Page 8 - Cork & Tee Sample Program Flipbook, 2018

explore the excavations of the lower two levels, which is a fascinating journey into the history of
Rome.

After lunch on your own, enjoy a small group tour of Palazzo Valentini, a recently-discovered
patrician villa nearly 2000 years old (we have secured tickets). The multimedia enhancements
make this quite a fascinating experience. See Appendix I.

Proposed Accommodations: Hotel Eden

Day 7: The Vatican. Today, you will have special access to the Vatican Museums (including
the Sistine Chapel) at 8:00 a.m., which is before opening hours (the museums including the
chapel open at 9:00 a.m.). At 7:30 a.m., meet your Rome guide at hotel reception. After
proceeding to the Vatican by taxi (cost of taxis not included), you will spend 3 hrs on a private
guided tour comprising the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, and magnificent St.
Peter’s Basilica.

Founded by Pope Julius II in the early sixteenth century and enlarged by successive pontiffs, the
museums are housed in what is
known collectively as the Palazzo
Apostolico Vaticano. This
massive, 13.5-acre complex
consists of two palaces—the
Vatican palace nearest St. Peter’s
and the Belvedere Palace—joined
by two long galleries. Inside are
three courtyards: the Cortile della
Pigna, the Cortile della Biblioteca
and, to the south, the Cortile del
Belvedere. Each gallery contains
priceless treasures, but for a
whistle-stop tour, we suggest the
Pinacoteca, the Museo Pio-
Clementino, Galleria delle Carte Geografiche, Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael Rooms) and the
Sistine Chapel. Some clients prefer simply to focus on the Raphael Rooms, which are stunning.
Your guide will tailor the visit accordingly, as one could spend several days in the museums
alone. Admission to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums is included. Please note: Due to
special events, pre-scheduled early access might need to shift.

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