The Papal Experience with Vatican Gardens and Castel Gandolfo Villa Barberini
Rome, Italy
Rating: 
Trip Type: Historical & Heritage Tours
Duration: 10 hours
The Vatican is not only the world’s smallest country, it’s also one of the least accessible to visitors - until now. Under Pope Francis I, the Vatican has opened up a number of sights not usually open to visitors, including the Villa Barberini grounds and Apostolic palace. On this new, Papal Experience Tour, you go beyond the normal tourist route for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience those parts of the Vatican that few have ever seen. This tour is perfect for those with an interest in the Vatican; be it religious, historic, artistic or archaeological.
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The Vatican is not only the world’s smallest country, it’s also one of the least accessible to visitors - until now. Under Pope Francis I, the Vatican has opened up a number of sights not usually open to visitors, including the Villa Barberini grounds and Apostolic palace. On this new, Papal Experience Tour, you go beyond the normal tourist route for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience those parts of the Vatican that few have ever seen. This tour is perfect for those with an interest in the Vatican; be it religious, historic, artistic or archaeological.This full-day tour takes you on an unprecedented, insider’s discovery of parts of Vatican territory only recently opened to the public. Get the full Papal experience on this official Vatican tour, taking you to the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Gardens and the Villa Barberini, part of the Pope’s summer palace, by way of the Vatican’s own train! This service is provided by the Vatican with the added bonus of our tour leader to make sure your journey is as smooth as possible and that you don’t get lost along the way!
Your day starts at the Vatican Museums 1 hour before they open to the public. Skipping the lines here, you’ll get straight inside for a 2-hour, audio-guided tour. Your tour leader will accompany you along the way to make sure you don’t get lost and make sure you see all the highlights of the museums.
Then it’s outside to the private Vatican Gardens, which are only visitable on an official Vatican tour (like the one you’re on). These are the beautiful gardens that popes have been coming to for quiet contemplation since 1279 and once you see them you’ll understand why. You’ll stroll through the Vatican gardens, passing manicured lawns and seeing exotic flowers and plants gifted to the Pope by visiting nations, while catching glimpses of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican City beyond.
Your destination is the official (and newly-restored) train from the Vatican City. Usually reserved for Popes, the Swiss Guard, and Vatican citizens, this exclusive train will whisk you off to the town that houses the Pope’s summer palace: Castel Gandolfo. Located between lake and mountains, it’s a stunning retreat from the chaos of Rome - a fitting location for contemplation.
A short shuttle gets you to the Villa Barberini section of the papal retreat. Built on the ruins of Emperor Domitian’s 1st century palace, the grounds here, which Pope Francis has opened to the public for the very first time, are a marvel of landscaping and archaeology. Hundreds of years of Popes can’t be wrong - this is an amazing spot for some R&R.
After touring the gardens by an eco-friendly vehicle and audio guide and enjoying stunning views of the lake you’ll break for a two-hour lunch. It’s not included in the price of the itinerary but your guide will have plenty of great restaurant recommendations and you’ll even have time for a relaxing glass of wine.
Afterwards you’ll reconvene to enter the Apostolic Palace. As you spend an hour wandering the opulent corridors with an audio guide you’ll learn about the generations of Popes who have summered in this amazing residence and see some of the incredible costumes that their position has commanded. When your hours is finished your tour leader will pick you up and escort you back to Roma San Pietro Station on the train.
Your day starts at the Vatican Museums 1 hour before they open to the public. Skipping the lines here, you’ll get straight inside for a 2-hour, audio-guided tour. Your tour leader will accompany you along the way to make sure you don’t get lost and make sure you see all the highlights of the museums.
Then it’s outside to the private Vatican Gardens, which are only visitable on an official Vatican tour (like the one you’re on). These are the beautiful gardens that popes have been coming to for quiet contemplation since 1279 and once you see them you’ll understand why. You’ll stroll through the Vatican gardens, passing manicured lawns and seeing exotic flowers and plants gifted to the Pope by visiting nations, while catching glimpses of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican City beyond.
Your destination is the official (and newly-restored) train from the Vatican City. Usually reserved for Popes, the Swiss Guard, and Vatican citizens, this exclusive train will whisk you off to the town that houses the Pope’s summer palace: Castel Gandolfo. Located between lake and mountains, it’s a stunning retreat from the chaos of Rome - a fitting location for contemplation.
A short shuttle gets you to the Villa Barberini section of the papal retreat. Built on the ruins of Emperor Domitian’s 1st century palace, the grounds here, which Pope Francis has opened to the public for the very first time, are a marvel of landscaping and archaeology. Hundreds of years of Popes can’t be wrong - this is an amazing spot for some R&R.
After touring the gardens by an eco-friendly vehicle and audio guide and enjoying stunning views of the lake you’ll break for a two-hour lunch. It’s not included in the price of the itinerary but your guide will have plenty of great restaurant recommendations and you’ll even have time for a relaxing glass of wine.
Afterwards you’ll reconvene to enter the Apostolic Palace. As you spend an hour wandering the opulent corridors with an audio guide you’ll learn about the generations of Popes who have summered in this amazing residence and see some of the incredible costumes that their position has commanded. When your hours is finished your tour leader will pick you up and escort you back to Roma San Pietro Station on the train.
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