Vatican City, St Peters Basilica, Vatican Museum, The Sistine Chapel & more

First let me say that a half day at the Vatican is barely enough time to see what there is to offer here, even if you are not religious , the history of the place is simply mind-blowing!

Susan, ATP, SL & AY with Vatican City in the Background

Whether you have limited time or all the time in the world to explore Vatican City, I highly recommend hiring a guide for inside the Vatican.  As I mentioned in my previous post, we had hired RomeCabs to give us our 'Rome in a Day' tour.  At the Vatican, you must hire a licensed Vactican guide for inside the Museum, Sistine Chapel, etc.  Our fantastic RomeCabs guide & driver, Jon Lucas could only take us so far.  When you make your reservation with RomeCabs they will ask you if you would like to arrange a guide.  Say yes and they will handle everything for you.  It is worth it.

We had a group of 8 taking this tour which made it all quite affordable.  All the folks on this tour were met on Cruise Critic. Everyone in our group had been on at least one excursion with us over the 12 days of our cruise.

This is our tour group -- see all 'normal' nice people! LOL

Jon Lucus picked up everyone first thing in the morning - we were at two separate hotels. I've already talked about our morning in Rome and the afternoon was set aside for the Vatican.  RomeCabs set us up with a wonderful guide who was quite knowledgable.

AY & Sheila with our guide at the end of the tour

Because the Vatican Museums are so vast and labyrinthine that makes it overwhelming for first time visitors, and posseses such an incredible amount of precious art that is often missed without the guidance of an expert, we highly recommend hiring a private English speaking licensed Vatican Guide to accompany you on a 2 hour tour through the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. 

Here is RomeCabs description of the Vatican portion of our day:

You will visit the smallest country in the world, the Vatican (also known as Vatican City). Your first stop will be the Vatican Museums, where you will be amazed and delighted at the extensive compelling collection of masterpieces including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Caravagio, Perugino, Titian, Raphael, and a vast treasure of classic sculptures from antiquity.
Among the most widely visited galleries and halls are Raphael Rooms, Gallery of Tapestries, Hall of Maps, the Pinacoteca and the most famous chapel in the world: the Sistine Chapel.

A big no-no, someone in our party took a picture with out a flash in the Sixtine Chapel!

Costs for the Vatican tour guide:  150 Euros (+ 3 Euros per person for earphones) for a group up to 8 people. Payment will be made directly to your private tour guide at the end of the Vatican tour. (22 Euro's a person + tip a steal of a deal!!)

A few words about the Sistine Chapel:  warning-it IS overwhelming.  This was my 3rd visit and I think I got more enjoyment out of this visit than my first two.  On the far side of the chapel from where you enter, there is a clear plastic bench to sit on.  I sat there for almost all the allotted time in the Chapel and just looked up and around.  It is amazing to me that a man laying on his back for 4 years painted this.  It is jaw-dropping.  Your guide will tell you all about the history of it and the museum as you pass through that, but just seeing this in person is worth the trip!

Look up everywhere

Check out the ceiling in the hall of the museum 

After the Vatican Museums, youvisit St Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom and the site where it is believed to be the tomb of St Peter. Inside the basilica you’ll admire Michelangelo’s impressive masterpiece thePieta, Bernini’s many accomplishments such as the monumentalBaldacchino (the bronze canopy above the altar) behind which you’ll see the glowing splendor of the Cathedra Petri (the throne of St Peter) and the ornate  Chapel of the Sacrament.

You will be amazed as you enter the Basilica.  There is just so much to absorb, it is difficult to take it all in.  It is so helpful to have a guide that will escort you through the crowds, explain what you are seeing, talking about the history both religious, historical and artistic.

You can an should read up on the Basilica and Vatican City before you go as it will increase your enjoyment of this incredible site, however having a good guide will make your time here more enjoyable and less stressful.  You do not have to worry about where to go first, get your tickets, headphones etc.  Your guide will lead you through the crowds to see all the best of what Vatican City has to show.

AY in front of the Holy Door

SL in the Basilica, with Peters throne in the background 

Our day with RomeCabs was excellent.  Since we were staying at one hotel and 4 of our companions were staying at other hotels, Jon Lucas was kind enough to do two drop offs. ATP, AY, SL & I wanted to be dropped off back at the Colosseum to take a few pictures as the sun set.  So he dropped off the other 4 travelers first, then it was back to the Colosseum for the 4 of us.

Jon Lucas getting hugs at the end of a great day!

On our way back we were talking about our previous days trip to the best gelato in the Rome and Jon Lucas has to chime in with his opinion!  He told us he would take us to the 'best gelato in Rome' in his opinion, after we took our sunset pictures.  Now, our tour was to end at 5:30 pm, with a drop off at our hotel.  It was after 6 pm at this point and I was amazed that Jon Lucas was going to do not one, but two stops additional for us, on what I am sure was his own time!  What a fabulous guy!  Really!  He'd been with us since 8:30 am and you would think he'd be ready to get rid of us and go home.  Instead, we took these pictures:

no, I am not eating two - just holding ATP's 

Then it was off to get more Gelato at Jon Lucas' favorite place, Palazzo Del Freddo!

Jon Lucas dropped us off at Palazzo Del Freddo, and we told him we would make our own way back to the hotel.  Even though we were having a late afternoon Gelato, we knew with a little walking we would be ready for dinner.  So off we went, making our way towards our hotel, enjoying a last stroll with AY & SL as they would be heading home first thing in the morning.  

Our dinner restaurant was a prefect choice for our last Rome dinner together.  We found a lovely little place, Meruilana Cafe.  The food was to die for.  And they had BAKED CHEESE on the Menu!  I had been telling my travel companions about the wondrous delight that is Baked Cheese! We ordered some and every one agreed it was delicious!   Pasta, fish & wine were the order of the evening and we had a lovely last meal together.  

 Besides great food we also enjoyed great new friendships on this trip.   Especially with AY & SL.  We hope to meat up with them again for another adventure in travel.  

The Las Supper

Then it was a short walk and a little ride on the subway to get back to Courtyard.  Then end of a long but delightful day of sight seeing, food & fun with fiends.


Do this:    Hire a private guide for Vatican City
Ask this:  Ask a local what their favorite gelato place is
Enjoy:     The Sistine Chapel - sit and look up and take it all in!

Next up, Cruise wrap-up and FAQ about Cruising!
Until next time, travel safe!