The Vatican:
The Vatican Museum holds the largest art collection in Europe with over 65,000 masterpieces. The Pio Clementino halls, the Candelabra Gallery with frescos and statues, the Tapestry Gallery dating back to the XVI and XVII century, the Historical maps, work of Ignazio Danti, the Sistine Chapel built in the 15th century by pope Sixtus and adorned by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Perugino and ghirlandaio are on the short list of must-see treasures. Also visit the Bernini staircase dating back to the 16th century. St. Peter's Basilica is the largest Church in the world--here you'll admire The Pietà, Michelangelo's masterpiece carved when he was only 24 years old (because of the general audience of the pope, on wednesday the St. Peter' s Basilica will be only visited from the outside).
The Catacombs:
The tour starts at the Esquilino Square with a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major dating back to the 5th Century A.D. Enjoy the beautiful mosaics and the relic of the Crib of the Infant Jesus. The group will then continue to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome, built under Constantine and renovated by Borromini in the 17th century. It contains numerous columns and precious marbles, many taken from the Colosseum. View The Holy Staircase, supposed to be the staircase of Pilate’s residence where Christ descended after His condemnation. It was brought from Jerusalem to Rome by St. Helena, mother of Constantine. Immerse yourself in the history of Rome while touring the Catacombs, the ancient underground cemeteries, testimony of the early Christians’ faith. The Catacombs cover a length of 120 Km! Marvel at The Ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica), built in 312 B.C., Pass by the chapel of Domine Quo Vadis, known as the place of the apparition of Christ to St. Peter.