As a Jewish girl from northwest London, I never expected there would ever come a time where I was unlocking the doors to a church – let alone one of the holiest Catholic sites in the world.
But, as I turn the key and push open the huge, heavy doors to the Sistine Chapel, it’s a truly religious experience.
Staring up at Michelangelo’s beautiful artwork covering every inch of the ceiling and the walls all around me, I have to pinch myself.
It doesn’t help that I’m still bleary-eyed, as I’ve had to get to the Vatican at 5.30am in order to beat the crowds.
But the early start is more than worth it to see one of the biggest tourist attractions in Rome without standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands of others.
Instead, I’m here with just 19 others, as part of GetYourGuide’s Turn the Lights on at the Vatican experience – a tour that’s run once a month.
For two hours, we have the entire Vatican to ourselves.
At £300 per person, it’s not cheap.
The Daily Mail’s deputy editor Hayley Minn and her husband took part in GetYourGuide’s Turn on the Lights at the Vatican experience. They’re pictured in front of St Peter’s Basilica
As a Jewish girl from northwest London, I never expected there would ever come a time where I was unlocking the doors to a church – let alone one of the holiest Catholic sites in the world, the Sistine Chapel
I’ve had to get to the Vatican at 5.30am – but the early start is more than worth it to see one of the biggest tourist attractions in Rome without standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands of others
But it’s no wonder that holidaymakers are keen to stump up the cash to see the Vatican in such a unique way.
With around 25,000 visitors every day – and an incredible 7,709 tourists to every resident – Vatican City has been named the world’s most overcrowded destination, by Africa2Go.
However, there are no crowds whatsoever as Gianni Crea, who has been the keeper of the keys for the past 25 years, and an extremely knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide, Elena, lead our group of 20 through the museum.
You can hear a pin drop as we quietly walk through each room – everyone just dumbstruck by the sheer grandeur of the artwork on show.
While I’m given the honour of opening the Sistine Chapel, everyone gets at least one shot of unlocking the doors of at least one other room – and, of course, turning the lights on.
It’s hard to describe just how magical the moment of each room going from pitch black, to glistening golds and bright colours is.
And with no one else here, I can actually appreciate this extravagant building and its architecture – something that’s just not possible once the museums are full.
Seeing the sun slowly come up over the Rome, through the windows, as we venture around, adds to this once-in-a-lifetime experience too.
I’m here with just 19 others, as part of GetYourGuide’s Turn the Lights on at the Vatican experience – a tour that’s run once a month. For two hours, we have the entire Vatican to ourselves
On this tour, there are no crowds whatsoever as Gianni Crea, who has been the keeper of the keys for the past 25 years, and an extremely knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide, Elena, lead our group of 20 through the museum
At £300 per person, it’s not cheap. But, it’s no wonder people are willing to stump up the cash when Vatican City has been named the world’s most overcrowded destination. You can hear a pin drop as we quietly walk through each room – everyone just dumbstruck by the sheer grandeur of the artwork on show
Seeing the sun slowly come up over the Rome, through the windows, as we venture around, adds to this once-in-a-lifetime experience too
With no one else here, I can actually appreciate this extravagant building and its architecture – something that’s just not possible once the museums are full
And Elena gives everyone in the group the opportunity to have a picture with the Basilica lit up behind them.
As the tour comes to an end, and the crowds quickly begin to pour in, our group is served a delicious, American-style breakfast – much needed after the early start.
And, as we tuck into our pancakes, the entire group can’t stop enthusing about how incredible the past two hours have been.
To book on to GetYourGuide’s next tour, head to the website – although you may have to regularly check as tickets sell out quickly.
