lmont

We have Scavi tickets for Wednesday, May 23rd at 1:30 . If there is a papal audience that day ( the last I checked, the schedule isn't available for May), it will begin approximately 10:30. We do not plan on buying tickets for the audience. I understand St.Peter's is not open during that time.

I'm trying to plan our day at the Vatican and could use your help. Does this make sense?

9:00 Pre-booked Vatican Museum Tour
lunch
1:00-1:15 Be in line for Scavi
1:30 Scavi Tour
3:00 Tour ends
Climb the Cupola,tour tombs, tour St.Peter's

Questions - approximately how long for Museums? where to eat lunch ? I still need to figure out logistics from Museums to Scavi entrance and Scavi exit to Climbing the Cupola etc.

I've read the Climbing the Cupola information and still can't grasp if there is a visual difference from climbing vs. taking the elevator. Do you end at the same location ?

The daily mass schedule shows a 5:00pm mass. How does this impact touring St.Peter ? I really don't like the idea of disrespectfully scooting around while a mass is taking place.

Thank you

azzure

Your timetable looks fine to me. There are plenty of places for lunch just outside the Vatican entrance (we had pizza on Via Angelica), or you can eat at the Vatican's cafeteria. The Scavi entrance is across St. Peter's Square from the Vatican (standing in the square and looking at St. Peter's, it will be to your left). The Scavi tour will end inside St. Peter's; and two hours is a good amount of time for wandering around inside the Basilica before the Mass starts.

daveesl

How long you spend in the museums is kind of up to you. Some will do it in an hour, some will spend all day. For most, a couple of hours with the crowds is enough. If you are doing an actual tour, then the guide will probably end up dropping you at the Sistine Chapel.

From there you can exit out of the door to the right down to St. Peters, you'll see a sign that says "groups" or "tours exit". That keeps you from needing to walk all the way around the wall. However, by exiting out of the museum entrance, along the side streets, you can find a number of cafes for lunch. There are also some across from St. Peters, so depending on the time you leave the museum/Sistine Chapel kind of determines where you want to go.

It has been a couple of years since I did the scavi tour, but if I remember correctly, you exit into the tombs. That may or may not be the case any more.

hope that helps

dave

kybourbon

This map is not from the official Vatican website, but it will help you get your bearings. To get to the Scavi tour you will exit the piazza around #3 on the map. The Scavi office is #28. You will go through a security screening between #3 and #28.

http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Exter...quare-Area.htm

You will likely exit the Scavi tour in the area of the Pope's tombs (sometimes this changes). You can exit this area near the elevator/line to the cupola.

This map shows the entrance to the Vatican Museums (upper left). You may or may not be allowed to exit through the tour group exit in the Sistine Chapel. If not, you will exit at the museum entrance and walk to via di Porta Angelica.
http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Pics/...n-area-map.jpg

francoisebelle

Catching the elevator takes you to the roof. You have to climb up to the Cupola from there. It is a good choice if you don't have much time, are claustrophobic and want to limit your time in an enclosed space or you are not in the best of health. There is a cute shop on the roof full of sometimes surprising religious ephemera. You don't have to be catholic to find something beautiful or unexpected to take home with you.

You can view the St Peters during mass. It is a beautiful experience in a way because after all you get to experience what the space is actually for! I wouldn't do it if it was my first trip to the Basilica but it is certainly something to consider for those who have been there a couple of times.

A great place for lunch that won't rip you off is the Bar Santa Anna on Via Santa Anna. It is just before the Porta Angelica. Lovely sandwiches and inexpensive. The Cafe inside the Vatican Museums is pretty good too.

azzure

kybourbon -- those are great maps!!!

Amyla11

What are some good places to eat if you exit the Museums tour through the Basilica?

kybourbon

If you exit the museum through the tour group exit in the Sistine Chapel you will be in St. Peter's so you will have to leave to eat. On this map, the Sistine Chapel is #9 while the regular entrance/exit to the museum is #22.

http://saintpetersbasilica.org/vaticancity-map.htm

Amyla11

I was afraid of that. Thank you, kybourbon.

ParadiseLost

Re; Saintpetersbasilica.org

Maurice Howard used to be a regular poster here, I believe his screen name was 'Howard'?

I was in email with him a few times back then (6-8yrs?).

I recall his homepage listed his email address and his name.
I just went to the bottom of his homepage and this was below the email address.

"Dedication Maurice & Eloise Howard"

I assume? he has passed-on and his family and/or friends are keeping his website active?

If so, I'd just like to thank him for providing the most informative accurate website on St. Peter's Basilica anywhere. Which has over the years helped an untold number of travelers get the most out of their visit.

Thanks Again Howard...Regards, Walter

kybourbon

Walter - There's an e-mail on the website along with mailing address.
Contact: [email protected]

From this rosary order, it seems they live in KY.
http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Rosary/FreeRosary.htm

ParadiseLost

kybourbon, the 100 Rosary Beads for .39 is over 5yrs old.

And his last update on his homepage is from Christmas 2008 and he was *always* on top of his site. Look at the work he has put into it.

That and the 'Dedication' comment seems to me and hopefully I'm wrong that he has passed-on.

How often would a person 'Dedicate' a website to themselves?

I don't wish to email and ask, it's just an observation also it might be a private medical condition that the family might want to keep private. Regards, Walter