Vatican Tour and Cooking Class on the Papal Estate

About

Combine earliest access to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel with an unforgettable day trip to the Pope’s summer residence in the Roman hills. This utterly unique tour indulges you on every front, immersing you in the very best of the Vatican’s artistic and culinary culture.

Walking straight inside the Vatican at 7:30 am, before the crowds descend, you’ll be able to enjoy the Vatican’s vast collection in peace and quiet, without the crowds. You’ll stand inside Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel, and the world’s most famous basilica, Saint Peter’s, all with the expert insight of a licensed guide.

Then we venture into the Roman hills to explore the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Perched atop a cerulean lake, the Apostolic Palace has since been converted into a museum. But the original papal apartments remain unchanged, and you will get to explore these in the intimacy of a small group and with an expert local guide.

We’ll then make our way to the papal farmhouse, where you’ll enjoy a hands-on cooking class recreating recipes unique to the estate. After some hands-on cooking and divine dining, we’ll drive you through the beautiful landscaped Boboli Gardens to soak up the unique atmosphere. The day finishes with some free time in Castel Gandolfo before we transport you back to Rome.

Menu

• Prosecco and antipasti snacks reception
• Organic ravioli pasta and cannoli using ingredients from the papal estate
• Specially selected wines, beers and soft drinks

Schedule

• 07:10 am: Meet outside the Vatican Museums
• 07:30 am: Tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica
• 10:30 am: Transfer to Castel Gandolfo (45 min)
• 11:15 am: Tour of the Apostolic Palace and Papal Apartments
• 1:00 pm: Arrival to the Papal Estate
• 1:30 pm: Start cooking class
• 3:00 pm: Lunch on the Papal Estate 
• 3:30 pm: Tour of the Barberini Gardens
• 4:30 pm: Free time in Castel Gandolfo’s historic center
• 5:00 pm: End of the experience - return transfer to Rome (Piazza Venezia)