How to skip the queues at the world's most popular attractions

Planning a trip to Paris to visit the Eiffel Tower? Or a city break in Rome to explore the magnificent Colosseum? Days out at some of the world's most famous tourist attractions often means queuing for hours to get inside. Fortunately, skip-the-line tickets and tours allow you to save time and feel like a VIP while you browse magnificent museums, cathedrals and sprawling palace complexes around the globe.

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New York's Empire State Building, for instance, attracts hordes of tourists (3.5 million a year, to be precise) but with a VIP pass, you'll head straight past the people with regular tickets to the elevator before whizzing to the 86th floor and taking in the iconic views of the Big Apple without the wait.

It's no surprise that the Vatican's Sistine Chapel sees a huge amount of travellers, but if you don't fancy joining the crowds to view Michelangelo's masterpiece, you can be the first to have exclusive, early morning priority access to the Vatican Museums before they open to the general public, entering the Sistine Chapel through a dedicated door and absorbing the magnificent work of art on an intimate tour.

Skipping the lines is terrific for families too. What better way to introduce the kids to the world of Roman emperors and gladiators than a stress-free tour of the Colosseum? As well as heading straight into the ancient amphitheatre, you'll learn fun facts and enjoy role-playing sessions and challenges. And forget queuing for the rides at Disney World as the VIP Tour allows you to hop on a ride when you choose, experience door-to-door transportation, VIP seating for parades and shows, plus your own guide to take you round the theme park.

Check out the world's best attractions for skipping the queues and feeling like a VIP on holiday.