This often-overlooked section of the Vatican Museums is also one of the most rewarding. The paintings here are arranged chronologically from the 12th to the 19th century, and provides a perfect primer to the greatest painters across the ages. You'll begin in the Middle Ages learning about the founding elements of the Renaissance with such masterpieces by Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, and the famed Stefaneschi Triptych by Giotto. We'll move on to the early Renaissance and look at Beato (Fra) Angelico's paintings of the Madonna and Merlozzo da Forli's lovely Angels playing musical instruments series. We'll explore the most influential artists of their periods, the greatest works of the "superstars" of the high Renaissance and beyond: Perugino's Madonna, Raphael's Transfiguration and his recently restored tapestry series, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio, Bernini and more... This is a must-see for lovers of fine art—the paintings here represent one of the world's greatest treasure troves and the visit is sure to enrich your tour immensely.

This upgrade rounds out your discovery of the world's greatest antiquity collection. Why see only a fraction of such an important collection when you can deepen your understanding with this easily accessible extension? Your trip to the Braccio Nuovo, opened in 1822, highlights some of the renowned, more recently discovered Roman statues and Roman copies of Greek originals. The revered Augustus Prima Porta is the most remarkable of these (recently a theoretical color version has been added to compliment it). This sculptural tour-de-force is complimented by the following masterpieces: a Hellenistic Nile River God sculpture, a Roman copy of the Doryphorus (spear-bearer) from the 4th century BC Greek sculptor Polykleitos, and two lovely gilded bronze peacocks most probably from Hadrian’s Mausoleum. You'll then explore the Egyptian Museum complete with its extremely well-preserved Thebian Mummy (you can still see her hair and toe-nails!), scrolls and scarabs from the Amarna period, and a reconstruction of the Serapeum at Hadrian's Villa.

With this upgrade, your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to your tour's starting point. Please provide your hotel details upon booking your tour. Depending on the distance, you’ll walk, use public transportation or take a taxi. Start your tour off feeling tranquil!

If you would prefer a different meeting point, such as at a train station, please indicate your preference in the Notes and Special Requests field of the booking form when purchasing your tours or send an email with your request to info@walksofitaly.com.

Note: The customized meeting point site must be located within or just outside the Aurelian walls (see orange section of map). The public transport or taxi fees are not included in the 25 euro and must be paid by guests on the day of the tour. If hotel details are provided in your booking but no customized meeting point requests are sent, Walks of Italy will assume that your hotel is the desired meeting point. If no hotel details are provided and no customized meeting point requests are sent, your tour will begin from the regular tour meeting point.