Skip The Line: Vatican Private Tour With Sistine Chapel

Elisa was an outstanding guide with her incredible in-depth knowledge and wonderful enthusiasm. It was a joy to spend time in her company and learn from her. I must say every aspect of the tour was highly professional and well organized. Indeed, Elisa exceeded all our expectations. We will most definitely be booking another Roma Experience tour for our next visit. We’ve already recommended to friends and family.

Elisa is beyond phenomenal. I’ve had the pleasure of touring the Vatican and Roman Forum with her twice (once in 2017 and again this fall). On each tour, I’ve looked around to other people near me, wearing head sets and walking in groups, and have whispered to my husband, “We are having the absolute best experience here.” The depth of Elisa’s tours and her incredible knowledge are simply unparalleled. Touring the Roman Forum with Elisa – a place she used to work!!! – is, hands-down, the best tour experience I’ve had anywhere in the world. The care she puts into her work is evident—she is passionate about what she does, and wants to share her passion for these remarkable places with you. And be sure to ask her for restaurant recommendations! She pointed us in the direction of the best meals we enjoyed in Italy—and not just in Rome! She gave us recommendations for Venice and Florence, too. AND she coordinated a last-minute, ultra-luxe, private wine tour in Chianti for my group, led by one of her brilliant tour guides (Martina). My traveling companions and I will remember these experiences forever. Do yourself a favor and book literally anything with Elisa. It’ll be the best thing you do in Italy.

We travelled to Rome in June of 2022 and were given Elisa’s contact information from a friend who said we should not see anything in Italy without speaking with her first. Elisa’s knowledge is extensive and unparalleled. Her presentation style is engaging, and her access is unprecedented. Not only did we get behind the ropes at The Vatican, but she also arranged other tours at incredible venues that no one else was able to. We learned that Elisa’s contacts, allow her access to unique and exclusive experiences that thankfully she is happy to share. However, access is only part of the story here. It is Elisa’s extraordinary breadth of knowledge and presentation style allowed us to learn something new and important at every turn. As a family who is lucky enough to travel and utilize great tour guide, Elisa stands apart. In addition to the above she is warm, funny, kind, and was able to keep all 7 of us (Ages from 20-60) engaged. Like our friend said originally: “Don’t do anything without speaking in Italy without speaking to Elisa first.”

My guide, Elisa, was outstanding. She knows her ‘stuff’. Her background in archaeology and academia is excellent and allows her to answer questions quickly (and I had lots of them). I like the way she paced the tour to my needs. Also, her presentation skills were multi-faceted (I especially liked seeing a explanatory video or picture on her iPad. I will be back to Rome next Spring and Elisa is the only guide I will use.

Here is the short version: I feel sorry for anyone that does not choose to book a tour with Roma Experience Tours. You are missing something great. Here is the long version: Why are you reading this? The short version should be all you need! But seriously, the tours offered by Roma Experience are the only tours you will ever need. My guide (Elisa) was so passionate about her job and so knowledgeable about everything that the tour was a completely satisfying experience. It was about 6 hours but I was enjoying myself so much I would have taken another 6. I tried asking her about a few random objects out of the thousands housed in the Vatican museums and she could tell me something about each. She was also great at pointing out little known facts and secrets, as well as highlighting the most important pieces of the tour - which helps if you want to speed up the tour at all too, the tour can be flexible and doesn't sound quite as scripted as other tours I've seen. During the tour I contemplated staying some extra time in Rome just to be able to do more of the tours they offer, but I figured I will just have to come back another time because they offer so many. P.s. This is on top of the fact that I didn't realize it was Easter week and that the Vatican would be completely packed with people - and even though I asked about a tour less than a day in advance, she made it happen! I legitimately felt like a VIP by the time we were done.