk through these corridors, pay attention to stories shared by Gianni from his journey as head clavigero including interesting anecdotes related to more than 20,000 pieces displayed there. At daybreak there will be a chance for you to see the most impressive spaces, and those not open to the public. Upon completion of your tour, make your way to Cortile della Pigna where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast that includes a croissant or pain au chocolat, pancakes with peanut butter or marmalade, an orange or apple juice and tea or coffee.

Includes

• Participate in the premiere group to enter the Vatican Museums before the general public can enter.
• The entrance fee includes a visit to the Vatican Museum and also attendance at the guided tour of the Vatican Museums plus Sistine Chapel and interpreter service with an American-style breakfast.
• This is not your typical morning museum visit; this is a journey through dawn’s exclusivity displayed within the sacred halls of one of the world’s most famous museums— definitely far from what you imagine seeing when visiting a museum in early daylight.

Not includes

• Tour of St. Peter's Basilica
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to bring

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes
• A shirt that covers the arms
• Long trousers

Not allowed

• Pets
• Shorts
• Bags or suitcases
• Skirts that are short
• Shirts without sleeves.
• Backpacks
• Umbrellas

Know before you go

• There are certain rules that must be adhered to when visiting the Vatican.
• One such rule is that you must have your shoulders and knees covered; failure to comply with this rule could result in being turned away at the entrance. Another rule states that if you are late, your presence will not be acknowledged.
• Additionally, all visitors will have to pass through security— similar to an airport check.
• The tour will be conducted in Italian by Gianni Crea, with an interpreter who translates into English for the benefit of all participants.
• Your travel advisory: the St. Peter's Basilica tickets are not included in the tour as the entry is free but it could be tough to access due to large numbers of people, and some parts of this tour may not be suitable for wheelchairs.
• Remember only small backpacks and handbags are allowed inside the Vatican Museums.