Take a stirring journey through art and religious history with skip-the-ticket-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Avoid the long ticket lines and then enjoy your visit at your own pace.  Wander through the Greek Cross Gallery to see elaborately-carved sarcophagi that might just contain the earthly remains of some of antiquity's famous kings and queens. Peek at the Cabinet of the Masks, or tour the Sala degli Animali to see a virtual menagerie of fantastic beasts, real and imagined. Walk the Upper Galleries, including the Gallery of Maps, to see how cartographers depicted the world through the ages. See masterpieces by Renaissance masters in the Raphael Rooms, and rest for a while in the Borgia Apartments. Then, it’s time to marvel at Michelangelo’s exquisite Sistine Chapel, the crown jewel of the Vatican, and perhaps even of all the world’s art treasures.

Explore the Papal Palace at your own pace with a multilingual audio guide. Admire the architecture, learn its history, and discover its many collections of art, relics, and more. Extend your visit with a minibus tour of the Barberini Gardens and admire the intricate displays. Once you arrive at the Castle doors, pick up your audio guide and begin your walk through the palace. Gaze at the many treasures, from uniforms and relics to artworks and furniture. Learn the interesting history of the Pontifical Residence, commonly known as the Second Vatican. Designed by the Swiss-Italian architect Carlo Maderno for Pope Urban VIII, and it has served as a summer retreat for various popes since the 17th century. Don't forget to pay your respects to the sedan chair of Pope Pius IX, and the BMW used by Pope John Paul II, before taking the option to visit the Barberini Gardens on a 45-minute minibus tour. The gardens offer views of intricately designed shrubbery and unique fountains, the perfect finisher to the palace experience.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city to the tranquil Castel Gandolfo where you can follow in the pope’s footsteps. Start off at the Apostolic Palace, pick up your complimentary audio guide, and get ready for a sneak peek into the lives of the popes at their traditional vacation retreat.  Experience the intricate work of the clergy up close as you pass by historical papal gowns and the pope’s portable throne. Explore the pope’s private apartment and enjoy sweeping panoramic views from his hill-top home. Next, visit the Barberini Gardens. Explore the luxurious gardens from the comfort of an air-conditioned minibus. Uncover the history of this unique site with a complimentary audio guide, available in a multitude of languages. Enhance your experience by selecting the full-day option and enjoy a guided tour.

Spend the day exploring the vast collections of the Vatican City with a full-day experience ticket to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Vatican Garden. Then head to Pontifical Residence in Castel Gandolfo with a round trip from Vatican train station. Skip the long line to Vatican Museums with a special entrance at 8:00 am, Visit the Museums with help of an audio guide. The staff of the Vatican Museums will be on hand to provide information on how to maximize your tour, whether you want to see the private rooms painted by Raphael, the work of ancient cartographers in the “Galley of Maps” or exquisite tapestries by some of Raphael’s students in the “Gallery of Tapestries.” Prepare to be awed by Michelangelo’s frescoes as you enter the Sistine Chapel. Then, take a walk through the lush Vatican Gardens with an audio guide. Take a special electric train to transfer to the Pontifical Villas at the Castel Gandolfo. Explore the residence with an audio guide and discover priceless works of art and botanical treasures in the Barberini Gardens. Known as the “Second Vatican,” the Pontifical Residence was designed by the Swiss-Italian architect Carlo maderno for Pope Urban VIII, and has served as a summer retreat for various popes since the 17th century. 8.00 am: skip-the-line entry and visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with dedicated audio guide; 10.00 am: transfer on foot through the Vatican Gardens with dedicated audio guide; 11.00 am: departure from the vatican city railway station by electric train to Albano Laziale and transfer to the Pontifical Villas by dedicated shuttle;12.30: visit by ecological vehicle on rubber of the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas with dedicated audio guide;1.30 pm: end of the visit and exit from the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas. free time 4.30 pm: meeting at the entrance of Villa cybo (Via Massimo D'Azeglio); 4.30 pm and 4.45 pm: transfer with dedicated shuttle to the Castel Gandolfo railway station; 17:24: departure of the train from the Castel Gandolfo railway station; 18:20: arrival at the Roma San Pietro railway station