There are many reasons why tourists love to visit the Vatican. Some want to experience the history and connect with religion. Others want to explore the art and architecture present in the Museums. No matter what your reason for visiting the Vatican is, you need to decide whether you are going to enjoy exploring the place on your own or whether you want to book a guided tour.
Many people think that a self-guided tour is the best way to go. You can save money and control what you see in the Vatican. But, you also have to weigh this up with the downsides. If you are not sure what they are, we are going to discuss them in detail. So, let’s take a look at the downsides of a self-guided tour in Rome.
You Have to Be Good at Time Management
When you are going to be touring the Vatican on your own, you have to be good at time management. This is because it is a very popular spot for tourists. If you do not get there early in the morning, you can expect to wait in long queues. This can take hours long to get into the Museums. Even when you are in there, it can be busy with people. You have to be able to navigate your way through the crowds, and you can miss popular artifacts because it is so crowded.
Therefore, only arrange a self-guided tour if you are able to manage your time well. This means planning your trip in advance and having your day set out. In particular, you need to arrange to get to the Vatican early for the opening.Â
If you are someone that struggles to get up in the morning or does not want to be rushing about, a self-guided tour is going to seem more like a punishment than something enjoyable. Instead, you will benefit from having a guided tour. For example, What A Life Tours know the best tours of the Vatican for tourists and offers them to anyone wanting to experience the Museums for themselves.
You Have to Do Extensive Research
There is so much to see when it comes to the Vatican. We are talking about there being over 70,000 works in the Museums. It is fair to say that you cannot possibly see everything during your trip. Indeed, you are not going to be interested in all of the work there. So, for a self-guided tour, you are going to have to do some research and planning before you go. This means taking a look at what is in the Museums and figuring out the best things to see during your visit.
Thus, there is some preparation work you will have to do before you go on vacation. You are going to have to do research to find the best spots in the Vatican and the parts you want to see. This can seem like a lot of work for a trip that is supposed to be enjoyable. Again, a guided tour means that this is all done for you, and you do not have to worry about all of the scheduling.
You Can Miss Out on Stories
Do you know a lot about the Vatican and the artwork and artifacts that are present in the Museums? The answer to this question is probably no. Indeed, this is one of the reasons you are visiting. You want to learn more about the history here, as well as listen to the stories from over the years.
Unfortunately, this is something that you can miss out on when you are touring the Vatican on your own. You have to decide if you want to learn before you visit in order to get the most out of your trip. Many people think that this is like homework and it takes the fun out of the attraction. Instead, it can be easier to learn when you get there. But, this is not always possible without a guide.
If you want to make the most of your trip to the Vatican Museums, it is recommended that you book a tour. This way, the guide is going to share interesting stories when you are seeing the best parts. You can really understand the artifacts here and what when on throughout the years. Whether you are interested in Catholicism or want to learn more about Michelangelo and his work, this is what you can enjoy on a guided tour.
