August 8, 2025 • 42 mins
Traveli is all about experiences right? Imagine being alone in the Vatican Museums at sunrise, turning on the lights in the Sistine Chapel, or stepping into Florence’s Duomo to view Brunelleschi's dome with a handful of other travelers after hours.
We're discussing recently added VIP experiences at some of Italy's most iconic sites with Walks of Italy's Denyse Pantaleo
NEW! - the Untold Italy app - DOWNLOAD FOR iOS • DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
The app is FREE to download and check out our Milan guide and general travel content. Upgrade to PREMIUM for a one time fee to access Rome, Florence, Venice, Sorrento, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia, Tuscany, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Veneto, Lombardy, Campania, Lazio, Puglia, Abruzzo, Calabria with much more to come
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Join our mailing list and get our FREE Italy trip planning checklist - subscribe here | Join us on tour: Trip schedule | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Visit our online store | Follow: Instagram • Facebook • YouTube • Italy Travel Planning Community • Online travel assistant
The Untold Italy travel podcast is an independent production. Podcast Editing, Audio Production and Website Development by Mark Hatter. Production Assistance and Content Writing by the other Katie Clarke - yes there are two of us!
Support the show
We're discussing recently added VIP experiences at some of Italy's most iconic sites with Walks of Italy's Denyse Pantaleo
- Rome - Vatican Key Master's Tour - tour details
- Rome - Alone in the Sistine Chapel - tour details
- Rome - Colosseum Tour with VIP Caesar's Palace - tour details
- Florence - Alone in the Duomo with private terrace access - tour details
- Venice - Alone in St Mark's with Doge's Palace - tour details
NEW! - the Untold Italy app - DOWNLOAD FOR iOS • DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
The app is FREE to download and check out our Milan guide and general travel content. Upgrade to PREMIUM for a one time fee to access Rome, Florence, Venice, Sorrento, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia, Tuscany, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Veneto, Lombardy, Campania, Lazio, Puglia, Abruzzo, Calabria with much more to come
Support the show
Join our mailing list and get our FREE Italy trip planning checklist - subscribe here | Join us on tour: Trip schedule | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Visit our online store | Follow: Instagram • Facebook • YouTube • Italy Travel Planning Community • Online travel assistant
The Untold Italy travel podcast is an independent production. Podcast Editing, Audio Production and Website Development by Mark Hatter. Production Assistance and Content Writing by the other Katie Clarke - yes there are two of us!
Support the show
- Subscribe to our mailing list and get our FREE Italy trip planning toolkit - subscribe here
- Need help with your trip? Check out our Trip Planning Services
- Join us on tour. Browse our Trip schedule
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ever dreamed of having an Assistine chapel all to yourself,
or skipping the crowds in Venice to see the golden
mosaics of San Marco lit up after dark. In this episode,
we're joined by our friends at Walks to Italy to
reveal what really happens on their VIP tours of Rome,
Florence and Venice. From hidden doors to guides who know
every story behind ancient stones, you'll hear how these experiences
(00:22):
can turn your Italy trip from memorable to unforgettable.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Tawatuti and Benvenuti Tuan told Italy the travel podcast to
where you go to the towns and villages, mountains and lakes,
hills and coastlines of Ballet Italia. It's week your host
Katie Clark takes you on a journey in a search
of magical landscapes, history, culture, wine, gelato, and of course
(00:54):
a whole lot of pasta. If you're dreaming of Italy
and planning future adventures there, you've come to the right place.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
One John Nor friends commaste, hope you're ready for another
Italian adventure andiamum.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Today we're doing a grand.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Tour of sorts and taking a look at the very
special experiences you can now have in Italy's iconic cities Rome,
Florence and Venice. I'm joined by my friend and he's
Pantaleo from Walks of Italy, one of the longest running
and popular tour companies operating in Italy, and they started
in twenty ten, I believe, and I remember my mum
(01:39):
saying she enjoyed their tours on a trip way back when.
So they've been entertaining and educating visitors to Italy for
a very long time and know how to showcase the
world famous sites of Italy through storytelling rather than dry
packs and figures. They've recently added some VIP or very
special experiences to their list of tours on offer, and
(02:00):
Denise is going to share what to expect if you
choose these experiences over a standard tour of the Vatican Museums, Coliseum, Florence,
Dormal and Saint Mark's in Venice. If you're a history,
art or architecture lover, or you have a deep connection
to the Catholic Church, these are the five star experiences
worth splurging on. Let's hear all about them. Ben to Denise,
(02:22):
Welcome back to the until Vishally Podcast.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Talk it In. Thank you for welcoming back here. Very
happy to be here.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
It's always great to have you on this show. And
you know, we've known each other a few years now.
In fact, I believe it was you who taught my
kids how to use the Roman Nazne water fountains and
now they know how to squirt everyone.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
About it.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
That's okay, it's always good, but it's hot. But I'd
love to introduce you to our audience, but I think
the best way to do that is for you to
tell everyone all about yourself and Walks tours to our listeners.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Yes, So my name is Denise. I was born and
raised in the northeast of Italy, but about twenty years
ago I moved to Rome. I fall in love with
Rome and other things, and I decided to stay in
this city. The city really tugged me so tight that
I couldn't leave. I started working with Walks about ten
(03:24):
years ago, and then further Vour also four years ago,
and currently I am the ground operation manager for Walks
and the Vauer in Roman Pompey. Why I've been working
for Walks ten years because I love the people that
work for Walks and the way we care about crafting
the experiences for our guests and visitors and we really
(03:48):
care about having done the best experience they can.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
It's so true and the very creative people. And we're
going to hear about that in a minute. But Walks
has really come a long way, has it it? I
think it's over fifteen years old. I think, Yes, that's
a lot of.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Tours, a lot of tours, a lot of people.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
It's a lot of people, especially as it's in you know,
and it's now all over Europe, but in some of
the busiest cities in the world. And I imagine the
teams learned a few things along the way and each
and every season because you're dealing with hundreds of people
actually every day going to these major sites. So and
I know that you're always tweaking the experience to make
(04:27):
sure that they are special. And because what I know
about Walks is that you do understand these trips are
very very big and important for a lot of people,
and it's not something that people do every day, so
you want to make sure that they're memorable for all
the right reasons.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Yes, you can dream about the system chapel for years
and maybe you have one chance to see it. So
we need to go above and beyond to make sure
that one time experience in your life is just the
perfect one. Were the perfect guide because are big, big,
big piece of the whole experience. Their storytelling, their knowledge,
(05:07):
their stories what makes the system chapel alive, and it
changes every time with every guide you are with.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
I know, I've been on so many tours in the
Vatican Museums and it is different every single time.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
I learned something new.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
And I mean, this is a huge expense of art
and history in the one spot, so of course there's
so many stories to tell.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
But you know, what I really appreciate going with Walks
is that you.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Can have a totally different experience based on the person's
expertise and their interests as well. I think last time
we went this was a private experience that I know
Walks are now offering too. With someone who had really
strong interest in Egyptian mythology. Well my son was right
into that and we went into the Egyptian mythology. I've
(06:01):
never been there before. How interesting it was fantastic. So
but what we wanted to talk to about today is
you've got some new new Ish VIP experiences and this
is about taking those iconic moments to another level. Is
there a reason why you've created these?
Speaker 5 (06:21):
Is it?
Speaker 4 (06:21):
I think that as I was saying, going to the
coliseum or going to some mark, going to the Darman
for Florence is definitely on your bucket list, I would
make a parallel with food, which is my passion, and
I have to You can dream of the perfect carbonata,
or you can dream about a carbonada. But carbonata can
(06:42):
be a carbonada, or it can be the carbonada. So
if I can make a parallel with the Vatican or
visiting the Assistant Chapel or the Duom on some mark
can be your experience. Visiting the assistant Chapel or can
be the experience. So I don't want to say that
(07:03):
that carbonada is not good. Or it can be good
and perfect and it will stay in your memories forever,
or it can beat the carbonada you will talk about
with your friends back home forever and you're going to
make your friends like dreaming of it. So it's just
two levels of the experience, and I have to compare
(07:25):
it to a carbonada. Of course, sorry for the cyst
in Chapel. Sorry, Michaelangelo, but the Carabanada is a masterpiece
if you want. So the experiences we have, I don't
like exclusive because it's cutting off a lot of things.
They're special. That's what in the end these tours are
(07:48):
and what will stay in the memories are really special memories.
So it's easy to describe them like beat the crowds
and this and that. The reality is that when you
are stepping inside the Vatican Museums early morning before it's
open to the general public, and you walk through the
(08:08):
museums with a key master, and you see that it's
lighting on all the different rooms and you feel all
this art around you, You're soaking those energy that probably
there's two spread it with too many people during the day.
So honestly, when I'm traveling, for example, I decide, okay,
(08:29):
there's one amount I save on the side for something special,
something that I want to leave one hundred percent. And
these type of tours are that kind of thing. It's
not Michelen restaurant compared to a tratoria, but something like that.
It's that kind of experience that can be really taken
(08:51):
to another level.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Yeah, I would agree, So I'm going to confess now,
I have not had the opportunity to speak any of
these VIP experiences, but the Untold Italy team have and
they are very impressed. Actually, so I think one of
the ones that we could probably talk about in a
bit more detail is the key Master's Tour.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
So I have actually experienced the alone in.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
The Vatican Museum's tour myself, which is an amazing tour.
And I have and I'm going to put the photos
up with these episode show notes of me walking through
those galleries and it is un believable, like because you
are there with very few people in this one, it's
it's mind blowing, especially if you've maybe been before and
(09:41):
you've walked there with hundreds of people, and like I've
done both experiences, both recently, it is a whole other opportunity.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
When you are there in those galleries with very few people,
you can.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Really take in what's going on around you, like it
is due pendous this art.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
It is unbelievable. It blows your mind.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
And I think in an hour or two or three
that you have when you're going through these galleries, it's
very you know, like if you're surrounded by people and
paying attention to everything around you like that. It's exciting,
but it's also a totally different experience when you're there
with a very small group, and what you're able to
do then is explore what those galleries mean to you.
(10:29):
One example that I'd love to give is that when
we went down through the gallery.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Of maps, the guide.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Was helping us figure out where's your family from because
my husband's family is Italian, so they.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Was like, oh, where's your family from? Men?
Speaker 1 (10:44):
So she was very kind and she took a photo
of us in front of the town or the area
where my husband's mum's from. And it was so nice,
you know, because that was something really special that you
wouldn't be able to do on a normal day.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
I think. I mean, it's not because guys are different
or they don't want to. It's because it's just this
stream of crowd and you just need to go, so
you're allowed to do this little things that really make
the tour different. You can appreciate details of paintings. While
(11:19):
on a regular tour, GUIDs are doing above and beyond
to give you all the context of this painter and
colors and describe the painting as much as they can
but without a crowd and having more time, you can
really appreciate the colors and details. It's about details, yeah, absolutely,
(11:40):
time you call details.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
It's like getting the best que Charlie on your carbonara.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Right, exactly exactly Like it's the way that when challie
is cooked with more time and more curated, that makes
the difference. In the end, the carbonara and regulatory fier
is good can be much better.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
I agree.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
You need time to cure like Gangel properly, which is
the same thing as going through taking your time in
the Vatican museums. Another memory that I have of the
alone in the Vatican Museums tour is like actually looking
out of the window that the Pope looks out of
and watching the sun come up over the rooftops of
the city. And it's for me, it's very emotional because
(12:27):
I really now.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
These days have a very strong connection to.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Rome and I love that view of the of the
sun coming up. And also the other thing that I
love in autumn and winter when there's is it the
starlings or the swallows and they come out themmemoration and
there's big huge birds that come in waves over the
city and it's it's almost like a movie.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
It's beautiful. But you know, when I was talking to
Olivia and Mary on the Untold Italy team about their
experience on their t Master's tour, is.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
It's the actual opening of each gallery and the sort
of dropping of the breath, you know, just unbelievable, just
having that experience of seeing the lights go on and
all of those precious, precious artworks eliminated.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
It's incredible. I've experienced it myself. The key master A
tour was just after COVID, so I have pictures with masks.
It's unbelievable. You are inside the Sistant Chapel with no
one and they just turn on the light. You are
in the middle of the Sistant Chapel at Boom you
have the blue of the Michelangelo paintings that just you
(13:40):
just goose bumps everywhere. It's incredible and you can stay there,
you can appreciate the paintings without having anyone that's pushing
your too many people. And also in the alone Vatican tour,
guys are allowed to explain in the Sistant Chapel why
in regular tours a land so you are, you're there
(14:01):
and the guide is really pointing everything you need to notice,
you need to keep it with yourself forever. And yeah,
you were talking about the timing of the day when
the special doors are, and also in Florence and Venice,
in Venice's evening's after hour and in Florence's sunset. So
believe there is some timing of the day where everything
(14:23):
looks more special. Sunsets or sunrise, these places are much special.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Yeah, yeah, it's gold now they call it.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
So Mary just went on up to Florence and did
the alone in the drama up there, and she said
it was unbelievable because it's.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Just so everyone knows.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
For people on my team have really got a passion
for Italy and so either it's through food and wine
or it's through history and culture. Mary is a very
strong background and lots of studies in history, and she's
been like me, she geeks out on all of that stuff.
And she said to me, before we just got so
close to everything, and I just felt so connected to
(15:07):
the city of Florence. All I could see was the
city laid out before me, and it was unbelievable, she said,
it was. You know, I loved looking at the artwork
on the dome and I just felt like I was
part of it, that I could almost sense the work
that had gone into it, all of the thousands of
people that have created this artwork to make it so magical.
(15:29):
And yeah, she couldn't talk about it enough, and I
was like, wait, I need to do that one next
time I'm in Florence. I haven't climbed the dome for
a very long time.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
And also best when in Florence and the key master.
In Rome, they have a key master, so you get
to know that there's actually a human being that is
a key master and is in charge of opening and closing.
So it's even knowing that there are some jobs that
you don't even think about it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
And the rituals and like I've seen the actually and
we will post these on our show notes as well,
the actual keys for the key masters to are the keyholder.
It looks like these hundreds of keys on it, Like
I don't know how they know which and rich like
obviously it's probably in an order, like that's how I
would do it with my pipe brain, but like it's
(16:22):
so amazing to see that, yeah, right, there's a job
and that someone's responsible for this very important ritual that
goes on every day, but that very few people get
to see.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
I like this thing you're mentioning about rituals. These are places.
They're so special, places so full of arts, and all
this art is the energy of the artists they're behind that,
and the willings of bulbs and noble families. So they're
so much layers of energy of creativity and the willings
(16:58):
of having This place is magical and beautiful and the esthetic.
The rituals are important because you point out the importance
of this place, of being there. It's not just a church,
it's not just a museum. It's something that has been
created because someone believed in it. So rituals are important.
(17:19):
You highlight the importance of this place. And do we
need today in twenty twenty five a key master? It
looks so all school that you have actually someone and
is opening doors with a key. Yes, you need it
because this place is special.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
And not only for the art, but also the history
and who's walked there before. I mean, you know, remember
sometimes we think, oh, we need to go see the
sister in chapel, but remember who made it and how
he did it, and the passion and the time and
the energy and just the dedication. I mean, I think
he was in the nineties when he was still painting.
(17:57):
He was very old, Mike Michelangelo when he was painting
that Sistine Chapel, And you can really get a sense
of that when you're there and on your own, you're able.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
To ask questions and just have that connection either to
the Sistine Chapel or the Duomoor in Bruneleski's Dome in Florence.
And what I think is important here is this is
not for everyone, right, because this is something if you
are obsessed by art, or you have a very strong
(18:30):
connection to the church or you or you're really into history,
then you are really going to geek out on this
stuff like me.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
But you know, it's not for everyone, right.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
So if you think that going there is like something
that's cool to do and you want to take some
photos and say that you've seen it and appreciate that
you've seen it, that is amazing, and there is plenty
of options to do that. But this type of experience
is really for someone that is kind of obsessed with
(19:00):
history or art or connecting with the past.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Yeah, definitely. As I was saying before, you have someone
really into food. You don't just stop yourself to researching
good trati and osteriia, but you want to go to
the next level. And yes, it's going to be an
investment because it's probably more expensive than a regular dinner
in a regular to wear the Vatican or the Colosseum,
(19:27):
but you having the experience. Also, I was thinking about
I don't know if it's the same thing around the world,
but when you get married here, you ask your friends
or family to put some money for your honeymoon and
help you getting the perfect honeymoon and contribute to pay
the honeymoon. This is something I would gift a couple
(19:51):
of friends they're really into art, or they want to
have the best experience there. Don't just go at the Colosseum,
but go in the arena. So I want that when
you're going to be in Rome or Florence or Venice,
you're going to think about me like I gifted you
the experience. Just making an example, but it's like gifting
(20:13):
a Michelin star restaurant. Because I want you, I love
you as friends, and I want you have the best experience.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
I'm really wondering why no one's gifted me those experiences.
To be honest, Come on.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
You want me to talk to your friends.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Yeah, I think we need to. We need to have
a chat to know.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
But it's so true, Like gifting experiences is something that
I've been passionate about for a while now because we
all have too much stuff.
Speaker 4 (20:42):
Yeah, you think about one stuff. Your order is online
and two hours later is in your house. But experiences
is different.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
And I think whether you're standing in the Sistine Chapel
admiring that, or you're standing out on the in the
Palatine Hill walking in the steps of Julius Caesar, it's
a totally different memory. Then you know, perhaps you're getting
that book that you ordered on Amazon, because in the
end of the day, it's really ten books you buy
on Amazon. I mean, I mean, I love reading, but
(21:13):
something like that was going to stay with you forever.
The other one that Mary enjoyed recently that she really
loved was in Venice.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
She said, this was incredible.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
So the latest VIP one is in Venice after dark
and you go into some marco and turn the lights on.
You're from that region, Dedas and that's a very special church,
isn't it.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
That one.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
It's super special. So as a kid raised in the
Venice area at the primary school that were taking us
through Venice every year, that was thing. You go to Banics,
Venice is very close to your school. You go to
Venice every year. And when I started working for Walks
and we start having this experience, I was like, why
(21:59):
I've been taking to them mark many many times, but
I never got to experience this because this is special.
Of course, so I know with the daylight what this
golden dome looks like, but I mean being there after
hours in the dark and then the turn on the light. Wow,
It's just unbelievable. As a kid, I would have dreamed
(22:22):
to see this and I couldn't experience this yet. But
everyone that took this stur and this experience, they're just enthusiastic.
Is incredible.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
It is supposed to be. I'm so jealous.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
I'm just I'm a big, massive fan of Venice and
I love everything about the history and the culture of Venice.
I'm obsessed with it and I think it's the ultimate
expression of the city. But you also have that sense
of mystery and wonder, which I think is the city itself.
And one thing that Mary said that you can do
(23:01):
there is you go see the Paladoro, which most people miss,
which is that very special icon that you can go
and see.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
This is like magical piece of art.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
That is, it's not on the standard tour, so you
can only go there if it's very special. So not
only do you see the lighting up of the golden mosaics,
but you also go into some special areas of the church,
which is very very unique. And yeah, if you're into
Byzantine art, if you are particularly religious, or you have
(23:34):
got a really strong connection to the Catholic Church, then
this is really a very very special experience.
Speaker 3 (23:40):
And I have to say as well.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
You know, Venice is very well known for being very busy,
and most people will go straight does a Marco go there,
go to the Doge's palace, go to the rialto.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Bridge, and that will be their experience. And in fact,
the reason Venice is busy is because it gets a
lot of day trippers.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
So when these people have lived for the day and
you have your magical experience in San Marco, I think
I'm coveraging that one big time.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
That will put that on my wish list.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
Yes, definitely me too. This is something I want to
do and Also because these stores, all these stores are
early morning or late afternoon, you can really dedicate that
special moment to the special time of the day and
focus during the day to other things. So you know
that must to see, must to visit place is scheduled
(24:37):
sometimes in early morning or late afternoon, and you're okay
with that. You're going to live it in its best.
But the rest of the day you're going to dedicate
yourself into completely different things. So when all the people
are going to the Vatican, you are going to other
places they're less crowded, and you're going to leave all
the best of everything. Basically will We'll be having.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
A long lunch with your excellent carbonara, for sure, and
in Venice chiquetti, go have some chiquetti, Go have your
gondola ride.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
But it's such a smart thing to do.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
In fact, is to actually organize your day, especially also
when it's hot, to organize seeing these major sites in
the evening and the afternoon. But it's not about logistics.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
These experience they're very, very special, and I'm very jealous
of everyone that's done.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
But I can only say from my experience at the
alone at the Vatican, it is one of those things
that I'll never forget because having the contrast of my
previous experience, which was, you know, not being able to
appreciate what was happening around me, and then having those
moments in the Sistine Chapel is just incredible.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
Yeah, that was exactly the goal of that experience. Maybe
you're not going to remember all the details of the tour,
but what you remember is the feeling you have, and
this is what makes an experience versus a tour exactly.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
And I was saying to Denise earlier that you know,
Italian wages are not what they are in some of
our countries, so for everyone that's listening, so some of
these experiences are really out of reach of you know,
your average Italian.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
So when I've had some of my team who.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Are Italian go on these trips, I think they've been
maybe a little bit skeptical, I would say, to experience them,
and then they've been on them and they have just
been wowed and they get quite emotional actually, because you know,
in Italy you study very hard the art, history and history,
not that we do in our countries, so they're very
(26:44):
very aware of that and they may not have ever
had the opportunity to go and see and experience their
culture in this way. And Olivia who's on our team
as well, her husband Andrea, he's he's a big historyated
like me. Now he just cannot stop writing about the
key Master's tour and he would do it again and
(27:06):
again and again.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
I told you I've been taken from my school many, many,
many times in St. Mark because you had to as
kids raising that area, you need to get to know
what is specially in your area. But I'm dreaming of
that experience and then in a completely different way. And
I've been because of work many times in the Vatican
(27:31):
museums but also on my own. But when I went
on a key Master tour, it was a completely different experience.
Like I told myself, I've been in the Tapestry Gallery,
I don't want to say a hundred times, a little
less but very close to and it was a completely
different experience. I could stand in front of on front
(27:52):
of each piece of art and appreciate the details, which
is something you can't do when even in November when
it's less.
Speaker 1 (28:01):
So I think it comes down to the rituals, the detail,
and you know that is why it's a VIP experience,
because that's kind of what you expect when you're having
a VIP experience in any context really, and I think
the one thing that story that really stands out to
me is that I think with the key Master's Tour,
(28:22):
when you get to the Sistine Chapel, someone gets to
choose the key to go into the Sistine Chapel, and
it might not be the one that you're expecting, you know,
like I have these visions of like a huge old
key that's very mysterious and hundreds of years old, and yeah,
I don't know if it's that one. I'm not going
to give anything away because that would spoil it for everyone.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
But yeah, you get to choose.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
Amazing and this year with a conclave, Oh it's even
more special. Here is where the all the cardinals. They've
been locked up inside the Assassant Chapel, so yeah.
Speaker 3 (29:00):
You can imagine that what was happening in there.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
I mean I was there just a few months before
and it was really cool because you know, I had
the kids there and they had hadn't been to the
Vatican museums before, so they were like, oh, yeah, you know,
there are only eleven so it's a lot to take in.
But when the conclave happened and I was able to
(29:23):
relate it back to what they'd seen, they were like, mind.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
Blown, we love this. We were there, we were but
just on keys. I understand. The Dwarmal key in Florence
is exactly what you imagine it. It's a big old key, but.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
You close up the opening close up, Yeah, but it's like.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
You're the last people and then you turn the lights
out and imagine to like to leave all that art
to just to rest in quiet.
Speaker 4 (29:53):
That's exactly what I'm thinking about above museums, Like I
imagine that the this art and all this masterpieces are
taking this moment of quiet during the night and they
are like resting in peace for these hours of the night.
And that's exactly how I picture this. Like in the
(30:15):
morning you wake up this art or you're just saying
goodbye and good night in the night. And yeah, I
think about the same about art when close up the
museums are reopening up.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Your daughter is very young, so she hasn't got to
this point, but the night at the museum excellent movies, And.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
That's what I think of as well. And you just wonder,
like as the art coming off the wall, and you
can just kind of pick your head.
Speaker 4 (30:41):
In Ghost of Michelangelo, or in the Roman Forum there's
Scissor Augustus. They're walking around in peace. We're not all
this tourists.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
Listen.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
I could walk the paths a million times, and I'm
sure I learn more and more things. But if you
are remotely interested in history or art or understanding more
about these incredible cities that have been there for thousands
of years, it's really worth the investment. I can't stress
(31:16):
that enough, because you're never gonna well, you might have
another you might had the opportunity to get, but I mean,
we never know when we're going back to Rome and
or we're going back to Florence. And so if you
have that passion, just scratch the itch and you know,
make it that thing that you want to invest in.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
I think because there doesn't have to be everything.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
Like some people love the Colosseum and ancient history and
are not very interested in art, and I say, good
for you. Go discover the history of ancient Rome, and
then other people who love art can go crazy in
the Vatican museums.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
And I think that's really where travels heading.
Speaker 4 (31:58):
Yeah, I'm very into archaol. So if they could give
me like the super special experience anywhere in the in
Pompeii or anywhere in the world, that's my thing.
Speaker 3 (32:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
So so being in the arena at the Colosseum and
something really special.
Speaker 1 (32:16):
I mean a lot of people want to go to
do the underground, but I just I think actually walking
out on the arena is the is a special thing.
Speaker 3 (32:23):
Have you done that lately?
Speaker 4 (32:26):
No, not really recently, but I've done it many, many times.
And yeah, first of all, you get to see the
Colosseum for that very special point of view. Do you
want to say the gladiator.
Speaker 3 (32:38):
Point of view?
Speaker 4 (32:38):
It's sad, but it's really you get to see the
old Colosseum and you're going to appreciate this incredible building
that is standing. That's what really impressed me more than
thinking about all the gladiators thing. And yes, and also
guides from that perspective have so many much other stories
(33:01):
to tell you about the Colosseum. Colossum is again another
site where I got one hundred different versions of stories
depending on the guide. You can describe it and talk
about the Colosseums from so many different angles that it's incredible,
but it's not just a colosseum. That's the thing. So
(33:24):
we have all the rest of archaeological area with a
palatine and the Roman Forum, and there's so much more
other places, like hidden places, the House of Augustus, at
the House of Livia, we got frescos inside, so you
can walk inside the house and see the frescoes like
you do in Pompeii. It's another layer of interest there
(33:47):
because we see Rome now just white because of the
travel time. But Rome was full of colors. It was
definitely a very If you want to say that, some
guy's going to kill me because I'm saying that it's
a tacky and colorful city. It wasn't white. So when
(34:07):
you're inside a house and you see all the colors
of the frescos, you're living Rome.
Speaker 3 (34:15):
That's the room from thousands of years ago. I was shocked.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
I didn't know that, you know, I can't remember when
I found that out, but I was like, oh, wow,
you know, it was very colorful. Yeah, And I think
you touched on a really good point there, Denise, because
the guides are what make this situation, and Denise, you've
been a guy yourself, so you know that this is a.
Speaker 3 (34:35):
High energy, high impact job.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
And how at walks do you find the people that
can deliver those stories Because there are thousands of GUIDs
in Rome, right and everyone has to pass the exam
and everyone has to be good credited to deliver the content.
But it's the way that the content's delivered that makes
it really special.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
Yeah, it's not just about the knowledge. If you're an
official guide, the knowledge is there, of course. Is the
way it's delivered, is the way you put together so
many informations and dates and popes and emperors and everything
into something that is very easy to remember, understand, enjoyable,
(35:22):
full of fun facts. In the end, what you're gonna
bring with you forever are the fun facts. You want
to know that the specific pope died in that specific
way that is weird, or that specific emperors had a
passion of for courses, just saying so, guides they need
to be storytellers. Otherwise you can just go on AI
(35:46):
and you ask your chat tipt to give your descriptions
of the coliseum. But the energy that the guides have
into delivers so many also hard informations to put together
their own books and they need to translate this into
a tour with an extreme heat in summer, with in
(36:08):
a very uncomfortable area like the archaeological area in rom
full of steps and ruins and these and that. And
I've seen joining tour a group of people that despite
forty degrees and all the other things I mentioned, like
not stopping looking at the guide and being focused for
three hours. And this is when I joined tour and
(36:31):
I'm just checking guides are there going I'm like, Wow,
these people are incredible. This is the type of guide
we want on our tour. And we passed a lot
in interviewing and a lot of questions. You're in the
interview and we believe in people. That's one thing. We
(36:52):
believe that tours are not just about having someone that
takes you around, but we invest in people. And I
have to say that our we guys are very special.
Speaker 1 (37:02):
I agree, Yeah, you can always tell, because I feel
like from a customer point of view that it's more
about entertainment rather than knowledge. I think you get all
of that for sure, but it's packaged in a way
that's engaging and not delivering facts or.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
Just repeating things over and over again.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
And like you said, the ability to think on their
feet and condense like what is like literally thousands of
years of information into a very short time space and
deliver it in a way that people can find interesting
is incredible skill in fact, and I do have to
say complimented to Walks because you do manage to find
(37:51):
some very talented people.
Speaker 3 (37:53):
And it does really make all the difference.
Speaker 4 (37:56):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (37:57):
And you know, we have worked with you guys for
a very long time time and the reason is because
we have a lot of respect for you and your colleagues,
because you've always been very generous and accommodating to the
people that we've sent your way as well. So it's
a pleasure to work with Walks and so exciting that
(38:19):
people can now experience these VIP options when they go
to the iconic cities in Italy.
Speaker 3 (38:26):
So Denise, thank you for sharing those jaw dropping experiences
with us.
Speaker 1 (38:31):
If our listeners are interested in learning more about them
and checking on availability, how can they get in touch
with Walks of Italy.
Speaker 4 (38:38):
They can check on our websites Walks of Italy, Antique Wooks.
All the special tours are lesser than different cities on
the wrong banis and Florence.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
Yes, okay, and we'll link to them and all your
social media sites on our website too, And I'm going
to put those photos up of the keys and the
climbing up the dome and the views from the draw well,
because it really is very special. And if you do
want something that is going to remind you of your trip,
then check them out. It's something that I don't think
(39:11):
anyone would really regret, and in fact, we have a
lot of people thanking us for passing on this information.
Speaker 3 (39:18):
So gratia, Denise.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
As I mentioned, while some of our team have joined
walks and been thrilled by these experiences, I am yet
to do them, except the alone in the Vatican.
Speaker 3 (39:27):
One day I will. I really want to do the
dimin Forwance.
Speaker 4 (39:32):
Thank you, thank you for having me here.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
Oh grat simle anytime, anytime, gaut to Denise.
Speaker 1 (39:43):
It's very interesting to me how these experiences are evolving
and changing over the years. I remember my first times
visiting the major sites that we mentioned in the show
in the nineteen nineties, way back.
Speaker 3 (39:54):
When, and simply being in awe of.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
What I was seeing right before my eyes that I'd
only read about books or i'd seen on TV, and
what happened was I was so inspired to learn more
and more about these places and return again and again.
Because you can see the best photos on Instagram or
the videos on YouTube, and you can read about them
or hear about them on a podcast like this, but
(40:18):
nothing be its standing in these places where history has
been made and hearing the stories and tales of what
makes those structures so important in our lives today, even
though a lot of the major events happened many many
centuries ago. Connecting the architecture and art back to people
and stories.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
Is what makes these sites come alive.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
And that is why, even though I think I've been
to the Vatican Museums maybe five or six times in
the last three years alone, I'll go.
Speaker 4 (40:46):
Back again and again with a guide who can take.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
Me on a journey while I'm standing in situ and
help me soak it all up. So, if you've got
a passion for history or art or architecture, or you
know someone who's headed to Italy who does, take a
look at these new VIP experiences, as you might just
find something there that will take your trip from memorable
to unforgettable.
Speaker 3 (41:10):
You'll find all the toolings.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
In our show notes at Untold Italy dot com forward
slash two eight five for episode number two hundred and
eighty five.
Speaker 3 (41:19):
Now that's all for today.
Speaker 1 (41:20):
Next week, once again I'm indulging my inner history geek,
and we're heading to Tuscany to learn all about the etruscans.
But until then, it's chow for now.
Speaker 5 (41:32):
The Untold Italy podcast is an independent production podcast editing,
audio production and website development by Mark Hatter, Production assistance
and content writing by the are they kJ Clark? Yes,
there are two of us. For more information about Untold Italy,
please visit Untold Italy dot com
Ever dreamed of having an Assistine chapel all to yourself,
or skipping the crowds in Venice to see the golden
mosaics of San Marco lit up after dark. In this episode,
we're joined by our friends at Walks to Italy to
reveal what really happens on their VIP tours of Rome,
Florence and Venice. From hidden doors to guides who know
every story behind ancient stones, you'll hear how these experiences
(00:22):
can turn your Italy trip from memorable to unforgettable.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Tawatuti and Benvenuti Tuan told Italy the travel podcast to
where you go to the towns and villages, mountains and lakes,
hills and coastlines of Ballet Italia. It's week your host
Katie Clark takes you on a journey in a search
of magical landscapes, history, culture, wine, gelato, and of course
(00:54):
a whole lot of pasta. If you're dreaming of Italy
and planning future adventures there, you've come to the right place.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
One John Nor friends commaste, hope you're ready for another
Italian adventure andiamum.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Today we're doing a grand.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Tour of sorts and taking a look at the very
special experiences you can now have in Italy's iconic cities Rome,
Florence and Venice. I'm joined by my friend and he's
Pantaleo from Walks of Italy, one of the longest running
and popular tour companies operating in Italy, and they started
in twenty ten, I believe, and I remember my mum
(01:39):
saying she enjoyed their tours on a trip way back when.
So they've been entertaining and educating visitors to Italy for
a very long time and know how to showcase the
world famous sites of Italy through storytelling rather than dry
packs and figures. They've recently added some VIP or very
special experiences to their list of tours on offer, and
(02:00):
Denise is going to share what to expect if you
choose these experiences over a standard tour of the Vatican Museums, Coliseum, Florence,
Dormal and Saint Mark's in Venice. If you're a history,
art or architecture lover, or you have a deep connection
to the Catholic Church, these are the five star experiences
worth splurging on. Let's hear all about them. Ben to Denise,
(02:22):
Welcome back to the until Vishally Podcast.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Talk it In. Thank you for welcoming back here. Very
happy to be here.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
It's always great to have you on this show. And
you know, we've known each other a few years now.
In fact, I believe it was you who taught my
kids how to use the Roman Nazne water fountains and
now they know how to squirt everyone.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
About it.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
That's okay, it's always good, but it's hot. But I'd
love to introduce you to our audience, but I think
the best way to do that is for you to
tell everyone all about yourself and Walks tours to our listeners.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Yes, So my name is Denise. I was born and
raised in the northeast of Italy, but about twenty years
ago I moved to Rome. I fall in love with
Rome and other things, and I decided to stay in
this city. The city really tugged me so tight that
I couldn't leave. I started working with Walks about ten
(03:24):
years ago, and then further Vour also four years ago,
and currently I am the ground operation manager for Walks
and the Vauer in Roman Pompey. Why I've been working
for Walks ten years because I love the people that
work for Walks and the way we care about crafting
the experiences for our guests and visitors and we really
(03:48):
care about having done the best experience they can.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
It's so true and the very creative people. And we're
going to hear about that in a minute. But Walks
has really come a long way, has it it? I
think it's over fifteen years old. I think, Yes, that's
a lot of.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Tours, a lot of tours, a lot of people.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
It's a lot of people, especially as it's in you know,
and it's now all over Europe, but in some of
the busiest cities in the world. And I imagine the
teams learned a few things along the way and each
and every season because you're dealing with hundreds of people
actually every day going to these major sites. So and
I know that you're always tweaking the experience to make
(04:27):
sure that they are special. And because what I know
about Walks is that you do understand these trips are
very very big and important for a lot of people,
and it's not something that people do every day, so
you want to make sure that they're memorable for all
the right reasons.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Yes, you can dream about the system chapel for years
and maybe you have one chance to see it. So
we need to go above and beyond to make sure
that one time experience in your life is just the
perfect one. Were the perfect guide because are big, big,
big piece of the whole experience. Their storytelling, their knowledge,
(05:07):
their stories what makes the system chapel alive, and it
changes every time with every guide you are with.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
I know, I've been on so many tours in the
Vatican Museums and it is different every single time.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
I learned something new.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
And I mean, this is a huge expense of art
and history in the one spot, so of course there's
so many stories to tell.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
But you know, what I really appreciate going with Walks
is that you.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Can have a totally different experience based on the person's
expertise and their interests as well. I think last time
we went this was a private experience that I know
Walks are now offering too. With someone who had really
strong interest in Egyptian mythology. Well my son was right
into that and we went into the Egyptian mythology. I've
(06:01):
never been there before. How interesting it was fantastic. So
but what we wanted to talk to about today is
you've got some new new Ish VIP experiences and this
is about taking those iconic moments to another level. Is
there a reason why you've created these?
Speaker 5 (06:21):
Is it?
Speaker 4 (06:21):
I think that as I was saying, going to the
coliseum or going to some mark, going to the Darman
for Florence is definitely on your bucket list, I would
make a parallel with food, which is my passion, and
I have to You can dream of the perfect carbonata,
or you can dream about a carbonada. But carbonata can
(06:42):
be a carbonada, or it can be the carbonada. So
if I can make a parallel with the Vatican or
visiting the Assistant Chapel or the Duom on some mark
can be your experience. Visiting the assistant Chapel or can
be the experience. So I don't want to say that
(07:03):
that carbonada is not good. Or it can be good
and perfect and it will stay in your memories forever,
or it can beat the carbonada you will talk about
with your friends back home forever and you're going to
make your friends like dreaming of it. So it's just
two levels of the experience, and I have to compare
(07:25):
it to a carbonada. Of course, sorry for the cyst
in Chapel. Sorry, Michaelangelo, but the Carabanada is a masterpiece
if you want. So the experiences we have, I don't
like exclusive because it's cutting off a lot of things.
They're special. That's what in the end these tours are
(07:48):
and what will stay in the memories are really special memories.
So it's easy to describe them like beat the crowds
and this and that. The reality is that when you
are stepping inside the Vatican Museums early morning before it's
open to the general public, and you walk through the
(08:08):
museums with a key master, and you see that it's
lighting on all the different rooms and you feel all
this art around you, You're soaking those energy that probably
there's two spread it with too many people during the day.
So honestly, when I'm traveling, for example, I decide, okay,
(08:29):
there's one amount I save on the side for something special,
something that I want to leave one hundred percent. And
these type of tours are that kind of thing. It's
not Michelen restaurant compared to a tratoria, but something like that.
It's that kind of experience that can be really taken
(08:51):
to another level.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Yeah, I would agree, So I'm going to confess now,
I have not had the opportunity to speak any of
these VIP experiences, but the Untold Italy team have and
they are very impressed. Actually, so I think one of
the ones that we could probably talk about in a
bit more detail is the key Master's Tour.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
So I have actually experienced the alone in.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
The Vatican Museum's tour myself, which is an amazing tour.
And I have and I'm going to put the photos
up with these episode show notes of me walking through
those galleries and it is un believable, like because you
are there with very few people in this one, it's
it's mind blowing, especially if you've maybe been before and
(09:41):
you've walked there with hundreds of people, and like I've
done both experiences, both recently, it is a whole other opportunity.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
When you are there in those galleries with very few people,
you can.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Really take in what's going on around you, like it
is due pendous this art.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
It is unbelievable. It blows your mind.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
And I think in an hour or two or three
that you have when you're going through these galleries, it's
very you know, like if you're surrounded by people and
paying attention to everything around you like that. It's exciting,
but it's also a totally different experience when you're there
with a very small group, and what you're able to
do then is explore what those galleries mean to you.
(10:29):
One example that I'd love to give is that when
we went down through the gallery.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Of maps, the guide.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Was helping us figure out where's your family from because
my husband's family is Italian, so they.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Was like, oh, where's your family from? Men?
Speaker 1 (10:44):
So she was very kind and she took a photo
of us in front of the town or the area
where my husband's mum's from. And it was so nice,
you know, because that was something really special that you
wouldn't be able to do on a normal day.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
I think. I mean, it's not because guys are different
or they don't want to. It's because it's just this
stream of crowd and you just need to go, so
you're allowed to do this little things that really make
the tour different. You can appreciate details of paintings. While
(11:19):
on a regular tour, GUIDs are doing above and beyond
to give you all the context of this painter and
colors and describe the painting as much as they can
but without a crowd and having more time, you can
really appreciate the colors and details. It's about details, yeah, absolutely,
(11:40):
time you call details.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
It's like getting the best que Charlie on your carbonara.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Right, exactly exactly Like it's the way that when challie
is cooked with more time and more curated, that makes
the difference. In the end, the carbonara and regulatory fier
is good can be much better.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
I agree.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
You need time to cure like Gangel properly, which is
the same thing as going through taking your time in
the Vatican museums. Another memory that I have of the
alone in the Vatican Museums tour is like actually looking
out of the window that the Pope looks out of
and watching the sun come up over the rooftops of
the city. And it's for me, it's very emotional because
(12:27):
I really now.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
These days have a very strong connection to.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Rome and I love that view of the of the
sun coming up. And also the other thing that I
love in autumn and winter when there's is it the
starlings or the swallows and they come out themmemoration and
there's big huge birds that come in waves over the
city and it's it's almost like a movie.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
It's beautiful. But you know, when I was talking to
Olivia and Mary on the Untold Italy team about their
experience on their t Master's tour, is.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
It's the actual opening of each gallery and the sort
of dropping of the breath, you know, just unbelievable, just
having that experience of seeing the lights go on and
all of those precious, precious artworks eliminated.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
It's incredible. I've experienced it myself. The key master A
tour was just after COVID, so I have pictures with masks.
It's unbelievable. You are inside the Sistant Chapel with no
one and they just turn on the light. You are
in the middle of the Sistant Chapel at Boom you
have the blue of the Michelangelo paintings that just you
(13:40):
just goose bumps everywhere. It's incredible and you can stay there,
you can appreciate the paintings without having anyone that's pushing
your too many people. And also in the alone Vatican tour,
guys are allowed to explain in the Sistant Chapel why
in regular tours a land so you are, you're there
(14:01):
and the guide is really pointing everything you need to notice,
you need to keep it with yourself forever. And yeah,
you were talking about the timing of the day when
the special doors are, and also in Florence and Venice,
in Venice's evening's after hour and in Florence's sunset. So
believe there is some timing of the day where everything
(14:23):
looks more special. Sunsets or sunrise, these places are much special.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Yeah, yeah, it's gold now they call it.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
So Mary just went on up to Florence and did
the alone in the drama up there, and she said
it was unbelievable because it's.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Just so everyone knows.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
For people on my team have really got a passion
for Italy and so either it's through food and wine
or it's through history and culture. Mary is a very
strong background and lots of studies in history, and she's
been like me, she geeks out on all of that stuff.
And she said to me, before we just got so
close to everything, and I just felt so connected to
(15:07):
the city of Florence. All I could see was the
city laid out before me, and it was unbelievable, she said,
it was. You know, I loved looking at the artwork
on the dome and I just felt like I was
part of it, that I could almost sense the work
that had gone into it, all of the thousands of
people that have created this artwork to make it so magical.
(15:29):
And yeah, she couldn't talk about it enough, and I
was like, wait, I need to do that one next
time I'm in Florence. I haven't climbed the dome for
a very long time.
Speaker 4 (15:40):
And also best when in Florence and the key master.
In Rome, they have a key master, so you get
to know that there's actually a human being that is
a key master and is in charge of opening and closing.
So it's even knowing that there are some jobs that
you don't even think about it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
And the rituals and like I've seen the actually and
we will post these on our show notes as well,
the actual keys for the key masters to are the keyholder.
It looks like these hundreds of keys on it, Like
I don't know how they know which and rich like
obviously it's probably in an order, like that's how I
would do it with my pipe brain, but like it's
(16:22):
so amazing to see that, yeah, right, there's a job
and that someone's responsible for this very important ritual that
goes on every day, but that very few people get
to see.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
I like this thing you're mentioning about rituals. These are places.
They're so special, places so full of arts, and all
this art is the energy of the artists they're behind that,
and the willings of bulbs and noble families. So they're
so much layers of energy of creativity and the willings
(16:58):
of having This place is magical and beautiful and the esthetic.
The rituals are important because you point out the importance
of this place, of being there. It's not just a church,
it's not just a museum. It's something that has been
created because someone believed in it. So rituals are important.
(17:19):
You highlight the importance of this place. And do we
need today in twenty twenty five a key master? It
looks so all school that you have actually someone and
is opening doors with a key. Yes, you need it
because this place is special.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
And not only for the art, but also the history
and who's walked there before. I mean, you know, remember
sometimes we think, oh, we need to go see the
sister in chapel, but remember who made it and how
he did it, and the passion and the time and
the energy and just the dedication. I mean, I think
he was in the nineties when he was still painting.
(17:57):
He was very old, Mike Michelangelo when he was painting
that Sistine Chapel, And you can really get a sense
of that when you're there and on your own, you're able.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
To ask questions and just have that connection either to
the Sistine Chapel or the Duomoor in Bruneleski's Dome in Florence.
And what I think is important here is this is
not for everyone, right, because this is something if you
are obsessed by art, or you have a very strong
(18:30):
connection to the church or you or you're really into history,
then you are really going to geek out on this
stuff like me.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
But you know, it's not for everyone, right.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
So if you think that going there is like something
that's cool to do and you want to take some
photos and say that you've seen it and appreciate that
you've seen it, that is amazing, and there is plenty
of options to do that. But this type of experience
is really for someone that is kind of obsessed with
(19:00):
history or art or connecting with the past.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
Yeah, definitely. As I was saying before, you have someone
really into food. You don't just stop yourself to researching
good trati and osteriia, but you want to go to
the next level. And yes, it's going to be an
investment because it's probably more expensive than a regular dinner
in a regular to wear the Vatican or the Colosseum,
(19:27):
but you having the experience. Also, I was thinking about
I don't know if it's the same thing around the world,
but when you get married here, you ask your friends
or family to put some money for your honeymoon and
help you getting the perfect honeymoon and contribute to pay
the honeymoon. This is something I would gift a couple
(19:51):
of friends they're really into art, or they want to
have the best experience there. Don't just go at the Colosseum,
but go in the arena. So I want that when
you're going to be in Rome or Florence or Venice,
you're going to think about me like I gifted you
the experience. Just making an example, but it's like gifting
(20:13):
a Michelin star restaurant. Because I want you, I love
you as friends, and I want you have the best experience.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
I'm really wondering why no one's gifted me those experiences.
To be honest, Come on.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
You want me to talk to your friends.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Yeah, I think we need to. We need to have
a chat to know.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
But it's so true, Like gifting experiences is something that
I've been passionate about for a while now because we
all have too much stuff.
Speaker 4 (20:42):
Yeah, you think about one stuff. Your order is online
and two hours later is in your house. But experiences
is different.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
And I think whether you're standing in the Sistine Chapel
admiring that, or you're standing out on the in the
Palatine Hill walking in the steps of Julius Caesar, it's
a totally different memory. Then you know, perhaps you're getting
that book that you ordered on Amazon, because in the
end of the day, it's really ten books you buy
on Amazon. I mean, I mean, I love reading, but
(21:13):
something like that was going to stay with you forever.
The other one that Mary enjoyed recently that she really
loved was in Venice.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
She said, this was incredible.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
So the latest VIP one is in Venice after dark
and you go into some marco and turn the lights on.
You're from that region, Dedas and that's a very special church,
isn't it.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
That one.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
It's super special. So as a kid raised in the
Venice area at the primary school that were taking us
through Venice every year, that was thing. You go to Banics,
Venice is very close to your school. You go to
Venice every year. And when I started working for Walks
and we start having this experience, I was like, why
(21:59):
I've been taking to them mark many many times, but
I never got to experience this because this is special.
Of course, so I know with the daylight what this
golden dome looks like, but I mean being there after
hours in the dark and then the turn on the light. Wow,
It's just unbelievable. As a kid, I would have dreamed
(22:22):
to see this and I couldn't experience this yet. But
everyone that took this stur and this experience, they're just enthusiastic.
Is incredible.
Speaker 3 (22:36):
It is supposed to be. I'm so jealous.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
I'm just I'm a big, massive fan of Venice and
I love everything about the history and the culture of Venice.
I'm obsessed with it and I think it's the ultimate
expression of the city. But you also have that sense
of mystery and wonder, which I think is the city itself.
And one thing that Mary said that you can do
(23:01):
there is you go see the Paladoro, which most people miss,
which is that very special icon that you can go
and see.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
This is like magical piece of art.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
That is, it's not on the standard tour, so you
can only go there if it's very special. So not
only do you see the lighting up of the golden mosaics,
but you also go into some special areas of the church,
which is very very unique. And yeah, if you're into
Byzantine art, if you are particularly religious, or you have
(23:34):
got a really strong connection to the Catholic Church, then
this is really a very very special experience.
Speaker 3 (23:40):
And I have to say as well.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
You know, Venice is very well known for being very busy,
and most people will go straight does a Marco go there,
go to the Doge's palace, go to the rialto.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Bridge, and that will be their experience. And in fact,
the reason Venice is busy is because it gets a
lot of day trippers.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
So when these people have lived for the day and
you have your magical experience in San Marco, I think
I'm coveraging that one big time.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
That will put that on my wish list.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
Yes, definitely me too. This is something I want to
do and Also because these stores, all these stores are
early morning or late afternoon, you can really dedicate that
special moment to the special time of the day and
focus during the day to other things. So you know
that must to see, must to visit place is scheduled
(24:37):
sometimes in early morning or late afternoon, and you're okay
with that. You're going to live it in its best.
But the rest of the day you're going to dedicate
yourself into completely different things. So when all the people
are going to the Vatican, you are going to other
places they're less crowded, and you're going to leave all
the best of everything. Basically will We'll be having.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
A long lunch with your excellent carbonara, for sure, and
in Venice chiquetti, go have some chiquetti, Go have your
gondola ride.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
But it's such a smart thing to do.
Speaker 1 (25:12):
In fact, is to actually organize your day, especially also
when it's hot, to organize seeing these major sites in
the evening and the afternoon. But it's not about logistics.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
These experience they're very, very special, and I'm very jealous
of everyone that's done.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
But I can only say from my experience at the
alone at the Vatican, it is one of those things
that I'll never forget because having the contrast of my
previous experience, which was, you know, not being able to
appreciate what was happening around me, and then having those
moments in the Sistine Chapel is just incredible.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
Yeah, that was exactly the goal of that experience. Maybe
you're not going to remember all the details of the tour,
but what you remember is the feeling you have, and
this is what makes an experience versus a tour exactly.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
And I was saying to Denise earlier that you know,
Italian wages are not what they are in some of
our countries, so for everyone that's listening, so some of
these experiences are really out of reach of you know,
your average Italian.
Speaker 3 (26:20):
So when I've had some of my team who.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Are Italian go on these trips, I think they've been
maybe a little bit skeptical, I would say, to experience them,
and then they've been on them and they have just
been wowed and they get quite emotional actually, because you know,
in Italy you study very hard the art, history and history,
not that we do in our countries, so they're very
(26:44):
very aware of that and they may not have ever
had the opportunity to go and see and experience their
culture in this way. And Olivia who's on our team
as well, her husband Andrea, he's he's a big historyated
like me. Now he just cannot stop writing about the
key Master's tour and he would do it again and
(27:06):
again and again.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
I told you I've been taken from my school many, many,
many times in St. Mark because you had to as
kids raising that area, you need to get to know
what is specially in your area. But I'm dreaming of
that experience and then in a completely different way. And
I've been because of work many times in the Vatican
(27:31):
museums but also on my own. But when I went
on a key Master tour, it was a completely different experience.
Like I told myself, I've been in the Tapestry Gallery,
I don't want to say a hundred times, a little
less but very close to and it was a completely
different experience. I could stand in front of on front
(27:52):
of each piece of art and appreciate the details, which
is something you can't do when even in November when
it's less.
Speaker 1 (28:01):
So I think it comes down to the rituals, the detail,
and you know that is why it's a VIP experience,
because that's kind of what you expect when you're having
a VIP experience in any context really, and I think
the one thing that story that really stands out to
me is that I think with the key Master's Tour,
(28:22):
when you get to the Sistine Chapel, someone gets to
choose the key to go into the Sistine Chapel, and
it might not be the one that you're expecting, you know,
like I have these visions of like a huge old
key that's very mysterious and hundreds of years old, and yeah,
I don't know if it's that one. I'm not going
to give anything away because that would spoil it for everyone.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
But yeah, you get to choose.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
Amazing and this year with a conclave, Oh it's even
more special. Here is where the all the cardinals. They've
been locked up inside the Assassant Chapel, so yeah.
Speaker 3 (29:00):
You can imagine that what was happening in there.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
I mean I was there just a few months before
and it was really cool because you know, I had
the kids there and they had hadn't been to the
Vatican museums before, so they were like, oh, yeah, you know,
there are only eleven so it's a lot to take in.
But when the conclave happened and I was able to
(29:23):
relate it back to what they'd seen, they were like, mind.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
Blown, we love this. We were there, we were but
just on keys. I understand. The Dwarmal key in Florence
is exactly what you imagine it. It's a big old key, but.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
You close up the opening close up, Yeah, but it's like.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
You're the last people and then you turn the lights
out and imagine to like to leave all that art
to just to rest in quiet.
Speaker 4 (29:53):
That's exactly what I'm thinking about above museums, Like I
imagine that the this art and all this masterpieces are
taking this moment of quiet during the night and they
are like resting in peace for these hours of the night.
And that's exactly how I picture this. Like in the
(30:15):
morning you wake up this art or you're just saying
goodbye and good night in the night. And yeah, I
think about the same about art when close up the
museums are reopening up.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Your daughter is very young, so she hasn't got to
this point, but the night at the museum excellent movies, And.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
That's what I think of as well. And you just wonder,
like as the art coming off the wall, and you
can just kind of pick your head.
Speaker 4 (30:41):
In Ghost of Michelangelo, or in the Roman Forum there's
Scissor Augustus. They're walking around in peace. We're not all
this tourists.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
Listen.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
I could walk the paths a million times, and I'm
sure I learn more and more things. But if you
are remotely interested in history or art or understanding more
about these incredible cities that have been there for thousands
of years, it's really worth the investment. I can't stress
(31:16):
that enough, because you're never gonna well, you might have
another you might had the opportunity to get, but I mean,
we never know when we're going back to Rome and
or we're going back to Florence. And so if you
have that passion, just scratch the itch and you know,
make it that thing that you want to invest in.
Speaker 3 (31:36):
I think because there doesn't have to be everything.
Speaker 1 (31:38):
Like some people love the Colosseum and ancient history and
are not very interested in art, and I say, good
for you. Go discover the history of ancient Rome, and
then other people who love art can go crazy in
the Vatican museums.
Speaker 3 (31:55):
And I think that's really where travels heading.
Speaker 4 (31:58):
Yeah, I'm very into archaol. So if they could give
me like the super special experience anywhere in the in
Pompeii or anywhere in the world, that's my thing.
Speaker 3 (32:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (32:11):
So so being in the arena at the Colosseum and
something really special.
Speaker 1 (32:16):
I mean a lot of people want to go to
do the underground, but I just I think actually walking
out on the arena is the is a special thing.
Speaker 3 (32:23):
Have you done that lately?
Speaker 4 (32:26):
No, not really recently, but I've done it many, many times.
And yeah, first of all, you get to see the
Colosseum for that very special point of view. Do you
want to say the gladiator.
Speaker 3 (32:38):
Point of view?
Speaker 4 (32:38):
It's sad, but it's really you get to see the
old Colosseum and you're going to appreciate this incredible building
that is standing. That's what really impressed me more than
thinking about all the gladiators thing. And yes, and also
guides from that perspective have so many much other stories
(33:01):
to tell you about the Colosseum. Colossum is again another
site where I got one hundred different versions of stories
depending on the guide. You can describe it and talk
about the Colosseums from so many different angles that it's incredible,
but it's not just a colosseum. That's the thing. So
(33:24):
we have all the rest of archaeological area with a
palatine and the Roman Forum, and there's so much more
other places, like hidden places, the House of Augustus, at
the House of Livia, we got frescos inside, so you
can walk inside the house and see the frescoes like
you do in Pompeii. It's another layer of interest there
(33:47):
because we see Rome now just white because of the
travel time. But Rome was full of colors. It was
definitely a very If you want to say that, some
guy's going to kill me because I'm saying that it's
a tacky and colorful city. It wasn't white. So when
(34:07):
you're inside a house and you see all the colors
of the frescos, you're living Rome.
Speaker 3 (34:15):
That's the room from thousands of years ago. I was shocked.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
I didn't know that, you know, I can't remember when
I found that out, but I was like, oh, wow,
you know, it was very colorful. Yeah, And I think
you touched on a really good point there, Denise, because
the guides are what make this situation, and Denise, you've
been a guy yourself, so you know that this is a.
Speaker 3 (34:35):
High energy, high impact job.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
And how at walks do you find the people that
can deliver those stories Because there are thousands of GUIDs
in Rome, right and everyone has to pass the exam
and everyone has to be good credited to deliver the content.
But it's the way that the content's delivered that makes
it really special.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
Yeah, it's not just about the knowledge. If you're an
official guide, the knowledge is there, of course. Is the
way it's delivered, is the way you put together so
many informations and dates and popes and emperors and everything
into something that is very easy to remember, understand, enjoyable,
(35:22):
full of fun facts. In the end, what you're gonna
bring with you forever are the fun facts. You want
to know that the specific pope died in that specific
way that is weird, or that specific emperors had a
passion of for courses, just saying so, guides they need
to be storytellers. Otherwise you can just go on AI
(35:46):
and you ask your chat tipt to give your descriptions
of the coliseum. But the energy that the guides have
into delivers so many also hard informations to put together
their own books and they need to translate this into
a tour with an extreme heat in summer, with in
(36:08):
a very uncomfortable area like the archaeological area in rom
full of steps and ruins and these and that. And
I've seen joining tour a group of people that despite
forty degrees and all the other things I mentioned, like
not stopping looking at the guide and being focused for
three hours. And this is when I joined tour and
(36:31):
I'm just checking guides are there going I'm like, Wow,
these people are incredible. This is the type of guide
we want on our tour. And we passed a lot
in interviewing and a lot of questions. You're in the
interview and we believe in people. That's one thing. We
(36:52):
believe that tours are not just about having someone that
takes you around, but we invest in people. And I
have to say that our we guys are very special.
Speaker 1 (37:02):
I agree, Yeah, you can always tell, because I feel
like from a customer point of view that it's more
about entertainment rather than knowledge. I think you get all
of that for sure, but it's packaged in a way
that's engaging and not delivering facts or.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
Just repeating things over and over again.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
And like you said, the ability to think on their
feet and condense like what is like literally thousands of
years of information into a very short time space and
deliver it in a way that people can find interesting
is incredible skill in fact, and I do have to
say complimented to Walks because you do manage to find
(37:51):
some very talented people.
Speaker 3 (37:53):
And it does really make all the difference.
Speaker 4 (37:56):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (37:57):
And you know, we have worked with you guys for
a very long time time and the reason is because
we have a lot of respect for you and your colleagues,
because you've always been very generous and accommodating to the
people that we've sent your way as well. So it's
a pleasure to work with Walks and so exciting that
(38:19):
people can now experience these VIP options when they go
to the iconic cities in Italy.
Speaker 3 (38:26):
So Denise, thank you for sharing those jaw dropping experiences
with us.
Speaker 1 (38:31):
If our listeners are interested in learning more about them
and checking on availability, how can they get in touch
with Walks of Italy.
Speaker 4 (38:38):
They can check on our websites Walks of Italy, Antique Wooks.
All the special tours are lesser than different cities on
the wrong banis and Florence.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
Yes, okay, and we'll link to them and all your
social media sites on our website too, And I'm going
to put those photos up of the keys and the
climbing up the dome and the views from the draw well,
because it really is very special. And if you do
want something that is going to remind you of your trip,
then check them out. It's something that I don't think
(39:11):
anyone would really regret, and in fact, we have a
lot of people thanking us for passing on this information.
Speaker 3 (39:18):
So gratia, Denise.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
As I mentioned, while some of our team have joined
walks and been thrilled by these experiences, I am yet
to do them, except the alone in the Vatican.
Speaker 3 (39:27):
One day I will. I really want to do the
dimin Forwance.
Speaker 4 (39:32):
Thank you, thank you for having me here.
Speaker 3 (39:35):
Oh grat simle anytime, anytime, gaut to Denise.
Speaker 1 (39:43):
It's very interesting to me how these experiences are evolving
and changing over the years. I remember my first times
visiting the major sites that we mentioned in the show
in the nineteen nineties, way back.
Speaker 3 (39:54):
When, and simply being in awe of.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
What I was seeing right before my eyes that I'd
only read about books or i'd seen on TV, and
what happened was I was so inspired to learn more
and more about these places and return again and again.
Because you can see the best photos on Instagram or
the videos on YouTube, and you can read about them
or hear about them on a podcast like this, but
(40:18):
nothing be its standing in these places where history has
been made and hearing the stories and tales of what
makes those structures so important in our lives today, even
though a lot of the major events happened many many
centuries ago. Connecting the architecture and art back to people
and stories.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
Is what makes these sites come alive.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
And that is why, even though I think I've been
to the Vatican Museums maybe five or six times in
the last three years alone, I'll go.
Speaker 4 (40:46):
Back again and again with a guide who can take.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
Me on a journey while I'm standing in situ and
help me soak it all up. So, if you've got
a passion for history or art or architecture, or you
know someone who's headed to Italy who does, take a
look at these new VIP experiences, as you might just
find something there that will take your trip from memorable
to unforgettable.
Speaker 3 (41:10):
You'll find all the toolings.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
In our show notes at Untold Italy dot com forward
slash two eight five for episode number two hundred and
eighty five.
Speaker 3 (41:19):
Now that's all for today.
Speaker 1 (41:20):
Next week, once again I'm indulging my inner history geek,
and we're heading to Tuscany to learn all about the etruscans.
But until then, it's chow for now.
Speaker 5 (41:32):
The Untold Italy podcast is an independent production podcast editing,
audio production and website development by Mark Hatter, Production assistance
and content writing by the are they kJ Clark? Yes,
there are two of us. For more information about Untold Italy,
please visit Untold Italy dot com
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