After reading many queries and answers on how to book this tour on RS’s Travelers’ Helpline, as well as on Slow Travel, Frommer’s and Fodor’s, I devised this strategy to reserve a space on a guided tour. I first composed a letter, which included the information they required; See example below. I then emailed it 4/20/08 at 10:30am PST (Rome 7:30pm) AND faxed it 4/21/08 at 6:28am PST (Rome 3:28pm) during what I figured out to be their office hours, 9-5pm. I faxed from a Fed Ex Kinko’s open 24 hours. The international fax cost was $5.99. I received their response, by email, 4/23/08 at 1:38am PST (Rome 10:38am). My tour is at noon and admission is 29.50 Euros. I hope this can help someone.
Date
Vatican Museums
visiteguidate.musei@scv.va
Fax: 011-39-06-69885100
Dear Sir/Madam:
I would like to make reservations for the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel tour. Please, if possible, send confirmation of reservations to the email address listed.
Regards,
(your name, home address, home tel # (i.e. 00-1-555-555-5555) and email
Name(s): your name(s)
Language: your language of choice, i.e. English
Dates available: i.e. 3, 5 or 7 May 2008
Email: your email address
Residence in Rome: hotel name, address, tel. # , fax #