The guides that helped us enter were awesome! They are not kidding about the steps, 500+ if you skip the elevator, which we did, if not you will wait in line another 30+ min. The Basilca and the Dome are just amazing, words do the Basilica no justice for sure, it’s breathtaking. Glad we went early and avoided larger crowds. Keep in mind that this tour does NOT include skip line, which means we still waited for security check point for about an hour. By the time we made it through security line was 2 hours long at least.

Guide was excellent at keeping herself visible and getting us all together in the crowds of St Peters after the wait at security. Only knocked off 1 star due to slightly chaotic check in at the start - everyone just needs a bit more information about where to stand, which group is which etc, as when no one knows what’s going on, people start pushing in or interrupting which slows it all down (no fun in the pouring rain!) This also happened with another provider so it’s not a big issue, but another did it much more efficiently which showed how it can be done. Minor quibble though, she was great at getting us herded and informed once we got going.

Itook us a while to find the meeting place, (after asking a few people) it could have been made more noticeable. But once we found the right place it all went smoothly. Taking a lift up the first 200? steps a great saving on the legs, the remaining 300+ steps were steep and winding but a bit of fun with places to stop and gather our breath, but getting to the top was well worth the effort as the views were exhilarating, breathtaking a memory that will always remain with me. Stopping back at the 200 level and more great views it was wonderful to have some refreshments and some more great viewing areas. Getting back down was a lot easier.