8 AM: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Guided Tour

Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century and enlarged by successive pontiffs, the Vatican Museums boast one of the world's greatest art collections. Exhibits, which are displayed along about 7km of halls and corridors, range from Egyptian mummies and Etruscan bronzes to ancient busts, old masters and modern paintings. Highlights include the spectacular collection of classical statuary in the Museo Pio-Clementino, a suite of rooms frescoed by Raphael, and the Michelangelo-painted Sistine Chapel.

Originally apartment of pope Julius II and now a major part of the Vatican Museums, Raphael Rooms exhibits the grand frescos of Raphael that marks high renaissance in Rome.

Home to two of the world’s most famous works of art – Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes and his Giudizio Universale (Last Judgment) – the Sistine Chapel is the one part of the Vatican Museums that everyone wants to see, and on a busy day you could find yourself sharing it with up to 2000 people. Michelangelo's ceiling design, which is best viewed from the chapel’s main entrance in the far east wall, covers the entire 800-sq-m surface.

The last part of this tour, a complete guided visit of the biggest church in the world; St. peter's Cathedral.