How many people are included in semi private Vatican tours?
When you’re planning a tour around Vatican City, one of the best ways to ensure you get the most out of your trip is to opt for a professional guided tour. Not only will a guided tour give you an expert’s insight into the history of the city and its many famous sites, but it can also be a great way to meet other visitors, while also helping you stick to a timed schedule.
When it comes to your options, you can either choose a private tour, a semi private tour, or a group tour – but what do these terms mean, and which type of tour is best for you? In this blog, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about semi-private tours: how many people can be included, what the tours cover, and whether or not it’s worth it. Let’s take a look!
What is a Vatican guided tour?
A guided Vatican tour refers to hiring a professional tour guide to show you around the Vatican site; while the Vatican itself offers many different types of group tours, a Vatican private tour is often your best option; you’ll be able to explore the site in an intimate group, while also having access to much more flexible and competitive pricing.
How many people are included in semi private Vatican tours?
Semi-private tours are larger than private ones, yet still small enough for everyone to get to know each other; typically, a semi private tour will include between 8 to 10 people. This means you don’t have to worry about being drowned out in a crowd of hundreds or missing out on your guide’s explanations.
Benefits of a semi private tour
So, why opt for a semi private tour instead of a larger group one? While you might be put off by the possibility of an increased price, this type of tour offers the following benefits to your trip:
Intimacy
With a group smaller than 10, you’ll be able to enjoy the Vatican experience in a much more intimate setting; rather than having to shout over loud crowds or pester your tour guide for a question, you’ll be able to engage in a freeform discussion about the topics that interest you most. You can effectively think of your tour guide as simply the 11th member of your party; you’ll be able to go back and forth asking questions and discussing the sites as you travel through them together.
Special tour packages
Another benefit of a semi private Vatican tour is that you’ll have access to a range of special and VIP tours that the Vatican itself might not offer; this includes moonlight tours, VIP tours, skip-the-line tours and early morning access. Early morning access means you’ll get to explore the site before the floods of tourists arrive, while a moonlight or VIP tour will allow you access to parts of the Vatican not typically open to the general public. With a skip-the-line tour, you’ll be able to save on hours that would have been spent sweating in the long waiting line under the Italian sun – what’s not to love?
Have greater input
When you’re touring any site with a large group – whether it be the Vatican or the Colosseum – it’s difficult to be heard, and it’s even more difficult to influence the direction of the tour. With most large group tours, the tour guide will have been given a pre-planned itinerary that is almost always followed exactly to a T, leaving you with little-to-no sway when it comes to exploring your favourite parts of the Vatican. With a semi-private tour, you’ll be able to ask the tour guide to spend more time at your favourite sites, and ask as many in-depth questions as you like about the site’s history and story.
Is a private Vatican tour worth it?
Absolutely! Without a tour guide to show you the most interesting and historic parts of the site, a Vatican tour can feel a bit like being at Disneyland – too many people, and too much to see! With the help of a professional and expert tour guide, you’ll be able to enjoy exploring the Vatican on your own terms.
