2 Rome questions

What Sarah means is that there isn't SUPPOSED to be any talking in the Sistine Chapel. :-) The fact that she says the guards kept yelling this tips you off to the reality that it's a very LOUD experience when it's open to the public (as opposed to private tour groups). Happy travels.

The vatican museums really depend on the time of year you go. During the peak season there will be a line up in the halls leading to the sistine chapel that could take a while to get through. During the slower seasons I would suggest getting there as early as you can in order to go as fast as you can. With only 45 minutes you won't have time for much else other than making a bee line to the chapel. It still takes about a half hour of brisk walking to get there so 45 minutes will get you there and give you a few minutes to look around. As for the HO/HO bus, there are several different ones. Check TA for reviews of them. I don't use them as the city is so easy to walk but you'll find lots of reviews on TA. Donna

I just booked a semi-private tour of the Vatican/Sistine chapel with Through Eternity tours that gets us in before the chapel opens to the general public. Maybe you could do a short, private tour that does the same? Also keep in mind there is no talking in the Sistine Chapel, and when i was there last April the guards were constantly yelling for people to be silent. That might be tough with such young children.

I was last in the Sistine Chapel in Nov. 2010. It was packed and we took an hour of fast walking in crowds to get there. Your children would be miserable. There is never a time when the chapel is not crowded and completely inappropriate for young children. The early-before-it-opens tours, and there are several, start at 8 am sharp. Wow, I sound really dogmatic here, but I feel for little children taken to places they can not appreciate. Maybe each parent can see the Sistine separately while the other does fun things with your children.

Love it, Peggy. When I was 5, my parents took us all to see the Grand Canyon. I was much more interested in the chipmunks that approached our car, and couldn't give a rip about one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. :-)

Thanks so much guys! I guess we'll skip the Vatican this time. :(

Christine - When I researched HO/HO buses for our last trip, the reviews were so horrible, I decided to skip it. I also decided to skip the Vatican Museum with my kids and will be taking them next month. They're 8, 10 and 12 and I'm still concerned about the 8yo in there based on my previous experience there alone many years ago. I didn't like the crowds and the Sistine Chapel was just a big let-down as it was fully of pushy tour groups, people taking flash photos and the yelling to be quiet and stop taking flash photos. If there were an easy way to get through the museum to the Chapel, I would say to go for it, but unfortunately it isn't that way :(

Are you looking for any additional suggestions for Rome with small kids? There are quite a few great parks in Rome you might want to check out. The Borghese Gardens are the most famous. Happy travels.

I agree that the Sistine Chapel would require a good deal of time, heck, you can wait in line to get into the museum for 45 min, then another 45 to get to the chapel and another 45 to get out and on your way to the next sight. However, with kids, you do keep moving through the museum with lots to see along the way...so it may work. Visiting St Peters though (really the rest of the Vatican you would visit) should not be missed, costs nothing, and though there is a line usually, it moves pretty fast. As for the HOHO buses, I think they are ineffective in Rome. Liked them in Paris and London, but aside from a few sights, the best of Rome can be walked in the old city (Piazza Navona, Campo di Fiori, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps) and are not even able to be seen on the bus. Head up to the Vatican area and then maybe the Forum area on Public Transport, then to central Rome, and everything will be much better than the HOHO

Christine, My wife and I did the hop on/off bus tour and realized it was a bad choice. We were in fear of how to get around but we underutilized it and it was expensive. But, you have kids. I'll dig around and see if I can find our flyer. Pete

Christine, your children might enjoy the smaller city buses that take you to or near most major sites - not hoho but not expensive, either. The Ron in Rome site might have the specific bus route numbers.

I agree with earlier posters. Our first time we "booked it" to the Chapel and it did take about 45 minutes of crowded walking down a wide hallway just to arrive. You would have to hold the kids once you arrive for them to see anything once you arrive. How about this? If its really important to one of you to see have the other parent let the kids chase piegions in St. Peter's Square and get gelato while the other parent sees the chapel. Have a reservation per Rick's instructions and if you both have a cell phone that works you can easily meet up after. The other thought is that there are some great mummies there - my son would have loved them at 3 or 5. Again, divide duties there maybe. But you will need a good plan to meet up if you split - the area is BIG and the entrances/exits are far apart. Start hoarding crackers now! :)