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Night Tour v/s Breakfast Tour

Posted by on

Hi There!

We are scheduled to stop at Rome for 2 days at the end of our Europe Trip (24th and 25th June). Party of 6 including my 10 yr old nephew and 70 yr old mom. None of us are big art lovers :)

We are considering taking either the Friday Night Tour or the Breakfast tour and need some advice.

1) Friday Night Tour: I understand that St Peters Basilica will be closed by 7pm so will need to visit at 5pm to see it (before the night tour)

Ques1) How crowded are these night tours since I understand that they are quite popular! If it's not worth it we'll take the Breakfast tour.

Ques2) Should we take a guided tour or an audioguide (concern with guided tour is keeping up the pace)

Ques3) Are the online tickets Skip the line tickets or we will have to wait in line even after buying tickets online?

Ques4) If we reach St Peters Basilica at 5pm will there be a long line (since entry is free) - we are considering buying the audio guide

Ques5) Worth going hours in advance for the Cupola?

Thank you for the time and sorry for all the questions!

Posted by
4152 posts

1) They limit the number of visitors at night. I've never found it crowded at all.

2)If there could be issues with keeping up with a guided tour then you probably shouldn't take one. Either do the audio tour or just visit on your own. There is very good signage throughout the museums.

3)There won't be a line for the Friday night tour. You must book in advance, tickets are not sold on the spot. You show up for your time slot and are let right in. You'll go through security, which might take a few minutes.

4)No one can answer this. Every day and every hour is different. There may be a long security line or there may not be one. You don't need to get there at 5pm, you can go at any time.

5) Only you can answer this. I don't like going up to the Cupola because I don't like heights, so for me, the answer would be no. You need to decide if this is something your family will like and can do.

Donna

Posted by
3943 posts

We did the Walks of Italy after hours tour in 2014. I thought it was somewhat crowded (trying to keep up with the guide thru the crowds was difficult at times - we had about 12-15 in our group - they split the initial group up into 3 smaller groups) but...from what I've heard of the museum thru the day, I think it was way less crowded than it generally is. I know I mentioned in one reply to a question that we were actually able to sit in the Sistine Chapel around the side, and someone replied you prob wouldn't get a chance to do that during reg day hours.

Haven't done a morning tour, so I can't compare. Of course the guided tour only hit the highlights - it was about 3 hrs. It was nice to have someone point things out. I imagine someday we will return and do it at our own pace, but with the limited time you have (and a 10 and 70 yr old) a condensed version may be better.

We visited St Peters then went to grab supper and relax while waiting for our meet-up time. We did the St peters Dome (if that's what you mean by cupola) when we first visited in 2008 - I don't recall a very long wait - we took the elevator part way. Also - we did the Pope's tombs in 08 - which didn't take long, but was interesting.

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