Viva Italia-Climbing St Peter's Dome

[mapsd]

On day 3 during the Vatican tour, is there time to climb to the cupola?

If not, how difficult would it be to return after the group lunch?

 

[tufbuf]

There were one or two families who were able to climb the dome. They separated from the group right after we exited the Sistine Chapel and walked back to the hotel. I believe when we did that in 2008, we had lunch on our own so those who went up the dome separated from us. I have to check my photos but yes, there were families who were able to climb the dome.

 

[corky441]

We were just on this Trip in September.

Lunch is now included after the Vatican Tour and while the restaurant probably wasn't that far from Vatican City, I remember us doing a lot of twisting and turning on the bus ride to get to it.

After lunch the rest of your day is free. I would either check with the guides and get directions back to the Vatican after lunch or just stay and by-pass lunch with the group. Let me say this though - that lunch was one of my favorites and I would have hated missing it.