The first stop on the tour will be the collection of ancient Roman and Greek artworks collected from excavations across Rome. The Vatican once had the rights to all archaeological finds, when the Popes ruled Central Italy. Your guide will show you the most significant of these, including the Belvedere Apollo, the Torso, the busts of Claudius and Hadrian and the sarcophagi of Helen and Constance, the mother and daughter of Emperor Constantine. Next you’ll see the Room of Animals and the Gallery of Candelabra where you can walk over rare Roman mosaics and view the magnificent statues of Diana of Ephesus, the Muses and a multitude of Greek philosophers. Following this, you’ll see the Gallery of Tapestries, the Sobieski Hall and Raphael’s Rooms. The latter were once the private apartments of Pope Julius II; decorated by Raphael and his assistants. These rooms house two of the painter’s most famous works: the Parnassus and The School of Athens.

The best-know attraction of the Vatican City is the Sistine Chapel, Italy’s most popular attraction. You’ll hear about Michelangelo’s frescoes - The Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis - as well as information on the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted by Botticelli, Perugino and other Renaissance masters. The Sistine Chapel is still in use, most notably for each papal election –Conclave. Your guide will share with you anecdotes and little-known secrets about this sacred place.