Hey everyone, sorry for asking yet another question, but I think I have an either really awesome or horrible idea and wanted to run it by people who know more. Here's the set up: We get to Rome on a Wednesday, April 24 (will arrive in the morning, coming from Orvieto). We leave that Saturday evening, April 27. Our B&B is literally right by the Vatican and about five minutes from the Vatican Museum entrance. My original plan was to do the Vatican all in one day, either on the Thursday or Friday. I just heard back (in just 10 minutes!) that we scored a reservation for the Scavi underground tour at the Vatican for 3 p.m. Friday. This would work perfectly with my original plan - except now I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to split the Vatican over two days. I've been reading on RonInRome.com (thanks again for that tip!) that the lines for the museum are only bad in the morning and that you can usually get right in after 11 a.m., meaning don't bother buying tickets in advance. So we could just tour the museum after dropping off our luggage at our hotel and not have to be worried about making our 3 p.m. Scavi tour, plus maybe touring the museums when they're not so crowded. Then that Friday we can do something else in the morning (maybe the Borghese or the national museum?), have a siesta and then hit the Scavi tour and then St. Peter's when it's not too crowded. The biggest snag I can see is that we would do the Vatican Museum on a Wednesday, which I've heard is one of the busiest times to go - boo! But if we don't go until like 1 p.m. or later, would that be such a problem? I guess we could always do an advanced booking for 1 p.m., right? I just feel like splitting the Vatican up would help avoid Vatican overkill, where I feel overwhelmed by being there from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Any tips are much appreciated!
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Teresa ,I'm not going to make any specific logistical comments , I am sure that many other posters will help with that more accurately than I could , but I will make two or three personal and conceptual remarks . You will be in Rome a short time and the temptation is to cram too much in a limited space . You could live there a lifetime and not see it all . I wouldn't be too concerned about tourist density at a particular site . You can try to mitigate it a bit ,but places like the Vatican ( or the Louvre , Versaillles , Tower of London , etc. ) will always be busy . Our approach is to go when we can ,because that's when we are there . The crowds have never presented a problem for us and we have been to many very busy sites . The Vatican is like the Louvre in that can be overwhelming , don't even think you can see it all . Also don't over estimate what you can do in a day . On a typical day for us , we hit the ground running by 7-8 AM and generally don't quit till about 8-9 PM ( including dinner ) and usually wind up seeing less than we thought we could. ( it does take some time , even with public transportation to get from place to place . Do what you reasonably can , don't dawdle , but neither rush , you'll see more going slower ! And one last tip for Rome : after you see the Pantheon ( A MUST!! ) find your way , about a block or so to Tasso D'Oro , one of the great Roman coffeehouses and have a Cafe Granita con Panna . Don't ask , just go , if the great art doesn't do it , that will . You'll never want to leave Rome!!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
Well, you really only have 2 full days and parts of two other days. I would try to see "the Vatican" on the same day. You can spend a few hours in the museums, then break for lunch, then do the scavi tour and visit the basilica in the afternoon. I know that the lines outside are shorter in the afternoon but that doesn't mean that the museums are not crowded. You'll always find a huge line up in the galleries leading to the Sistine chapel, no matter the time of day or time of year. This is the reason I would just go in the morning to the museums and finsh with the basilica after the scavi tour. this will also give you a full day to visit other sites while in Rome. Donna
Posted by
seattle
2047 posts
Trying to go to the Vatican Museum when it's not to busy is a good idea. We went on a Wednesday morning in April and it was a zoo. We definitely needed to rest afterwards. We made resrvations which I do recommend, as it can be very rainy in April and the museum line is often long. Have fun. Rome is a great city! By the way the Borghese Gallery is beautiful. If you really like art, there will be some special exhibits while you're there (including a Flemish art exhibit). We heard about the exhibits via the Hotel Raffaelo (sp)website.
Posted by
Texas
144 posts
On most wednesday morning about 10 there is an open air mass that brings many tourists. After mass is over, most spend the rest of the day doing the tours and visiting all parts of the Vatican. I would recommend either seeing the Sistine Chapel during the mass, or on another day.