Would you spend $500.00
Jun 17, 2019 09:34:38 #
Considering I can find photos of the Sistine Chapel on line, there have to be a lot of other perks to draw me to paying $500 to take that tour. In fact, dragging along with a tour guide for a point and look tour would not be on my list of things to do regardless of the price.
--Bob
--Bob
nikonbug wrote:
Hello all, br br My theoretical question to you i... (show quote)
Jun 17, 2019 09:38:23 #
davesit
Loc: Lansing, New York
We used toursbylocals.com last year and had a great local guide (PhD in History) walk us through the Vatican during regular hours. No line and we got into a restricted area featured a Bernini spiral staircase. But no photos in the Sistine Chapel. We enjoyed the tour very much and paid about $275 for it, a private tour just for the two of us.
If you are talking about $500 per person. It's really a matter of what your financial situation is. I know folks who are happy to spend $1000 for dinner for two on a regular basis. If you could afford it, it sounds like a good opportunity not just because you get to take pictures of the Sistine Chapel, but also without the big crowd floods the Vatican.
According to the Vatican, they don't allow photos in the Sistine Chapel because NHK (Japan Public TV) paid for the renovation years ago and retained the image rights to the chapel. My guide told us that the rights have expired. I guess the Vatican is getting a nice cut for the kind of the tours you are talking about. :)
If you are talking about $500 per person. It's really a matter of what your financial situation is. I know folks who are happy to spend $1000 for dinner for two on a regular basis. If you could afford it, it sounds like a good opportunity not just because you get to take pictures of the Sistine Chapel, but also without the big crowd floods the Vatican.
According to the Vatican, they don't allow photos in the Sistine Chapel because NHK (Japan Public TV) paid for the renovation years ago and retained the image rights to the chapel. My guide told us that the rights have expired. I guess the Vatican is getting a nice cut for the kind of the tours you are talking about. :)
Jun 17, 2019 10:03:57 #
volnqlt
Loc: Chandler, AZ
Yes. If you can afford it you will not be sorry.
I was there last month and even with a 7:30 AM early entrance the masses had entered midway through our 4 1/2 hour tour restricting some photo opportunities. The earlier you can get in the better.
We were prevented from taking pictures in the Sistine Chapel even though most of the copyrights have expired so nice to hear your earlier tour allows it.
As a FYI, most tour guides in Europe obtain a college degree in tourism in order to conduct these tours. Their knowledge and expertise make the tours extraordinary.
I was there last month and even with a 7:30 AM early entrance the masses had entered midway through our 4 1/2 hour tour restricting some photo opportunities. The earlier you can get in the better.
We were prevented from taking pictures in the Sistine Chapel even though most of the copyrights have expired so nice to hear your earlier tour allows it.
As a FYI, most tour guides in Europe obtain a college degree in tourism in order to conduct these tours. Their knowledge and expertise make the tours extraordinary.
Jun 17, 2019 10:22:44 #
nikonbug wrote:
Hello all, br br My theoretical question to you i... (show quote)
You are not going to get any photos of the Sistine Chapel that folks haven't seen a thousand time before. Better to avoid the distraction of a camera and take it in with your soul. If you are looking up, you won't see the crowd. Keep the $500 for another trip to Rome.
It is worth the money for one of the 'skip-the-line' admissions. They come in multiple offerings and price points. Check https://www.viator.com/Rome/d511-ttd?aid=vid611
Look for one that offers the short cut from the Sistine Chapel into the Basilica. Even better, look for one that offers skip-the-line access to St Peter's and the roof and Cupola. You can get great shots of St Peters square and the city beyond from the roof. The climb up to the Cupola between the the two skins of the dome is really something to remember.
Jun 17, 2019 10:57:50 #
Nope. Robbery. Reminds me of the story when Jesus turned over tables at the temple. Turning the house of God into a den of thieves.
Jun 17, 2019 12:36:45 #
dyximan wrote:
A Once in lifetime Experience Priceless? Yes/ no
I suppose if it's that important to you.
(Cost-to-Benefit ratio?)
(If I had a bazillion dollars, probably, but it's not on my top 100 things to see in the world.)
Jun 17, 2019 14:32:15 #
Jun 17, 2019 15:09:18 #
Hey, Nikonbug, if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, how could you not do it???
Jun 17, 2019 15:21:49 #
I will just add that of everything I saw in Rome and the rest of Italy (we were there for two weeks), Saint Peters and the Sistine Chapel were the most memorable and impressive.
Jun 17, 2019 22:44:30 #
Jun 18, 2019 06:59:12 #
A ticket for entry to the museums and Sistine chapel is €24 with audio guide so I think I’d go off-season (which we have done) and save enough to eat in a Michelin-rated restaurant while you’re there. In season, I’d skip it and use the hop-on/hop-off bus to do some serious touristy sight seeing (which we have also done). By the way, my best memory of our visit was climbing to the top of St Peter’s Basilica dome - at 6’2” the top stairs were a challenge but I was much younger at the time. As a non-believer, I’m not that inspired by the chapel but I do admire the effort required to actually do the painting. By the way, you will be seeing a restored version, not the original.
Jun 18, 2019 07:20:11 #
Country Boy wrote:
Being of the Baptist faith I have little interest and would hold off for the History Channel version. However, I can see why many would like to take the private tour. They do know how to get into your pocket, $10,000 for doing a private walk through is quite a profit!
It a shame your belief has stopped you from seeing and enjoying a world historical site.
Jun 18, 2019 07:43:34 #
Jun 18, 2019 07:45:36 #
dyximan wrote:
A Once in lifetime Experience Priceless? Yes/ no
Depends. I skipped the helicopter ride in Hawaii do to price. Sometimes I regret it.
Our tour of the Vatican was very good. We had a great guide. Seemed like we had lots of time and got questions answered. I snuck a picture of the Chapel with my iPhone. The room was jammed and a lot smaller then I expected.
Jun 18, 2019 07:59:37 #
nikonbug wrote:
Hello all, br br My theoretical question to you i... (show quote)
Same with the other 101 busses on tours. Believe Europe is suffering from Over Tourism. Swarms of them everywhere. I've got friends there currently.
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