Join a passionate art historian guide to cruise past the long ticket lines and straight into the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on this guided tour in Rome.

Meet your expert guide at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, where you'll enjoy effortless entry to the world's most breathtaking collection of art. With insider knowledge, your guide will navigate the vast 1,200 galleries with ease, highlighting must-see attractions like the Rooms of Raphael, the ancient treasures in the Belvedere Courtyard, and the stunning Gallery of Maps. The grand prize, of course, is the iconic Sistine Chapel - and you'll get there in style! As you wander through the former papal residences, your guide will reveal the secrets of Ancient Greek and Roman masterpieces that inspired the Renaissance masters. You'll uncover the fascinating stories behind the artworks, and how they laid the foundation for the artistic genius of Italy. The Sistine Chapel takes center stage on this tour, from its inception to Michelangelo's magnificent finishing touches. You'll delve into the turbulent life of this artistic genius, who considered himself a sculptor, not a painter, yet devoted years of his life to painting breathtaking frescoes on a 44-foot high ceiling. Separating fact from fiction, your guide will regale you with tales of the artist's trials and tribulations, debunking myths and Hollywood folklore surrounding this epic work of art. After marveling at the world's most famous ceiling, you'll have the option to bypass the lines at St. Peter's Basilica or explore the remaining 1,400 galleries at your leisure. The choice is yours!