We will be in Milan in mid-September and there is only one day when it works for us to see the last supper. I read all the instructions in Rick's book and first tried online (no availability, even though the website says there are some available). So I tried calling. Again, I followed the instructions in Rick's book and got to the English language where I was told to wait for the next operator. A couple of times the recorded voice in Italian comes on and says thank you for waiting. Then after being on the line for 3.5 minutes another announcement comes on and says something about traffico (which I assume to mean heavy phone traffic) and the line goes dead. I know that I can go to ticket brokers and get tickets at a cost of about 4 times more, and since we have such a limited schedule I may need to do that. Any ideas or recommendations of brokers if I need to go that direction?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34349 posts
When you called did you take account of the time difference - 9 hours to the west coast - and call during Italian working hours when the church is open?
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
I went through that cycle of being dropped several times before I got through but in the end I did get tickets. It is worth the effort and phone cost.
Posted by
OP
Salem, OR
34 posts
Yes, I do check the time. Since I'm on the west coast it's been 4:30 - 5:00pm there when I've called. Maybe I'll just have to get up earlier. :-)
Posted by
Faribault
224 posts
Susan, take a look at the thread that I started regarding this topic. The last entry is June 19. It is a frustrating process, but, hopefully, it will work for you. We have the same problem that you have, limited time to see it. I was ready to give up, but it finally worked out. It is considerably less expensive through that agency, also. I have an international calling card that I have had for many years, so it did not cost me that much, even though I got disconnected a few times. Good luck!
Posted by
Faribault
224 posts
One more thing. When I finally got through to purchase the tickets, it was 4:30 pm their time.
Posted by
Easley, SC, USA
306 posts
Susan,
For what it's worth, I booked online on June 10 for 2 spaces on Friday, Sept. 12, through www.citywonders.com and I had no problems at all. I'm not bragging; I'm simply saying I had no trouble using that particular website. The two spaces, for a 3-hour guided tour called Best of Milan and Last Supper, beginning at 10:30, cost me 134 euros. I can't comment on your reaction to that price, but I did it because just once in my life, I want to see the real thing! And after taking into account all the rest of the expense of the entire trip, I thought 134 euros was cheap at twice the price! Your mileage may vary...
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
Tom,
Scalpers must love you. 134 Euros for what I paid 18 Euros by calling direct is not what I call a good deal.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
@Tom, good for you! I often book tickets through a broker, to avoid the hassle of multiple phone calls, etc., especially if I need several required reservations at different sites. My time starts to be worth some money at some point. And as you said, factored into the entire cost of a trip, it's not a lot of money. Plus, you got a tour of Milano's highlights.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I hope you will try again - maybe at midnight Pacific time and not on a Monday.