My hisband & I will be in Rome at the end of September as we finish up our Best of Italy tour. Do I need to book a tour of the Vatican or will that be included? I cant tell from the itinerary? Any suggestions on what to do with our free time there? We will have 2 half days there.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3054 posts
Not included
See the FINE PRINT at the bottom of the WHAT'S INCLUDED section of this page:
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/best-italy-2025
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks! I think I’ve read these documents a dozen times but international travel is new to us & there is so much to learn. Any suggestions for Rome, especially the Vatican?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17517 posts
Hi merfranklin13
Your tour actually spends very little time in Rome, and your free time realistically consists largely of 1 evening (on arrival from Orvieto, after settling into the hotel and the afternoon group walk) and 1 afternoon (after the morning group walk and before the farewell dinner) unless you're staying in Rome longer when your RS tour is over. If you want to visit the Vatican, you'd be seeing the museums and basilica during busy hours on that free afternoon, and I'd highly recommend a tour which includes both. The museums are vast and benefit from a guide to shepherd you through the mob to some of the highlights, and many tours which include the basilica will access it from the Sistine via an interior passage, thus saving some steps. Just make sure that whatever tour you book states clearly that it provides that benefit.
The Vatican itself oddly doesn't offer a combo tour of both so you'd need to book with an independent company. Some of those other posters have used are:
Through Eternity
The Roman Guy/The Tour Guy
Walks of Italy
These tours normally run about 3 - 3.5 hours in length. Between getting there, the tour itself + heading off to wherever after the tour is over, it'll pretty much eat up most of your free afternoon. The museums are closed on Sundays, and morning tours on Wednesdays usually can't access the inner passage.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1499 posts
Read the explanation and instructions from RS office and plan accordinglly:
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/jubilee-year-rome
Visiting the Vatican and Colosseum
For Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Colosseum entrance tickets we anticipate reservations being released at unpredictable intervals due to the Jubilee. It is best to check the official websites early and frequently to learn when bookings are available. Please note tickets may sell out quickly from the official sites.
Official website: Vatican Museums Tickets
The basic ticket is called: Admission tickets — Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Please check the Vatican Calendar closely for hours and closures.
If tickets are sold out at the official website, consider booking from another website, such as Omnia Vatican Rome.
Official website: Colosseum Tickets
The basic ticket is called: 24h — Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine.
If tickets are sold out at the official website, consider booking from another website, such as Get Your Guide.
When to visit - Best of Italy in 17 Days
Here are the best days and times to visit either or both sites based on your tour itinerary:
- Day 16 at 1 p.m. or later
- Day 17 when the tour is over after breakfast
- Post-tour if you're adding extra days