The Vatican

One of our most requested tours, this is
actually a tour of an entire country - Citta' del Vaticano,
Vatican City. It is smaller than half a square mile, so
small that it could fit more than 8 times inside Central
Park in NYC, but it contains the world's largest museum,
the world's largest palace and the world's largest church!

First, a tour of the Vatican Museum, one of the world's
greatest and oldest art collections. With over 2,000 rooms
stuffed with objects, it is easy to understand why so
many tourists get lost, exhausted and overwhelmed. This
is a place where it really pays to have the company of an expert.
Your docent will lead you through the mazelike halls and
chambers, telling you all the while the gossip and great
stories from the Renaissance. Figures like Michelangelo,
Julius II, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci will come alive
at every turn. You will also learn the philosophy behind
the artwork, the Renaissance and the Museum itself. Of
course, you will see the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine
Chapel, but you'll be smiling because you'll have heard
from your guide all the great stories behind them.
Then, for those who wish to enter it, you will see the
world-famous great Basilica of St. Peter, the largest
Catholic church on earth.
Both the outdoor piazza and the church building are filled
with amazing secrets, unknown even to most Romans.
You'll find out all about the choosing of the Popes and
their private army, the famous Swiss Guards. At the end,
we will briefly explore the great Piazza of St. Peter
(aka St. Peter's Square, even though it's round!) and see
where the Pope lives, where he blesses the huge crowds
and where the smoke comes out during the voting for a
new Pope. At the end, your guide will point out where the
Pope's secret tunnel is hidden.

Of course, we are the only association in Rome that
interweaves Talmudic lore, Midrash and Jewish history
with the Vatican!

NOTE - Depending on your level of interest and energy, and on lines, crowds
and other variables out of our control,this tour can take from 3-4 hours,
be prepared to walk about 5 kilometers. For those entering St. Peter's Church,
there is a strictly enforced dress code (tz'niut): no shorts, hemlines above
mid-calf, bare shoulders, low cut necklines, or bare midriffs. Hats are not
allowed inside the Sistine Chapel or the Church; however,
discrete kippot are allowed.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Given that we are very few guides with an overwhelming amount of request, and all our tours are private, we are forced to turn many clients away. Please consider this before finalizing your bookings by email as we have a 50% cancellation fee for any tour cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled tour meeting time.

TOURS:
JEWISH ROME
ANCIENT ROME
EVENING STROLL
TIVOLI
VATICAN
CASTEL SANT' ANGELO