I've read literally hundreds of tips on doing this and and am finding myself more rather than less confused - arg! We had been plannng on doing this with their rented audiophones and going later rather than earlier in the AM, hoping lines would be shorter. They probably won't be but guess that's just part of the program. Anyway, I've read that there are several routes that you can take through the museums but can't seem to find out what those are. Are there routes any of you have taken that you'd recommend? Honestly, there's so much to see in Rome (we only have 3 days) that if this is going to be too big a headache, maybe it's best to just see the Basilica and then spend our time on other adventures? Even Rick has a current post about how difficult a visit to these museums has become. Bummer......
Posted by
nederland, colorado, usa
127 posts
i followed all the rick steves' tricks and advice...i made a reservation for the Uffizi Gallery in feb., for my april [florence]trip...nevertheless, i still waited 45 min for one line, andother 30 for another, and after getting in? i left after 20 min. there were TOO MANY PPL!..IMPOSSIBLE to really enjoy art..
from that day on i made a self -commitment: if there is a line, i ain't doin' it..i blew off seeing "David", and ANYthing where there were HUNDREDS of ppl...i "looked" at the colliseum, what a joke..no WAY was i gonna be a part of THAT zoo.
vatican? i missed my flight out ..[too much fun]..but re-booked at casa olmata, [20 euro], so said "what the heck"..went to the vatican after avoiding that the whole 2 weeks..:the Pope was in Brazil!! NO lines, NO ppl, it was great..
trust me on this: if there is a really really long line for ANYthing, move on..[i DID make an exception in Naples for the home of pizza..."mikes" i think it was...yummmmm]
last hint: get up and OUT at 7 am..
Posted by
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
705 posts
I have been to Rome each year for the last 4 years and only this year did I do the Museums. There seems to be long queues no matter what and if you are in Rome such a short time you may want to give them a miss and do other things. You probably need to allow a good half day at least to do them. Personally I would do Basilica and leave the museums. As you say there is so much to see in Rome. I still haven't been to the Colosseum yet - next trip!
Posted by
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
206 posts
We were at the Vatican Museum 7/30. We had booked (via FAX) the official 2 hour Vatican tour at 10:30 AM. We avoided the line altogether by presenting our FAX confirmation at the museum. The tour ends at the sistine chapel, and we were there probably by noon. So, using the official tour there is essentially no waiting time. But, the museum was still very crowded, and you only get to see what they take you to on the tour, unless you make your way back or further on after the sistine chapel. My family (kids 12 and 14) thought that the sistine chapel was worth the tour, which is fairly painless considering you skip the line, although they weren't totally thrilled with the rest of the tour (but didn't hate it either). As I mentioned in another post, we got to St. Peter's about 8:15 AM, so were able to do the basilica including dome before the museum. We did the crypt after and were done with the area by lunch time. If you want specifics of what is on the tour let me know-I'll try.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
80 posts
Please, what are the specifics? I'd love to know!
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
The crowds waiting to enter the Colosseum are waiting to purchase tickets. Once you have a ticket you just enter through the turnstiles. The obvious answer here is to go across the street to Palatine Hill and purchase your Colosseum tickets there where there is NOBODY in line. Then walk back across the street and right through the turnstiles at the Colosseum. THe problem is that the ticket counter at the Colosseum is right at the turnstiles - so you might be tempted to think that all of those people standing in the huge lines are actually waiting to enter. If you have a ticket in your hand then just push through the crowd all the way to the front where the turnstiles are located.
Posted by
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
206 posts
Good morning! My son and I tried to work out the details; it looks like we went down one long musuem side. We saw: the pine cone courtyard, the greek and roman statues (including purple sarcophagi RS mentions), octagon room, candelabra gallery, tapestry gallery, map gallery, Raphael rooms (currently under renovation, so couldn't see it all), Borgia Apt, some modern art, and ended at the Sistine Chapel. Did not see the pinacoteca, but one could do that after the Sistine Chapel. The guide actually leaves the group just before the chapel, as an interesting intro to the chapel had been done at the beginning of the tour (talking in the chapel is not allowed). So subtracting the intro at the beginning and that we got to the Sistine chapel about noon, we spent probably about an hour in the rest of the museum, which of course is not a lot for such a large place, but we had plenty of other (great) museum time in Italy. As I mentioned, you can go back or further after the Sistine chapel.
Posted by
Hudsonville, MI, USA
25 posts
I wish that Rick would finish his podcasts on Rome! That would be nice and easy to follow his route. Otherwise, I'd take the tour as listed in his guidebook. You hit the highlights and get out in a reasonable time. I've heard a million times that Wed. morning or any afternoon is less busy. It IS difficult - but sooo worth it in my opinion!