Hi All,
Does anyone know whether the Simply Italy tour goes to the Vatican? My travel agent says we go to the Basillica museum...is this the Vatican? and does it include the whole museum with the Sistine Chapel etc? Any help would be appreciated!!! Thanks!

From what I can tell the tours does not go to the Vatican. Generally, you need to pay really close attention to wording. If it says "a chance to see" it probably means you're driving past it.

I'm booked for Sept 12 depart, and I've heard no mention of it being included, and it's not an optional tour.

The bascillica is seperate from the chapel. The chapel is part of the museums, which are about half a mile walk (so I've heard) from the courtyard and the bascillica is right by the court yard.

Hope this helps

Hi,
I checked with my travel agent and they said if you want a tour of the vatican, then you have to pay under the "optional extras tour".
So best to book in advanced because I have heard the lines can be really long for the vatican.

Yeah, I booked a tour directly from the Vatican after doing a bit of research it seems liek the fastest way to get in.

From previous tours, it sounds like it used to be an optional highlight, but I think they took it out. It certainly isn't offered on my tour.

I went to www.vatican.va to book my tour directly with them

I eventually found out - it is NOT included! So i have booked (on the same website as above). I booked for the day before the last day (ie the 11th day as this day of the tour has an afternoon free!) You have to book a time, so i booked 2pm as then I have the rest of the afternoon to be at the Vatican!
Hope that helps everyone! My travel agent took forever to find out about it!

Kristy, I've done alot of reserach surrounding the vatican. Booking the ticket online only lets you skip the first line, which is general admission ticket line. You'll still be waiting in the second line (entrance line) to get into the actual museums. Might want to allow some more time, not sure how quickly that line moves. Although, I read in a travelogue that cutting in line is very common....

hey guys, the tour of the Vatican museums is not included in this tour. I went on this tour last year in May and it was awesome. On our free day in Rome, me and a few of the group members purchased entrance to the museum at a little cafe by the museum entrance. You will see a few people walking around trying to sell tickets to the tourists. If I remember correctly, it cost about 30-40 euros per person, which allowed us to cut the line, and we were led by a tour guide. We were also each given a headset so we could hear her properly. It was actually a great tour. I hope that helps! Enjoy your time in la bella Italia!!