1st day in Rome and Borghese Gallery questions

We visited the Gallery a few years ago. It was beyond awesome! We were led to believe that reservations were required. No tour was necessary, Rick does a good tutorial in his book. I would suggest you make reservations on line. it was fairly easy, just follow on line directions. The beauty of the Borghese is the limited number of people allowed in at one time. The visit is thereby very relaxed and enjoyable as opposed to trying to see the Mona Lisa, for example, in Paris. We did not buy the Rome pass, just the Borgheses tickets. Don't miss the gallery! Hank, novato, Ca.

If you are going to use the pass you must telephone for reservations. Just showing up with the pass is not enough.

When you saw the "seats" comment it tell me you were in the right place. It caught me the first time - now I just laugh. Clearly they bought software that is designed for seats in a theatre. It works. But that only works for normal tickets that you pay for when you get there.

If you use the pass - unless something has changed - you must call them. Remember the time zones, and remember that Europe doesn't change the clocks until the end of the month.

Perhaps you were on a third-party site that packages a tour with the ticket. The key issue is whether you can get the date and time you want with a non-Borghese product (i.e. a pass from a third-party. Do you have any other reason/hope for buying that product if you're not doing much the first day?) If you can possibly buy from the gallery itself, that is the best option. The problem is advance timing. Do you mean NEXT "friday"???? If so, you may be stuck with a third party and their markup and the slight danger of a rip-off.

Have you learned that the Borghese Gallery admits everyone at once on two-hour intervals, and you have to leave after two hours? You are quite correct that this is a must-see and must-do, so try your best to get a ticket. Because I used the actual gallery site, I can't help with the Rome pass, but it has been discussed here before -Search box top center.

I think the Galleria Borghese is a bit much for a jet lagged day and you won’t maximize your enjoyment. Here is how we approach a first day.

Get to the hotel (in your case about 930 if the plane is on time). Check in if possible (you might email them a couple of days before you fly to find out if you are likely to get your room that early). If you can check in, unpack, shower, and go out for lunch. Do not nap yet! If the room is not available, stow your luggage, get a coffee and cornetto, go for a walk, buy your Roma Pass, get lunch, then return to the hotel for unpack/shower and perhaps a short nap. I find a 60 to 90 minute nap about 1600 does wonder for me on day one.

About 1800 go out for a walk. The Italians call this the passeggiata and it is a lovely cultural tradition. 1900 is early for dinner, but suitable Night One, so relax over dinner and allow yourselves to crash at 2100. You will probably be awake before dawn, but after a couple of cycles you’ll be more-or-less on, local time.

I also agree that seeing a museum on your arrival day may not be a good idea. Walking around is the best. Some people say you should power through your arrival day - we do better with a short mid-afternoon nap.

Thank-you so much for all of your suggestions! I'm going to go with walking around the 1st day. We'll do the Borghese Gallery on day 2. I don't see an audio tour of that on Rick Steves' app I downloaded.

OH, I just realized there is a tutorial in his book, not an audio tour.

BUT make sure you have advance reservations -- walk-ins have to wait to see if someone with reservations doesn't show up.

Right, thank-you! I will call and reserve our tickets before we leave home!

Annette

If you're still going in April, call NOW and make your reservations. Just tell them you're using the Rome Pass, which you don't need to purchase until you arrive in Rome.

Yes, we're going in April. Thanks for that tip!! I thought I needed to get the pass 1st. I'll reserve our time for Saturday and get the Roma Pass on Friday when we arrive.

Definitely go with Laurel's very wise advice to leave museum visit to another day! We've been in no shape on arrival day for indoor attractions which demand a lot of our attention - and the Borghese demands attention! - so spending the rest of your day just getting your bearings in the fresh air is a better plan. There are many terrific rambles for doing that in Rome!

Editing to add: understand that if you are buying a 72-hour Roma Pass with free entrance to two attractions and wish to see the Colosseum as your 2nd choice, you must now also make a prior reservation for an timed entry to that one as well. From the Roma Pass FAQ:
http://www.romapass.it/en/FAQ/

"For the Coliseum, Roma Pass holders can make a reservation in three ways:
On-line, on the website ecm.coopculture.it – required booking fee 2€ (with credit card)
Call center at 0639967575 – required booking fee 2€ (with credit card)
At the Roman Forum - Palatine ticket offices, only on the day of the visit (upon availability)- the ticket office will issue a free receipt with the admission time."

Tha audio guide at the Borghese is excellent. We went through twice before getting it on our third visit and it was a very positive addition to our enjoyment.