All Categories
As the wife of a Swiss Guard, and former journalist at the Pope's newspaper "L'Osservatore Romano", I have been living and working in the Vatican for over a decade. Hence my delight in being able to share with you how best to prepare for your visit to Vatican City, including some packing tips, my favorite local restaurants, bars and hotels, and how to get up close and personal with Pope Francis! I’ve also included the best time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica and how to really skip the line to get to the Sistine Chapel, visit the Pope’s Gardens and see the Papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo! Plan ahead using my advice and tips, and you can see it all on a budget and stress-free. There’s no need to give in to the hawkers offering the chance of a lifetime to skip the line. You are already skipping the line! And after you've spent a morning or even a full day inside Vatican City, you'll need to know where to go to eat well and enjoy a well-deserved 'aperitivo'. All the Swiss Guard favorite hangouts are included. Welcome to my home inside and around the Vatican walls!