My husband and I will be in Rome overnight as a starting point for a cruise. We just found out that our transportation to the ship will be picking us up at 2:30 in the afternoon which means I can now plan our morning. We're staying at Hotel Sonya and I'd like to visit the Vatican. I had planned on booking tickets for us to wander at our leisure there but see that there is a 10:30 English guided tour that lasts 2 hours and covers the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. That would give us about 2 hours to get back to our hotel to catch our shuttle. With that said, would you recommend an earlier start with the DIY, or the 10:30 guided tour?
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11363 posts
Suzan:
I'd probably go with the 10:30 guided tour. You will get more out of the 2 hours with a guide to steer you as well as enlighten. You could go early at see St. Peter's Basilica before your tour as you might feel rushed after. It is a but of a walk from the Basilica to the starting point for tours, so allow plenty of time to do that (20 minutes or so), but you can easily see the Basilica in an hour. Use Rick Steves' free audio tour on MP3. Climbing the dome would take additional time.
Posted by
TN, USA
2115 posts
Ditto Laurel's recommendation to see St. Peter's before the Vatican Museum tour. It is an absolutely amazing place, and you won't want to miss it. It's about a 10-15 minute walk between the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's. You'll like Hotel Sonya -- good choice :) Easy to take the Metro to/fro the Vatican, too.
Posted by
TN, USA
2115 posts
Just notice Laurel recommends allowing 20 minutes between Vatican and St.Peters...........her advice is better. I forget that I walk twice as fast as most people. Allow plenty of time to meet your tour, so you are not feeling rushed.
Posted by
OP
Chesapeake, VA, USA
23 posts
Thanks Laurel and Margaret. St. Peter's solo followed by guided tour at 10:30 it is!
Posted by
Yarmouthport, MA, USA
40 posts
What time of the year are you going? We toured with Eternity tours and the vatican and St. Peter's took 5 hours. This was in May. The crowds were already huge with a body to body crush through some sections. I would take the earlieast tour you can or use a private tour company like Eternity.
Posted by
OP
Chesapeake, VA, USA
23 posts
We're visiting in early September and touring with with an official Vatican Tour Guide. It states on the website that the duration of the tour is approximately two hours.
Posted by
walsh, California, USA
2 posts
We were in Rome last month. We toured with roman empire tours and it was a complete sucess. They do have the option of doing a private tour which gives you the option of doning the tour at any time that is convienent to you. Their guides are very well informed with a great sence of humour. Check them out. http://romanempiretours.com/
Posted by
fort montgomery, ny, usa
94 posts
Earlier start there is so much to see with both of them and you will enjoy it better
Posted by
Louisville, KY, USA
255 posts
You could purchase a ticket online and get to the museum when it opens and after looking around on your own, taking the 2 hour tour. We purchased tickets online and were the 5 & 6th people in the door.