Skip the Line: Venice Walking Tour with St Mark's Basilica

Skip the line at St Mark's Basilica and explore St Mark's Square and lesser-known Venice on this 2-hour walking tour. Stroll around St Mark's Square as your guide explains its buildings and Venice's history as a major maritime power during medieval times. Bypass the queues at St Mark's Basilica to ogle its incredible interior, and delve into the quieter, less-visited side of Venice. Walk along small canals past palaces, squares and bridges; see where explorer Marco Polo once lived, and learn about daily life in the city past and present.

Skip the Line: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour

Leave the crowds behind and head straight inside the Colosseum with your skip-the-line entrance ticket! In a group of no more than 25 people, explore the first and second tiers of this A-list attraction with a guide, learning about the gladiators who competed in the Colosseum's gory gladiatorial games. Finish with a tour of the Roman Forum in Ancient Rome and admire incredible ruins, like the Temple of Julius Caesar.

If you want to see the Colosseum Underground Chambers, Arena and Upper Tier, then upgrade! - These areas that are either newly opened or normally off-limits.

Start your tour near Oppian Hill - one of the famous Seven Hills of Rome -- to enjoy panoramic views of the Colosseum, and then stroll down to it with your guide. As Rome's premier crowd-drawing site, the Colosseum regularly attracts long entrance lines. Skip them with your priority-access ticket and head straight inside for your small-group tour.

As you walk around the Colosseum's first and second tiers, your guide will keep you entertained with tales of gladiators, mock sea-battles and executions -- a fascinating insight into the amphitheater's gruesome past. Wander its circumference and learn what it must have been like when the crowds were roaring and the gladiator's fate was decided by an emperor on a whim.

After exploring the Colosseum, head outside and walk the short distance to the Roman Forum for an up-close look at some of Ancient Rome's most evocative ruins. See sites like the Temple of Julius Caesar and the intriguing House of the Vestal Virgins, before strolling up Palatine Hill to admire the views of the ruins below. Look down over Nero's Circus Maximus, where chariot races were once held, and then finish your tour on the Palatine Hill - the most famous of the Seven Hills of Rome.

Upgrade Options:If you want to explore the Colosseum, and enjoy access to the arena floor, the underground chambers and the third tier, then upgrade! These areas are either newly opened or normally off limits, so by upgrading you'll experience the Colosseum as few others do. The Upgrade option last 3.5hours.

Walk around the reconstructed arena floor, where the gladiators once fought, and peer down in to the underground chambers below. Then, head below ground to explore them yourself, seeing the pits where lions and tigers were once caged. Your Colosseum experience finishes with a stroll around the third tier where you can enjoy panoramic views into the Colosseum as well as out onto Palatine Hill. Your tour finishes with a visit to the Roman Forum as per the standard tour option.



Get a preview of the Skip the Line: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour with this Viator insider video.

Click here for:

• more information and to book this tour

Skip the Line: Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine Chapel, Raphael's Rooms and St Peter's

Visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica on this must-do Vatican walking tour, in a group of no more than 20 people! With some 12,000 rooms spanning nearly 4,000 years of history, the Vatican's magnificent museum complex can be overwhelming, so let an expert guide introduce you to its defining highlights on this 3-hour tour.

Visit Raphael's Rooms, Gallery of the Maps and more, and then step inside the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo's fresco 'The Creation of Adam.' Finish with a St Peter's Basilica tour and hear the secrets of the holiest place in Christendom. Choose from four different start times or upgrade to a small-group tour (12 people maximum). Skip the long lines for St. Peter's Basilica with special access directly from the Sistine Chapel.

Due to a new Vatican partnership, this tour provides VIP access through a reserved door, allowing you to skip all the lines - even the priority lines.

Skip-the-line Vatican tours are so popular, even the priority lines are long! But this tour includes exclusive access through a reserved entranceway, ensuring that you will not wait in any long lines. Head straight inside with your guide and enter the world's most extensive private collections of art.

Hear the stories and secrets of the intriguing Vatican while following your guide through incredible rooms like the Gallery of Tapestries and the Gallery of Maps, a seemingly never-ending corridor adorned with intricately detailed Italian maps. Pass through the Gallery of Candelabras, seeing ancient sculptures and opulent candelabras from Imperial villas, and wander through Bramante's Pinecone Courtyard to pose for pictures in front of the bronze Pigna statue.

Amble through Raphael's Rooms, marveling at the interconnecting galleries that showcase the artistic genius of Raphael, and then enter the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel - the crowning glory of any visit to the Vatican. Gaze up at Michelangelo's famous The Creation of Adam ceiling fresco, see The Last Judgement on the chapel's back wall and absorb the sacred ambiance of the pope's private chapel.

Your tour finishes with a fully guided visit to St Peter's Basilica, the home of the Catholic Church, where more artistic masterpieces await. See La Pieta, a stunning Michelangelo sculpture created by the artist when he was just 24, and admire Bernini's Baldachino - the ornate bronze canopy that sits above St Peter's high altar. Bid your guide farewell and take a stroll through St Peter's Square if you wish.

8:10am Small-Group Tour:
Upgrade to the 8:10am tour, and not only will you skip the long lines to enter the Vatican Museums, but you'll gain access as soon as the doors open -- before the general public step foot inside. Groups never exceed 12 people, ensuring you'll see the Vatican highlights up-close with personalized attention from your guide.

7:30pm Tour:
Book the evening tour and explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel after the main closing times - an opportunity available for a strictly limited season. Access is only possible for people pre-booking an evening tour, so book now to secure your spot! The season runs every Friday from May 6 until July 26, and then from September 6 until October 25. Numbers are limited to 20 people. Tour does not include a visit to St Peter's Basilica.

Click here for:

• more information and to book this tour

Skip the Line: Leaning Tower of Pisa Ticket

Skip the lines outside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa with this fast-track entrance ticket. After exchanging your voucher, head up the tower's sloping staircase and enjoy unforgettable views of Pisa from the top!

Recognized worldwide, the gravity-defying Leaning Tower of Pisa has captivated crowds for centuries with its distinctive tilt. The tower, which took nearly 200 years to construct, started leaning even before it was finished and still nobody knows for sure why this is! Some say it was the result of an architectural miscalculation, whereas others believe the soft clay ground was the cause.

Decide for yourself by exploring this must-see UNESCO World Heritage Site! After exchanging your voucher for your skip-the-line ticket, head past the long entrance lines that gather in Cathedral Square and start the climb skywards.

You'll have a strict 30 minutes to climb to the top, take in the views and head back down, so be sure to make every second of your time in the tower count! The 294-step staircase can be disconcerting; with steps slanting different ways, but you'll be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views over Pisa from the top! Walk around the tower's balcony and take photos of the busy square below, littered with incredible monuments like Pisa Cathedral and the Campo Santo cemetery.

Click here for:

• more information and to book this tour
• all Italy Tours, Travel & Activities

Skip the Line: Florence Accademia and Uffizi Gallery Tour

Explore Florence's two must-visit art museums - the Accademia and Uffizi galleries - on this Florence combo tour! Start with a morning skip-the-line access and guided tour of the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia) to see Michelangelo's statue of 'David' as well as other treasures, and then spend four hours at leisure (or select the option that includes lunch), either roaming the rooms of the gallery or strolling around the city before your next tour.

In the afternoon, skip the lines of the Uffizi Gallery, and explore it on a walking tour. Learn about the famous Renaissance artists of Italy and see highlights like Leonardo da Vinci's ‘Annunciation.'

Accademia Gallery (1 hour and 15 minutes):
Start outside the Accademia Gallery, and then head past the entrance lines with your skip-the-line ticket and guide. As you walk, listen to stories about the bounty of artwork contained inside the gallery's walls. Works by Michelangelo are given pride of place, and your guide's commentary focuses on the artist. Admire his unfinished sculptures - Prigioni and San Matteo - and then gaze in awe at the statue of David that dominates the central gallery.

Created by Michelangelo when he was just in his twenties, David was sculpted just after he carved La Pietà. Made from local Carrara marble, the statue of the nude biblical hero is incredible with life-like muscles carved to precision. Explore rooms that showcase works by Botticelli and Lippi, and learn about the characteristics of Renaissance art that are prevalent throughout the gallery.

After your tour finishes, spend four hours at leisure or you can choose to end this part of the tour with lunch at a restaurant in the town center (optional). Remain inside the gallery if you wish.

Uffizi Gallery (1 hour and 30 minutes):
Meet your guide and head inside with your skip-the-line ticket, and start exploring the gallery's treasure trove of art. Housed in a large horseshoe-shaped building, the Uffizi Gallery's history is as fascinating to hear about as the works inside it. Built as Florence's judiciary offices, the palace was decorated with fine art by the ruling Medici family. After their dynasty fell in the 18th century, the palace was opened to the public and has remained popular ever since.

Like the Accademia Gallery, the Uffizi Gallery's claim to fame is its wealth of Renaissance artwork, and your guide will talk you through its most interesting rooms. Admire early Renaissance treasures by Giotto, and then stroll through halls dedicated to Michelangelo, da Vinci, Caravaggio and Raphael - artists regarded as masters of their time. Learn about highlights like da Vinci's Annunciation and Michelangelo's Doni Tondo, and then explore the gallery's upper level to see Caravaggio's works.

Your tour finishes inside the gallery, but you can stay inside for another hour to browse the art independently.

Special Offer - Book the combo of the 'Tour Only' option and save 7% compared to booking tickets to the two museums individually. - Book Now!

Click here for:

• more information and to book this tour
• all Italy Tours, Travel & Activities

Skip the Line: Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour

See the best of Doge's Palace in Venice on a 2-hour skip-the-line tour! With a priority-access ticket, you won't waste time standing in line. Walk right past the long queue with your guide, and enjoy a tour that combines the palace's magnificent public rooms with rare access to the Piombi attic prison and the Bridge of Sighs. See Italian Renaissance artwork and learn about the darker deeds of the city's former rulers on this Doge's Palace tour with a difference!

Your tour begins at St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), from where you'll stroll over to the elegant Doge's Palace with your expert guide. Conveniently, your skip-the-line Doge's Palace tickets offer fast-track entrance, so you'll walk straight past the long lines outside.

Easily Venice's most famous building, Doge's Palace (or Palazzo Ducalo in Italian) is a mesmerizing example of Venetian Gothic architecture at its finest. Created in the 14th century for the doges of Venice, the rulers of the former Venetian Republic, the palace contains elaborately decorated public rooms alongside darker hidden chambers.

Start your 2-hour Doge's Palace tour by exploring these ornate public rooms, where you'll see how the successive doges made their palace even more impressive with art by 15th-century Italian Renaissance artists. Gaze at Tintoretto's magnificent ceiling frescos, and see Veronese masterpieces such as the Virtues of the Republic. As you walk through the Trial Chambers of the Council of Ten, your guide will point out the vibrant ceiling panel, Juno Bestowing her Gifts on Venice, and the room's dark corner where accusations of treachery were passed to the secret service.

Next, it's on to the Piombi, the ancient attic prison that traditionally held Venice's upper-class inmates under a lead-cased roof. The Piombi is rarely open to members of the public; enjoy an exclusive walk around these eerie chambers, and see where Casanova, Venice's legendary lover, was cruelly imprisoned.

By the 16th century, the attic prison cells were replaced by the New Prisons, although these horrifying chambers hardly fit the name by today's standards! The New Prisons were joined to Doge's Palace by the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri), named to signify the prisoners' sighs as they caught their last glimpse of beautiful Venice. You'll walk across the Bridge of Sighs independently and explore the New Prisons at leisure before your tour ends.

Special Offer - Book before March 31, 2014, to travel anytime in 2014, and save 20% on the recommended retail price. - Book Now!

Click here for:

• more information and to book this tour
• all Italy Tours, Travel & Activities

Skip the Line: Borghese Gallery and Gardens Walking Tour

Book your Skip the Line: Borghese Gallery and Gardens Walking Tour ahead of time to take advantage of jumping the queue with reserved tickets. The Borghese Gallery regularly sells out a month in advance!

One of Rome's richest and most interesting villas, the Borghese Gallery and Museum houses a vast and diverse collection of sculptures and paintings produced by masters such as Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio and Titian. Your guide will lead you through the gallery's breathtaking rooms and reveal the secrets, stories and techniques behind the masterpieces.

Then you will go for an enchanting stroll though the Villa Borghese Gardens and enjoy the surprises and tranquillity of this Eden in the heart of busy Rome. The famous Villa Borghese is a truly magical setting, surrounded by vast gardens filled with fountains, monuments and diverse flora. It's a treat for all the senses.

The tour ends with a breathtaking view from atop the Pincio terrace.

All entrance fees to the Borghese Gallery and Museum are included in the tour price. Tours are conducted in small groups (maximum 20 people) with an English-speaking guide who can personally cater to you so your visit's a special and unforgettable experience.

Click here for more information and to book this tour or for more Italy Tours, Travel & Activities.

Skip the Line Private Tour: Vatican Museums Walking Tour

Receive the Papal treatment with your very own private tour of the Vatican! You'll receive personalized attention from your guide, and by booking ahead you won't waste any time waiting in line!

Accompanied by your expert guide, you will enjoy an intimate, personalized tour of the Vatican Museums, which were originally meant for the sole enjoyment of the Pope. This lavish, intricate labyrinth is made up of 2000 rooms that stretch over almost nine miles. In fact, it is said that if you spent 60 seconds looking at every item, it would take you 12 years to see everything! With your own private guide to lead the way, you'll discover the beauty and secrets hidden within the masterpieces lining these rooms.

A highlight of the private tour of the Vatican Museums is experiencing Michelangelo's famous Creation of Adam fresco as you explore the Sistine Chapel and wander through Raphael's Rooms. After taking in the Vatican Museums, you will encounter another of Michelangelo's masterpieces, La Pieta, in St Peter's Basilica. For a fascinating finish to your private walking tour, stop to admire magnificent St Peter's Square, as your guide points out Bernini's ingenious use of optical illusion.

Click here for more information and to book this tour or for more Italy Tours, Travel & Activities.

Skip the Line: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour

Take a morning or afternoon tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel - and jump the queue by booking ahead. You'll enjoy a mini coach tour of Rome en route to the Vatican and see Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel frescoes, without wasting time waiting in line.

To start your morning tour of the Vatican Museums, you'll take a coach tour across Rome. Your city tour includes a live commentary and offers a brief introduction to Rome as you travel by bus to Vatican City. Highlights en route include Piazza della Repubblica, following the ancient Aurelian Walls, the famous Villa Borghese gardens and the northern gate of Rome leading into Piazza del Popolo.

Upon arrival, your guide will lead you into the museums. You'll see the beautiful spiral stairway and continue through the Gallery of Tapestries and Gallery of Geographical Maps, before arriving at the famous Sistine Chapel with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo.

After your tour, you also have the option to indulge in an Italian lunch (drinks not included) before taking a guided tour of Christian Rome in the afternoon. Highlights include the Basilicas of Santa Maria Maggiore and Saint John in Lateran, and traveling along the ancient Appian Way to see Rome's Catacombs.



Get a sneak peak of the Skip the Line:  Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour with this Viator video.

Click here for more information and to book this tour or for more Italy Tours, Travel & Activities.

Skip the Line: Small Group Florence Uffizi Gallery Walking Tour

Take a small group walking tour of the Uffizi Gallery, and jump the queue by booking ahead. Numbers are limited to a maximum of 20 people ensuring you'll receive personalized attention and audio headsets guarantee that you'll hear the guide clearly. And by booking ahead, you won't waste any time waiting in line!

Walk in wonder as you bypass the crowds and skip the long lines on a guided walking tour through the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's oldest and most famous art galleries. Situated in the historic center of Florence, the Uffizi Gallery houses a renowned collection of well preserved paintings and sculptures from the likes of Giotto, Botticelli, da Vinci, Perugino, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian and Vasari.

Admire Botticelli's Renaissance inspired works including The Birth of Venus' and Primavera' while you're guide provides expert commentary via your personal audio headset. Stroll opulent corridors gazing at art and architecture from the Medieval and Modern ages, then debate and compare the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci with those of Michelangelo.

There's plenty to absorb including fascinating stories about the lives of the artists, celebrated architects and the wealthy patrons who contributed to the Uffizi Gallery's extensive collection.

Conclude your captivating walking tour on the gallery's rooftop terrace. From here, enjoy a bird's eye view of Piazza degli Uffizi, the most significant political center of Renaissance Florence.

Click here for more information and to book this tour or for more Italy Tours, Travel & Activities.

Skip the Line: Boboli Gardens with Vasari Corridor Tour, Florence

See the Vasari Corridor and Boboli Gardens in one afternoon in Florence! Following in the footsteps of 15th-century aristocrats, walk through the Vasari Corridor - the city's secret passageway - on a guided tour. Learn of the clandestine meetings and dastardly dealings that took place in this intriguing walkway, and see the beautiful Renaissance art that graces its walls. Your tour finishes in Boboli Gardens, where you will skip the entrance lines with your fast-track ticket and spend the afternoon exploring the gardens at leisure.

Built in the 1540s, the Vasari Corridor was created as a hidden walkway that connected Pitti Palace to the Uffizi Gallery on the other side of the River Arno. The Grand Duke of Florence (Cosimo I) commissioned it to be built in honor of his son's wedding; however it's believed there were other motives for its creation. A popular tale is that the anti-social duke simply wanted a secret walkway to avoid his enemies on the streets!

After meeting your guide by Pitti Palace, start your tour by looking at the fascinating corridor from the outside. Incredibly, it was built in just five months, and you'll really gain an appreciation of the hard work and toil that went into its creation as you stroll along the Ponte Vecchio - Florence's famously old bridge - before heading into the Ufizzi Gallery to enter the corridor itself.

Split into three distinct sections, the Vasari Corridor is an art lover's delight, containing an array of Renaissance paintings, sculptures and portraits. As you walk through the corridor, following the walkway back across the bridge (the route known as the 'Prince's Itinerary'), your guide will explain the stunning art collections to you. See 17th- and 18th-century paintings by Italian artists and pass the world's largest collection of self-portraits while walking above the Ponte Vecchio.

The corridor ends near the Boboli Gardens, and your guide will point you in the right direction to enter them. Head past the queues with your skip-the-line ticket and then spend as much time as you want, relaxing at leisure in this elegantly tranquil park.

Click here for more information and to book this tour or for more Italy Tours, Travel & Activities.