Avoid the rush and spend the morning exploring the Vatican City before the crowds arrive! With exclusive skip-the-ticket-line access, you'll go inside the Sistine Chapel and Upper Galleries of the Vatican Museums, traveling in a small group of no more than 12 people. With over 2,000 rooms, it’s impossible to see the entire collection of the Vatican. But your tour will take a carefully planned route to see the highlights of the 9 miles of galleries. Marvel at the Pinecone Courtyard and Hall of Maps, before going into the Gallery of Tapestries and Gallery of Candelabras. Next, see the incredible Raphael Rooms. Your guide will bring the art to life, pointing out things you never would have noticed on your own. A highlight of the tour comes when you go to the Sistine Chapel. Guided tours are not permitted within the chapel so, with the aid of photographs, your guide will fill you in on details before. Admire Michelangelo’s boneless self-portrait, in which he expressed to the world that he would rather be skinned alive than paint the Sistine Chapel again! Exit by a special access door that leads straight into St. Peter’s Basilica. See the incredible altar and Michelangelo’s beautiful La Pietà, before ending outside on St. Peter’s Square. *Please be aware that due to “Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy” this year, St. Peter's Basilica closes without notice. Other areas of the Vatican will be substituted to ensure you have the best possible experience. * From April until October, the tour will include a shorter guided tour of the Basilica. Additionally, from November until March, there will not be a guided tour inside the Basilica. The guide will still be able to provide an explanation from outside, however, and you will be able to enter the Basilica independently. The duration of your tour will not be affected by either of these factors.