Excursion Hidden st.peter's with cupola and rome panorama tour at Civitavecchia

Embrace the exquisite beauty of Vatican City and its unique, breath-taking and priceless highlights during this unforgettable, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Civitavecchia, Vatican City, Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to Vatican City. Upon arrival at the coach drop-off point, walk to the Vatican Museums. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of the Vatican Museums and discover the Vatican Gardens. These beautiful gardens which have been a place of quiet reflection and meditation for the Popes since 1279, when Nicholas III moved his residence back to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace.

Fontana dell'Aquilone, Berlin Wall Section, Vatican Radio Station, St. Peter's Statue, Cupola

Your visit to the Vatican Museums includes an external view of the House of Pope Emerito Ratzinger, Fontana dell'Aquilone, a piece of the original Berlin Wall, donated to the Vatican when it was dismantled in 1989, and Vatican Radio Station (external view) projected and inaugurated by Guglielmo Marconi in 1931, the inventor of radio communications. In addition, see St. Peter's Statue, which faces St. Peter's Basilica from behind; a great position to see the Cupola from a very singular prospective, and the nearest point to the Cupola. From here, it is also possible to see the exterior of the Vatican Government Palace, Vatican Train Station, Academy of Science, and Casina di Pio IV.

Galleries, Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo Works, Cabinet of the Masks, St. Peter's Square, Colosseum

Next, take a guided stroll through some of the breath-taking galleries of the Vatican Museums, including the Cabinet of Masks one of the best hidden treasures of the Vatican Museums. You will have opportunity to discover this amazing little hall thanks to an exclusive pre-booked reservation. It takes its name from the magnificent ancient Roman micro-mosaic floor, removed from Emperor Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli (near Rome). The floor consists in 4 panels, 3 portraying theatrical masks and 1 a countryside landscape. Finally you will visit the Sistine Chapel.

Here, marvel at the masterpieces of the great artist, Michelangelo, including his frescoes of the Creation on the ceiling and Last Judgment on the altar wall. Finally, a visit is made to St. Peter's Square, home of St. Peter's Basilica, by far the largest church in the world where some free time to browse for souvenirs is given, then return to the coach pick-up point. Upon arrival, re-board your coach and proceed for lunch at a first-class hotel. After lunch, re-board your coach and head to the Colosseum. Following a photo stop here, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Vatican City, Vatican Museums, Vatican Gardens, St. Peter's Statue, Cupola, Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo Works, St. Peter's Square, Colosseum

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1.9 miles (about three kilometres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 250 steps at the sites visited. Walking in Vatican City is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility and guests who utilize a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Proper attire is required to the Sistine Chapel; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Guests may be required to check large bags, backpacks, video cameras and/or personal water bottles at designated check points. Flash photography is not permitted in the Vatican Museums. Videotaping and photography are not permitted at any time in the Sistine Chapel. During the inside visit of the Vatican Museums, the use of headsets owned and provided by the site's managements is compulsory. Guests are responsible for the headset devices provided for each venue; a fee of EU$50 is charged for each missing device. Should the designed coach drop-off/pick-up point be congested or unavailable, an alternative drop-off/pick-up point location is utilized, and requires an addition walk of approximately 0.6 miles (about 0.96 kilometres) from/to the alternative location. Guests must be at least 12 years old to participate on this tour. Guests must be at least 21 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. The driving time between the pier and Vatican City is approximately 1.5 hours in each direction. This tour does not operate on Wednesdays, Sundays or religious holidays. The tour sequence may vary.

Due to new traffic regulations in Rome, big motor coaches have limited access around city center. Therefore, additional walk will be required for guests to access the main venues.