Global tour operator City Wonders Ltd. is announcing the renewal of its exclusive partnership with the Vatican Museums.
The partnership is set to last through 2018 and ensures City Wonders’ position as one of only three Official Vatican Museums Tour Operator Partners, offering guests VIP access and benefits to the culturally and religiously significant venue.
The continued partnership was recently celebrated at the unveiling of a new LED lighting system inside the “Raphael Rooms” provided by City Wonders. This famous series contains decorated chambers with frescoes painted by Renaissance master Raphael between 1511 and 1514, including “The School of Athens.” With the new lighting system, the museum can now protect the rooms from decay and use 70 percent less energy.
City Wonders customers can receive exclusive opportunities through this partnership, including entering the museums 30 minutes before other tour groups and an hour and a half before the general public. City Wonders CEO Simone Gozzi, in a written release, said that this is a “huge benefit” in terms of getting to see highly trafficked areas of the museum, such as the Sistine Chapel, which are usually packed with crowds.
There are other exclusive benefits put in place for City Wonders customers, including VIP access through the Official Vatican Museums Tour Operator Partner Entrance, offering guests an immediate entrance to the museum as opposed to regular guests who often wait three hours on line during peak periods; access to restricted areas that are normally closed to the general public, such as the original spiral Bramante Staircase and the Fra Angelico frescoes in the Niccoline Chapel; and other exclusive Vatican experiences, including having breakfast inside the Vatican or visiting its beautiful gardens.
In addition, City Wonders is also announcing a new exclusive Vatican Partnership tour for 2017. Through this tour, visitors have the chance to explore the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, which includes the coveted Private Apartments as well as a buffet luncheon with fresh organic produce and other food products grown in the Pope’s private farm. This is a six and a half hour guided tour with round trip transportation to and from Rome by a private coach bus.
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