Full day at Vatican

We just got back from Italy, and had the same ambitious agenda for our Vatican day. We booked a "Skip the line" tour with Presto for 8:45 for the Vatican museums. We found that the line to go in that early was not too bad, so maybe we didn't need the tour?? My husband had been ther previously in October and said the lines were worse then. (Maybe it's the economy??) When we finished with Museums and Sistine Chapel, it was about 12:30 and there was no line to get in. We ate lunch at one of the many take out pizza places, Then went to St. Peter's. We were in St. Peter's for about 1.5 hours, then climbed the dome. No lines for either one. It was close to 4:00 when we finished St. Peter's. We had planned to do Castel San Angelo, but it was really hot (about 95), so we ate gelato and walked across the Bernini bridge and slowly back to our apartment near the forum. Some thougts: the Vatican museums are not air conditioned, but you can bring in a backpack and water. We took water and snack break before entering the Raphael rooms, and no one seemed to care. The museums and Sistine Chapel were not as mobbed as I had thought they would be. We managed to find a bench at the Sistine and sit for a good 45 minutes listening to the RS audioguide. The RS guide for the Vatican museum was perfect for my non-art museum loving teenagers. Since you're not supposed to talk in the Sistine the audio guide was great. Since we weren't with a tour we could spend as long or as little with the art, and let the large groups go around us. It still took us over 3 hours to do the museums and Sistine. If it hadn't been so hot, we probably would have had the energy to do Castel San Angelo, but last Friday was our last in a string of very hot days.

Hey, Tracey. Definitely go to the Vatican Museum on Wednesday morning at around 9am. While thousands of people are gathering in St. Peter's Square to see the Pope, you'll quickly get into the Museum, and the crowds inside aren't that bad at that time. By the time you're done, the Pope and the crowd outside will be gone, so visiting the Square and Basilica will be easier. Visit the Castel Sant'Angelo after.

For an AWESOME view of Rome, climb St. Peter's Dome (cupola). Keep in mind, however, the climb is hot, crowded, and claustrophobic. You have to climb about 325 stairs after a short elevator ride (6 Euros). Hope this helps! ~Joseph~

We wont be in town for a Wednesday. We fly out of JFK on Wed., Sept 24th and arrive Thursday morning and we fly out on Wed., Oct. 1st

For my itinerary I have alloted a full day on Tuesday, Sept 30th.

Tracey,

Just be careful of burnout. The Vatican is so big it can sometimes be quite overwhelming and so spending an entire day there can cause burnout. The good news is that burnout is easily cured by a good Italian meal at one of Rome's numerous sidewalk cafes!

We just came back and spent a pretty hot full day at the Vatican. We too went on wednesday so that the crowd would be at the audience while we were inside. We took the guided tour at 10am which covered a portion of the museum and ended with the Sistine Chapel. That was a good three hours, and we were very happy with our guide. She did a nice presentation at a monitor on the chapel since you are supposed to be quiet there (which it was not). We left there, had a quick lunch to let some of the audience crowd disperse, and then went to the Basilica. We did not do the dome, but we went into the crpyt and saw the grave of PJPII. Then we went into the basilica and the crowd wasn't to bad. Total time we were there had to be 6 hours. We cut the castel because we wanted to walk to the Pantheon.

Our quickie lunch stop was junk, but if you walk awhile away from the Vatican, there are some fantastic pizza places. Look for places where they sell the pizza by weight. That was our afternoon snack!

Tracey - I think the folks who have posted above have given some great advice! Yes, you can do all of these but know that it is a full day. Fortunately when you come it will not be AS hot as lately.

I would save the shopping on the Rienzo for later. Most of the shops will be open till 8 PM - long after all the "sites" have closed. Also, it will cooler on the Rienzo that time of day. On any side street you can also spot GREAT restaurants to close out your day! (Remember, most shops are closed from 1 PM - 4 PM anyway!)

So I would start at the Castle Sant'Angelo, then the Basilica, letting the crowds head for the Vatican museum. Do all sections of the Basilica and then head for lunch... Some great restaurants on Via Candia, near Castle Sant'Angelo, or Gregorio VI. (we live on Via Candia so we're partial to it!).

After a "long" lunch, head for the Vatican Museum... Have a GREAT day and enjoy your time in Roma!!

Ciao,
Ron