Daily Mail Tests GetYourGuide’s Crowd-Beating Vatican Tour

A video report from the Daily Mail’s Jo Kessel documents her experience on the “Wake up the Vatican” tour offered by GetYourGuide. The tour is designed to provide visitors with early access to the Vatican Museums, allowing them to see the renowned collections before the venue opens to the general public and the large crowds arrive.

The primary appeal of the experience is the opportunity to bypass the “huge queues” and packed galleries typically associated with a visit to the popular Vatican City landmark.

### An Exclusive Morning Entry

The tour begins early in the morning, with participants being the very first group to arrive at the Vatican Museums for the day. Upon arrival, they are met by one of the Vatican’s key masters, who uses a large set of keys to unlock the institution’s main doors. Jo Kessel describes this part of the tour as feeling like “having the keys to the kingdom.”

Once inside, the group walks through the extensive corridors and galleries of the museums while they are still completely empty. This provides a rare and peaceful journey through spaces that are normally filled with thousands of visitors.

### The Sistine Chapel in Serenity

The main highlight of the “Wake up the Vatican” experience is being the first people of the day to enter the Sistine Chapel. This exclusive access allows for a quiet and personal viewing of Michelangelo’s famous ceiling frescoes.

Kessel calls it a “pinch-me moment,” emphasizing the ability to appreciate the artwork in a serene atmosphere without being jostled by crowds. A tour guide is present to provide commentary and explain the details of the historic art.

### Breakfast and Continued Exploration

Following the private viewing of the Sistine Chapel, the tour group is treated to a large buffet breakfast in one of the Vatican’s courtyards. After the meal, as the museums officially open to the public, tour participants are free to re-explore the collections at their own leisure.

In her conclusion, Kessel describes the GetYourGuide tour as an “unforgettable experience” and suggests it is the “only way to see the Vatican.”

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