audio tour of vatican

Rome: Vatican Museums Italy Audio Tours

• Places & Travel

For the latest version of this audio tour, download the (free!) Rick Steves' Audio Europe™ App — available for Apple and Android. Learn more at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe Set in an immense and lavish papal palace decorated by the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael, the Vatican Museums are a treasure chest of the ancient world, holding some of the greatest art anywhere. This tour leads you right up to the Sistine Chapel, covered in a separate audio tour.

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• © 2012-2019 by Rick Steves' Europe

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Vatican Museums audioguide 4+

Guided tour, offline map, andrii bakanov, designed for iphone.

• 5.0 • 5 Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

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Description.

Interactive guide, offline 3D map, the most significant exhibits and collections of the Vatican Museums. I. Mode "GUIDED TOUR" It is impossible to walk around all Vatican Museums, even if you have just a quick look at every object. We chose TOP 25 artworks. Follow the on-screen instructions of your personal guide, and you will hear stories of the creation of the most renowned exhibits and collections. 
 II. Mode "MAP" We created a model of the Vatican Museums. The interactive 3D map includes collections (halls) and top museum exhibits. Just one click and you will get the respective information to listen and read. 
 III. CLASSIFICATION of collections, exhibits and authors Easy-to-follow navigation through structured audio and text data. Function “Show on the map” will show the location of a collection or a museum exhibit on the model of the Vatican Museum. 
 IV. TICKET TO THE MUSEUM Are you ready to waste 4 hours in a line to buy a ticket? We will save your time and tell how to buy a ticket on-line on the Vatican official web-site. 
 V. HOW TO GET THERE The Application will plan an easy route straight up to the gate of the Vatican Museums.

Version 1.9

Ratings and Reviews

Used this app as I walked through the Vatican Museum and it was helpful. The level of detail 3D map was perfect. Highly recommend

Easy to use

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The developer, Andrii Bakanov , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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Audio and video guides: a companion for an independent and interactive visit!

Vatican museums audioguide.

A modern, simple and light MP3 reader that accompanies and guides the visitor along the museum itinerary.

Video guide in American Sign Language

An innovative tool, designed and produced for deaf and hard of hearing visitors.

Audioguide open bus tour of the Vatican Gardens

A comfortable and environmentally friendly way of enjoying the natural and architectural beauty of the Vatican Gardens.

Audioguide Art and Faith

A thematic itinerary amid Art and Faith revealing the continuous and profound cross-reference between Christianity and culture, between divine and human.

Audioguide Family Tour

A practical audioguide and an illustrated colour map guide on a special tour.

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• The Location

Τhe Vatican Museums – Free virtual experience

• Important Information

Experience the Vatican Museums from the comfort of your home with an engaging self-guided virtual tour narrated in English, from your PC or smartphone browser. It’s so simple! Hit ‘START’ and in a couple of minutes, you will travel back in time and enjoy a virtual journey from the comfort of your couch!

Through the power of storytelling combined with street and satellite views, you will discover not only historical facts but also unknown stories and tales of ancient and modern times that will amaze your family and friends. The tour’s content is the result of in-depth research, squeezed into brief intriguing stories that will make your virtual visit both engaging and informative. The tour is only available online and you can access it repeatedly anytime.

This is an unmissable opportunity to gain valuable insights into treasures of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel and immerse yourself in the surroundings/exhibits in an entirely innovative way.

The threshold into antiquity

Formerly adorning the Bishop’s Palace at Tivoli in Villa Adriana, these two statue-pillars were donated to Pope Pius VI in 1779 to be placed at the entrance way to his museum of ancient statues. The statues were made from red granite from Aswan in the 16th century. Their presence serves as a threshold between the age of Egyptian art and that of the first centuries after Christ. What’s more, the exhibits bear testimony to the “Egyptomania” that overcame Rome and many European travelers during the 18th century. This overwhelming desire to rediscover antiquity resulted in a renewed interest in archaeology. Systematic excavations were carried out, unearthing many of the pieces one sees today in the Pio Clementine Museum.

• Virtual Self-guided Tour for the Vatican Museums with satellite & street views
• Audio content with engaging & original stories in English
• Transportation
• Offline access

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• Desktop, laptop or smartphone device
• Internet connection

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Vatican Audio Guide Tour

Discover the Vatican with a self-guided audio tour using the Vatican Museum audio guide. Explore at your own pace and enjoy storytelling from our multilingual audio guide as you go.

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Flexible cancellation options on all bookings

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Discover the world with our audio guides

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Discover the masterpieces of this venue, including:

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Important details to understand before starting your tour:

Please note, this is a digital experience. There is no meeting point or staff on-site.

Frequently Ask Questions

Do I need to find any guide if I have purchased a Vatican Museums Self Guided Audio Tour?

If the product you have purchased is a self-guided tour, as indicated in the title. Therefore, there is no designated meeting point, and there is no need to meet with someone from our team. You have the flexibility to enjoy the tour at your convenience.

Do the entrance ticket comes with purchasing this audio guide?

The entrance ticket to Vatican Museums is not included and needs to be purchased separately. This self-guided audio tour is subject to the opening days and hours for the Vatican Museums.

How to download Vatican Museums Self Guided Audio Tour?

Simply scan the QR code on your voucher and follow the instructions to download the VoxCity app and the city map in your preferred language. If you encounter any problems shoot us an email at [email protected] or contact our customer support live 24/7 through our website. Remember that you can download the city map prior to your arrival.

Can I use my Vatican audio guide anytime in future?

The Vatican audio guide allows you to use it on a future visit if you are unable to enjoy it today. It remains accessible and available for you to use on any suitable day in the near future too.

Vatican Museums Self Guided Audio Tour

Rome , Italy

• Sistine Chapel
• Pine Courtyard
• Pinacoteca & More

€5,00  Per Person

Rated By Vox Citizens.

Overall rating

Review summary

Vox City's Vatican Museum audio guide Tour was a pilgrimage through art. The audio guide eloquently told the stories behind the Vatican's renowned collections, immersing me in the world of religious and secular masterpieces.

The Vatican audio guide provided captivating narratives that made the artwork come alive. From the grandeur of the Vatican's vast collections to the intimate details hidden in each brushstroke, it was an amazing experience that left me in awe.

Embarking on Vox City's Vatican Museum audio guide was like entering a magical world. As I explored the vast halls adorned with breathtaking masterpieces, the audio guide seamlessly transported me back in time, revealing the stories behind each painting and sculpture.

With Vox City's Vatican Museum Audio Guide Tour, I became a part of the rich tapestry of history. As I wandered through the magnificent corridors and admired the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel, the Vatican audio tour transported me to the time when these treasures were created. It was an immersive journey that left me in awe of human creativity.

I felt like a true art connoisseur with Vox City's Vatican audio guide Tour. The Vatican audio tour skillfully guided me through the maze-like galleries, providing intriguing insights into the works of Michelangelo, Raphael, and countless other legendary artists. It was a remarkable experience that deepened my appreciation for the beauty of the Vatican Museums.

Seraphina Evangeline

Traveling solo can feel isolating, but Vox City's friendly narration kept me company throughout my Vatican Museum tour.

Maximilian Bartholomew

Forget the crowds, Vox City audio gudie gave me the perfect Vatican Museum tour!

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• Vatican Museums & Sistine
• Vatican Gardens Tour

Garden Tour

The Vatican Gardens Tour by bus

VATICAN GARDENS TOUR- Minibus tour with audio guide to discover the green heart of the Vatican , a 45-minute tour on an eco-friendly minibus. Includes a ticket to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on the same day with no lines. 

Every day, except Saturday and religious holidays. Several morning time ranges may be booked. 

Entry to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel is only allowed to visitors who are appropriately dressed. Low-cut or sleeveless outfits, shorts, miniskirts, and hats are not allowed.

Electronic voucher can be shown on tablet or cell phone. The voucher image must be clear and legible for the scanner.  The voucher is sent by email.

About 45 minutes

The ticket includes booking to skip the line at the entrance. 

 The tour is currently not accessible for people in wheelchairs. 

Tour by mini bus with audioguide

+39 055 5321180 (Mon-Fri 8:30 am -6:30 pm/ Sat-Sun 8:30 am -4:30 pm)

Description of your booking

The tour of the Vatican Gardens in an eco-friendly open bus , letting visitor comfortably admire the marvels of the smallest State in the world, its great monuments, works of art and natural wonders. The tour is accompanied by a multilingual audio guide Italian, English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and Russian  to let you discover this unforgettable architectural and artistic heritage. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and there are no planned breaks. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed on this tour. After the garden tour is over, visitors can go into the Vatican Museums with the same ticket from a special entrance without waiting in line.

What is included

- Tour of the Vatican Gardens in eco-friendly open bus - Multilingual audio guide of the gardens - Quick admission ticket to the Vatican Museums - Admission to the Sistine Chapel

What is not included

- Guided tour of the gardens - Guided tour inside the museums - Audio guide of the museums

Note : This tour is very popular and there are few dates with a limited number of spots per day. Online availability may, therefore, not always be updated in real time. Please consider the booking confirmed only upon receipt of the voucher. If the date and time you requested are sold out, we will contact you to find the best alternative. Italy Travels cannot be held responsible for partial closing museum rooms, itinerary variations inside the museum, cancellations or entrance delays due to unexpected events, strikes or decisions taken by the museum direction or unexpected variations of the Pope movements which involve the museum buildings.

children 6 -17 years old and students 18-25 years old with valid International Student Card or a student identity document.

Buying a reduced ticket without the necessary qualifications or not presenting a valid student identity card will require you to buy another entrance full ticket. The reduced ticket will not be refunded.

Children under 6 years old no admitted to this tour. Disabled people (over 74% disability with certification) do not need any reservation. Price includes skip-the-line service 4.00 euros and on line reservation fee 5.00 euros.

Cancellation policy

Vatican Garden tickets are non-refundable in any case and cannot be cancelled. This booking is in NO way refundable, even partially. You may change the tour time and/or date only once within 2 working days before the booked date based on the museum's availability for the selected date. After that point, the voucher may no longer be changed. The new date must be within 55 days from the original date. The change will be accepted subject to availability. Only one change is allowed that may apply simultaneously to the time and date of the tour. The two factors – date and time – may not, however, be changed upon two separate occasions. The type of ticket, number of tickets, and booked service may not be changed. If you need to make changes, please contact our offices by email a  [email protected]  or by phone +39 0552670402. Requests of changes must always be communicated in writing by email. Visitors must always print out the modified voucher and show the print-out at the ticket office on the day of the tour. If you need to make changes to your booking, please contact our offices by email a  [email protected]  or by phone +39 0552670402. Requests of changes must always be communicated in writing by email. Visitors must always print out the modified voucher and show the print-out at the ticket office on the day of the tour.

From Monday toSaturday TIME RANGES 08.45-09.15 09.45-10.15 12.15-12.45 The exact tour starting time will be communicated on the reservation voucher sent by email within the range of time choosed.

Instructions for entry are printed on the voucher that will be sent by email to confirm booking and vary based on the type of booking. Address : Viale Vaticano, Vatican City, Rome Metro:  line A, stop Cipro/Musei Vaticani

Useful info

Backpacks, suitcases, or large bags may not be brought in the sites. The ticket allows you to access to museums only once. You must go through  security checks at the metal detectors . The wait for these mandatory procedures cannot be avoided. Do not forget to bring a valid identification card or valid passport (one per person). Italy Travels cannot be held responsible for partial closing museum rooms, itinerary variations inside the museum, cancellations or entrance delays due to unexpected events, strikes or decisions taken by the museum direction or unexpected variations of the Pope movements which involve the museum buildings.

What you will see with this booking

Tour description: the tour of the Vatican Gardens lets visitor have a glimpse in the smallest State in the world, its great monuments, works of art, and natural wonders. A ticket includes the option of a (non-guided) visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. The tour is given in a minibus with no stops, letting you discover unforgettable architectural and artistic heritage. An audio guide takes visitors through the tour, explaining what they are seeing.

Vatican Gardens minibus tour with audio guide

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Tickets for the Vatican Gardens

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Opinions of this experience, faq - all you need to know to visit the vatican museums.

How much time it takes a visit at the Vatican Museums?

To visit the Vatican Museums it takes at least 3 hours. Once inside the museum you can stay inside until the closing time.

In which times of entry it is possible to visit the Vatican Museums?

Vatican Museums are open from Monday to Saturdays from 09:00 am to 6:00 pm, the last bookable entry is at 3:30 pm.

In which days the Vatican museums are closed?

Vatican Museums are closed every Sundays and for public holiday days.

What happens on the last Sunday of the month at the Vatican Museums?

On the last Sunday of the month the museums are exceptionally open and entrance is free. Visits are possible from 09:00 am to 2pm, last entrance at 12:30.

Is there a Dress code for the Vatican Museums?

To visit the Vatican Museums it is necessary to be properly dressed. For this reason, sleeveless, low-cut clothing, shorts, miniskirts and hats are not allowed.

How long do I have to wait if I do not have the reservation?

The line for the entrance at the Vatican Museums is usually very long. We are not able to know precisely the waiting time, it may depends on the days and the period.

Is it possible to take photos and/or videos inside the Vatican Museums?

In the exhibition halls it is possible to take photos and/or videos without flash. Non- authorized professional equipment are not allowed and must be authorized from the museums.

Is it possible to take photos and/or videos inside the Sistine Chapel?

Inside the Sistine Chapel it is strictly forbidden to take photos and / or videos with or without flash.

Is it possible to talk inside the Sistine Chapel?

Inside the Sistine Chapel it is not possible to talk, official guides also do not have the permission to give explanations inside.

It is possible to eat inside the Vatican Museums?

Inside the exhibition halls it is not possible to eat. Along the museum path you can find many vending machines and refreshment points, snack bars, restaurants, a pizzeria and a self-service.

Is the Sistine Chapel included in the entry ticket?

Yes, in the simple entrance tickets for the Vatican Museums the Sistine Chapel is included.

Do I have to print the voucher for the Vatican Museums?

For the no-line entrance at the Vatican Museums it is possible to show the voucher from the mobile phone.

Do families visiting the Vatican Museums have any reductions?

No, there are no reductions for families.

Do I have to pre- pay the ticket to jump the line at the Vatican Museums?

Yes, the ticket must be paid in advance.

Is there an access for people with reservation at the entrance?

Yes, there is a reserved access for visitors with reservation, restricted by barriers and marked by a sign.

Are People older than 65 entitled to discounts or free tickets?

Visitors older than 65 years old need to pay the full ticket.

Are teachers entitled to any reductions for the Vatican Museums?

No, they do not have any reductions; they need to buy the full price ticket.

Are journalists entitled to gratuity?

Yes, they gain free ticket at the entrance if they present the journalist press pass. However, if they wish to jump the line they need to pay the full ticket, as the free entrance is considered only without reservation.

Are students entitled to any reduction for the Vatican Museums?

International students not older than 25 years old are entitled to a reduced ticket.

Which ticket do I have to purchase if I am under 18 years old?

Children under years old do not need any ticket and they are free. Visitors from 6 to 18 years old must book the reduced tickets.

Can I pay the tickets of the Vatican Museums with bank transfer?

Yes, when the date of the visit is not too near. The bank transfer takes 2 or 3 days to be effective and during the high season the availability of the museum may change rapidly. The order will be worked just when the amount of the bank transfer will reach the bank account.

How does it work reservation for schools?

Schools willing to reserve entrances for the Vatican Museum should contact directly the Vatican Museums.

Once that I did the order, how should I expect the tickets to arrive?

The ticket is sent per e-mail and can be shown directly from the mobile phone. The bar code on the voucher must be visible.

Can I reserve the ticket on line and pay it at the museum?

No, the ticket must be paid when reserved.

Once that I received the voucher it is possible to modify the date or the time?

Yes, it is allowed to do just one modification at the date or the time with a forewarning of 48 hours at least. The modification is subordinated to the availability of the places.

It is possible to cancel the reservation at the Vatican Museums?

Once that the voucher is emitted it is no longer possible to cancel the reservation.

How can I require a modification at my reservation?

To require a modification for the ticket or the tour it is necessary to send an e-mail to [email protected] in the due time specified on the voucher.

Can I change the type of the reservation?

No, if you reserved a ticket you will be able to modify just the date or/and the time. It is not possible to modify the type of the ticket from full to reduced nor it is possible to change the activity reserved, for example from ticket to guided tour. In this case it will be required to do a new reservation and the first one won’t be refunded.

It is possible to visit the Vatican Museums in the evening?

Yes, from April to October there are evening openings every Fridays.

How much does the evening ticket cost?

The ticket has the same cost of the ordinary ticket that permit the entrance during the day.

It is possible to visit the Vatican Museums during the evening with a guide?

Yes, by reserving a tour with a private guide.

What it is possible to see during the evening openings at the Vatican Museums?

All the halls opened by the administration and the Sistine Chapel.

It is possible to bring luggage, bags or backpacks inside the museum?

It is not possible to bring inside the Vatican Museums luggage that the museum does not consider proper. You can deposit your personal objects by the cloakroom, which is free for the visitors of the Vatican Museums.

When is it the cloakroom?

Ground floor, in front of the ticket offices.

How much is the cost for the cloakroom?

The service is free.

It is possible to bring pets inside the Vatican Museum?

It is not possible to bring any pets inside the Vatican Museum. The only exception is for guide dogs for blind people with certificate attesting support for therapeutic treatments.

How does it work the entrance for people with disability?

All visitors with certified disability superior to 74% can go directly at the tickets office with the disability certification and have free access.

Does the person accompanying the disable people have to pay at the Vatican Museums?

The people accompanying has free entrance just if the disable person is certifies as non self-sufficient.

Are there wheelchairs available at the museums?

Yes, it is possible to rent wheelchairs for free while stocks last.

It is possible to have a guided tour for the Vatican Museums?

Yes, it is possible to reserve guided tours or private tours. All our proposals are on line on our site. For special requests or large groups you can send an e-mail to [email protected] or call us at the +39 055 2670402.

How much does a guided tour at the Vatican Museums cost?

Fares may vary, on our site they are in any case updated. The cost of the guided tour varies belonging to the type and duration of the tour.

How much does a private tour at the Vatican Museums cost?

A tour in English with private guide of the Vatican Museums for two persons has a cost that starts from € 290.00 on. Rates are subject to variations based on seasonality, language and number of people. The price varies according to the number of participants, the language in which the tour takes place, if it takes place in holyday days or during the evening and to the duration. For any other information, please visit our website or call us at +39 055 2670402.

How can I visit the Sistine Chapel?

The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums. You can visit it by purchasing the ticket for the Vatican Museums.

Can I visit just the Sistine Chapel?

Once inside the Vatican Museums, you can go directly to the Sistine Chapel by following the signs "Sistine Chapel - short path" which are situated along all the rooms.

Is there a ticket just for the Sistine Chapel?

No, the ticket is the same for the Vatican Museum.

Can I book a tour just for the Sistine Chapel?

Yes, it is possible to book a tour with a private guide that will focus just on the Sistine Chapel. In this case it is a special tour that it is necessary to require per e-mail to [email protected]

How can I visit the Vatican Gardens?

The Vatican Gardens can be visited with a tour by bus or a walking tour.

Is there a ticket for the Vatican Gardens?

There is a ticket that permits the visit at the Vatican Gardens.

Which kind of tour can I do at the Vatican Gardens?

It is possible to book a tour with ecological bus with multilingual Audio Guide, a group tour with a guide or a visit with private guide.

Where is the entrance for the Vatican Museums?

If you have the reservation for the Vatican Museum, it is necessary to entry from Viale Vaticano from the main entry of the Vatican Museum.

What is included in the tour of the Vatican Garden?

All the tours of the Vatican Garden include also the ticket to see the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, which can be visited once that the visit at the Garden is finished.

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5 replies to this topic

And if they have extra devices available at the time you ask, yes, you can rent one of these devices on site...of course, there is no guarantee that there will be availability at the moment you ask.

You can also access the official audioguide for the Colosseum through their app - ParcoColosseo. It isn't free like the Rick Steve's or other options on the internet, but it is cheaper than renting a device.

On the ParcoColosseo app there are actually some free itineraries as well as the ones you can purchase. I am still trying to understand what the difference is and if it is worth purchasing them or go with the free ones. Maybe the purchased ones have a few more stops?

Additional question generally do the audio guides come with headphones or do they play without them? Could 2 or 3 people share one if the play without headphones? Thanks

In my experience audio guides come with their own headphones.

But I highly recommend the Rick Steeves audio via the app. We have used both.

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• Vatican Museums a...

Vatican Museums audio tour

Has anyone used "The unofficial guide to the Vatican Museums" app by ItalyGuides.it for audio tour of the museums? We will have just little over 3 hours to see the museums and the Sistine Chapel so we are not sure if we will get the time to go into details of everything. If we rent audio guides from the museums, it will be 7 euros per person. If we use this app, we will pay $4.99 and share the audio tour using a splitter (2 of us). That is the reason we are considering this. Can anyone give a review of this if you have used it or any other audio tour apps from ItalyGuides?

Also, we have Rick Steve's audio tour for the Sistine Chapel.

I did the audio tour. It was OK, but nothing special. I found it confusing for half way through my visit, then I figured it out and backtracked to hear more of it in the correct location. It has a lot of information points throughout the museum. Too many to listen to them all for me.

I would think that Rick's tour would have been good enough.

I would not pay for it again, but its not that big of an investment.

we have only ever used the rick steves tours on our phone/ipod. in many cities across europe.. we have found them excellent!!! the reason is 1. they are free, 2. they are long enough to explain enough of what you are looking at. this is particularly important IMO as when you are in the 'heat' of looking around with often lots of tourists to deal with , you really often don't have hours to spend listening to every last detail about a particular item. we were lucky to get a seat in the sistine chapel, nothing could have prepared us for the crowds in the chapel and museum. it was more like a yearly sale at a major shopping center. wall to wall people pushing and not really having time to look around.

with any of the audio guides we find it best to generally 'cling to the walls' and stop and listen to the guide as appropriate, rather than stand out in the middle looking around , like a 'real tourist' waiting to get knocked over by the passing crowd. so head for the side wall in the sistine where there are seats, so you take your time to enjoy it.

hope this helps.

I am just one of many here on this forum who have experienced and praised Walks of Italy's "Pristine Sistine"Tour, which is an early morning tour that gets you into the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel before the crowds, then goes directly into St. Peter's. Especially you are in the Sistine Chapel with very few people, you can sit on the few benches, you can see the floor, you can hear yourself think as you appreciate the beauty of the room and art. Yes, it costs more, and yes, you have to get up very early (the group gathers at about 7:20 am and enters at 8:00 am, but it is a much more enjoyable experience, includes a fine guide (a trained person), and you are finished at about noon, to then experience the rest of the day in other locations. I know that other companies also offer a similar early morning Vatican tour.

Thank you all for replying. We are already planning to listen to Rick Steve's audio tour while we are there but from what I know, he does not cover the Vatican Museums. His podcast is only for the Sistine Chapel unless I am missing something. We were considering this ItalyGuides audio tour just for the purpose of getting some meaning out of the attractions in the Vatican museums. Do they have any information written down on boards throughout the museums? Or do they give a map with some information about main attractions? If so, we might just read and satisfy ourselves.

We're big fans of guidebooks many museums offer at entry-point bookshops. That way we can read what we want to along the way, and they've been terrific coffee-table references once we're home. I've re-read ours countless times! Take a few minutes to browse what the Vatican's has to offer? You don't have to get a huge, hard-cover volume; a smaller softcover version which covers the highlights should be enough unless you're a serious art/history buff.

for what its worth, we looked at the section where all the 'transport' items were,eg: cars, carriages etc, it was downstairs. there was no one else there and very interesting. it wasn't till we came upstairs to the rest of the museum that we got caught up in the crowds. we were there in may , bought our tickets on line, so no waiting in line. and we were there as early as we could. we did not know about the early tour, very interesting.

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