Vatican & The Mask Room

This private experience reveals the Vatican with the expertise of a guide dedicated solely to you, ensuring context and detail often lost in standard visits. The journey begins in the Vatican Museums, where centuries of art connect classical antiquity, papal patronage, and Renaissance brilliance. Highlights include the Raphael Rooms, with frescoes such as the School of Athens. A special inclusion is the Mask Room, rarely part of regular paths: its floor mosaic from Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli shows theatrical masks among mythological and pastoral figures in a refined, intimate setting. The path then leads into the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s ceiling and Last Judgment can be appreciated without haste, every detail amplified by insight tailored to your curiosity. The experience concludes in St. Peter’s Basilica, under the dome designed by Michelangelo and before the Pietà, where architecture, sculpture, and devotion converge in one of the most extraordinary spaces in the world.

You’ll explore the Vatican without the stress that usually surrounds the visit. Tickets are notoriously hard to secure, crowds are constant, and most visits feel rushed. Here, you’re welcomed with a completely private arrangement: picked up from your hotel and seated in a Vatican bistro for breakfast. As you explore the iconic Vatican highlights, you’ll pass through sculpture galleries and courtyards, encountering masterpieces that shaped Renaissance ideals. A special addition is the Cabinet of Masks — a hidden space, generally restricted, that requires special access to visit. In addition to floor mosaics from Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli, it showcases theatrical motifs, mythological scenes and classical sculptures. Your host helps you read the narrative and symbolism embedded in each space — philosophical, architectural, devotional — combining academic knowledge with a talent for storytelling tailored to your curiosity. It’s a personally guided immersion shaped entirely around you.

Martin Mendoza leads a team of expert guides, archaeologists, historians, and technical experts who share his vision and thoughtful approach to travel. For this private guided tour of the Vatican with rare-access to special rooms, Martin will assign a dedicated Vatican certified guide to you, who has deep expertise in art history and the Vatican’s hidden treasures. ** St. Peter’s Basilica may close unexpectedly during the 2025 Jubilee year. If so, your guide will adjust plans on the spot, ensuring the experience remains memorable, full-length, and rich with meaningful additional highlights.

Shoulders and knees covered; smart-casual (no ripped jeans). Closed, comfortable shoes; hats off indoors. Expect spot checks inside. A passport / government-issued ID is essential for entry into the Vatican. Camera or phone - there will be opportunities for great photos including in the special access area - but no flash throughout, and no photos in the Sistine Chapel - ours is a stock photo. Leave behind large bags, backpacks, umbrellas, tripods/selfie sticks, and food/drinks.