Vatican

We used Angel Tours in Nov 07, and got a skip the line tour. We did skip the LONG line waiting to get into the Vatican museum. We still had crowds of people to contend with...not an entirely enjoyable experience. If you want to see the art...it's impossible as the wave of people keep you moving, and also are always in front of what you want to see.

That being said, for an overview, a tour is a good way to go. Our tour was almost 4 hours long, and the guide was very good. Tour group size was about 16 people. The split groups when they get too big.

A papal audience is not going to pull too many people off the tours....there are about 20,000 people going through the Vatican, etc every single day of the year (according to our tour guide)

Early morning tours are best according to Angel Tours web page...they are longer.

Make sure when you book that you make sure you are getting a "skip the line" tour, they cost more, be prepared. Also, expect to tip the guide, they earn their tips!

I highly recommend reserving a spot with the Vatican directly. In Rick's book.....and somewhere on this "italy" thread......it tells you how to go about doing this. Actually, I think I have one on here with the fax number from last september.

Anyways, you fax the Vatican and on your fax you write your return fax number, your name, how many in your party, their names, any children, language and the date and time you would like your tour. It's best to put a couple of options because I think they only reply if you are confirmed. Then make sure you bring this piece of paper with you and you line up near the "groups" line about a half hour before your tour and they let you right in. No problems!

We had no problems booking a time and did it about 2 weeks in advance. It was very easy. The only thing, we tried to fax around 6 - 8 pm our time (eastern) and I believe they must turn off their fax at night cause it wasn't going through. My husband faxed the next morning.

I've heard lots of good things about myvaticantour and presto tours. Angel Tours seems to have mixed reviews and larger groups. Presto and Myvaticantour have smaller groups with the vip entrance and the tour price is decent.

If you are trying to get into the Basilica without a long wait, you might consider getting there when it first opens. The quiet is magical, and the line is short.

For tours of the museum, Context Rome is amazing! Groups of 6 or less, and guides who are academics working in their area of expertise. Since the groups are small, the might be better able to accomidate the elderly.

Avoid Wednesdays, unless you want to go to a Papal audience. I think a lot of people (crazy people) try to see the museum, the basilica and the pope all in one day.

Right when things open in the morning worked out the best for us. We tried at the magical 1 pm time and it wasn't magical. However, it was also July.

I just booked recently directly through the Vatican as April suggested. I included my email address and so the response and confirmation came directly to my email. It took me a few days to get confirmation - but it was pretty easy.

It does sound like the only way to avoid waiting in line for sure is to book directly through the Vatican. The cost is 29.5 euro per person.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your responses, I think the best thing to do is to try and book with the vatican. Thanks