The words ‘after dark’ have a particular feel. They make me think of intimacy, romance, peace and quiet. The words can even sound slightly eerie. My experience on the Vatican Museums After Dark Tour encompasses all of these adjectives.

Wandering the empty, dimly lit halls of the Vatican Museums at night is, first and most of all, an intimate experience – more intimate than most first time visitors can imagine. This is because, in contrast, the Vatican Museums in the morning is pure chaos. You are always shoulder to shoulder with someone, the halls are filled with that loud hum of the random conversations in crowds. Imagine the difference of experiencing the Sistine Chapel in the empty museums; the quiet, relaxed atmosphere is perfect for taking all of that beauty in. There are no distractions.

Speaking of distractions, there isn’t even a line. While the tour is not advertised, like other Vatican tours, as a ‘Skip the Line’ tour – I’ve discovered this is because there is no line to skip. The public is not allowed into the Museums at this hour – which is why booking in advance is required, you just walk right in.

Once inside --- the romance comes into play. It being the evening, there is very little to no light entering through the windows lining the halls. Therefore, the outdoor center courtyard (the first stop of the visit) is lit by candlelight. From the courtyard you can see the lights of St. Peter’s Basilica, the dome glowing blue in contrast with the dark blue of the sky. The atmosphere is magical and it was easy to let our imaginations drift back in time as the guide recounted the extravagant balls and banquets she said were held in this very spot.

The lighting also makes it easy to feel like you are sneaking uninvited through the home of a rich stranger. This is where the tour can even feel eerie! In fact, the Vatican Museums, our tour guide said, were not always museums, but were once the personal palace of the Pope himself. Along the echoing halls, ghosts of Popes past seemed to follow us -- haunting the paintings and sculptures. It seemed the art itself and not our guide that would speak to us as we walked by, telling extraordinary stories of how they came to be. I had the sensation that any second the Pope himself would step out from behind a corner in a nightcap and slippers and stare at us as intruders! I felt as though I should tiptoe along as I robbed memories along with our tiny tour group of partners in crime.

In all, I really feel the Vatican Museums After Dark tour should not be missed. The museums are only offering the night opening until the end of October and anyone lucky to find themselves in Rome at this time should take advantage of this rare opportunity – because it may not come around again. I like knowing that I shared this special experience with so few other people in the world. It’s not often you can take home a limited edition memory as a souvenir.

Special Note: Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel after official closing times -- an opportunity only available for limited dates!