Cooking Class and Lunch inside the Pope’s Organic Farm with Visit of the Apostolic Palace and Gardens, plus Exclusive Entrance to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums | Private

A day like no other, following in the footsteps of the papacy. This day begins at the Vatican Museums at 7:30am. As part of this tour, you are granted super early access to the Sistine Chapel, literally before anyone else, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent art of Michelangelo and Raphael in peace, with the inspiring knowledge of your local guide.

Then be transported to the Roman countryside, the Alban Hills, specifically the charming hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo with its spectacular views of the volcanic lake Albano. Reminiscent of Tuscany, the Roman hills are brimming with rustic beauty. Emperor Domitian built his summer palace and subsequently the Papal State decided to purchase a palace for the pope’s official summer residence.

With an audioguide, you will explore the palace, including the papal apartments and the celebrated Barberini Gardens, one of the finest examples of landscaped sculptured gardens in Italy. A golf cart or minivan will be arranged for you to get around the estate and bring you to the most exciting part of the day, a cooking class in the Pope’s farm.

The “Fattoria delle Ville Pontificie” covers 55 hectares and features stables, hen houses, orchards, gardens, citrus groves, a vineyard, spices garden, an olive grove and a dairy At our cooking school in the estate, our chef will welcome you with antipasti and prosecco. Fresh pasta and dessert are on the menu, and the Chef is specialized in teaching you how to master both. Lunch will be served with the food you have prepared and local wines.

To wind down this exceptional day, you will have time to shop in the local town or perhaps rest in a cafe in the piazza and enjoy a final gelato before being transported back in Rome.