sistene chapel
Jun 19th, 2005, 04:05 AM
#2
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This time of year,I would suggest going at about 8:30 am, before the Vatican Museums open. That way when they do,you'll be able to go right in.Some people go directly to the Capella Sistina(follow the signs)then re-enter the museum to take their time there.Any day will be busy,I would probably go on a Tuesday or Wednesday (def.not on Monday.)
Jun 19th, 2005, 04:33 AM
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Hi
Some people recommend getting in line well before the Vat. museums open. Others report that in the early afternoon, the line pretty much disappears. Check your guidebook or www.vatican.va
for the hours for tourism at the Vatican; it's not the same every day of the week.
Some people recommend getting in line well before the Vat. museums open. Others report that in the early afternoon, the line pretty much disappears. Check your guidebook or www.vatican.va
for the hours for tourism at the Vatican; it's not the same every day of the week.
Jun 19th, 2005, 09:45 AM
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My suggestion is get in line before it opens and when you get inside move quickly and directly to the Sistine Chapel. You'll be lured to look at treasures along the way but save those for after the chapel. Most people will stroll through the hallways, stopping along the way but if you go quickly you may find your selves in the chapel alone, or one of only a few. That was our experience the first time in Rome and those precious, quiet minutes will always stay with me.
Jun 19th, 2005, 10:16 AM
#6
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Worthwhile to review this thread, perhaps...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34635905
Best wishes,
Rex
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34635905
Best wishes,
Rex
Jun 19th, 2005, 02:36 PM
#7
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You may want to consider doing the context Rome tour if your pocket book allows. It was pricey but well worth it. Elizabeth our tour guide gave us a 4 hour tour and explained all the important pieces of art. The first time I went to the Vatican I did not do a tour. This time I did and got so much more out of it. With a tour you also bypass all the lines.
Jun 19th, 2005, 02:44 PM
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wsz, how did you bypass the lines by being with Context Rome? My information is that they get you in line early, but you still have to wait until opening time.
I used them for other tours, not for the Vatican.
I used them for other tours, not for the Vatican.
Jun 19th, 2005, 04:54 PM
#9
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Make sure you don't plan to visit on a Sunday as it is closed most Sundays. Here are the hours of operation.
Closed dates:
Sundays, except for the last Sunday of each month, unless it falls at Easter, on June 29 (St. Peter and Paul), or on December 25 and 26 (Christmas Holiday)
Other holidays:
January 1, 6
February 11
March 19
March 27, 28 (Easter - Easter Monday)
May 1, 5 (Ascension Thursday), 26 (Corpus Christi Day)
June 29
August 14-15
November 1
December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), 25-26.
Closed dates:
Sundays, except for the last Sunday of each month, unless it falls at Easter, on June 29 (St. Peter and Paul), or on December 25 and 26 (Christmas Holiday)
Other holidays:
January 1, 6
February 11
March 19
March 27, 28 (Easter - Easter Monday)
May 1, 5 (Ascension Thursday), 26 (Corpus Christi Day)
June 29
August 14-15
November 1
December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), 25-26.
Jun 19th, 2005, 05:13 PM
#10
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We met our Context Rome guide (private tour) at 1 p.m. on a recent Thursday and had a very brief wait for tickets. Other days we passed the Vatican in a taxi and the line was about 4 blocks long. We arrived in Rome on June 8 and found the crowds at sites get progressively worse as the week wore on. I don't think I would try to go to the major cities in Italy again in June and was told that October and April/May are much less crowded. The weather, however, was excellent for our 6 days in Rome.
Jun 19th, 2005, 05:30 PM
#11
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Don't make the mistake we did though and plan to visit on the last afternoon of your stay in Rome, line up and visit the cathedral etc only to then discover that the Sistine Chapel was closed on that particular afternoon each week. I can't remember exactly which afternoon it was (maybe Wednesday?), but it's worth checking if you are planning a visit.
Jun 19th, 2005, 05:57 PM
#12
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One of my first travel rules from one of my first trips: never save anything really important for the last day. Even if you know the schedule, changes can occur. I missed seeing Westminster Abbey on my first trip to London--they were closing early for a wedding.
Jun 19th, 2005, 09:46 PM
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Just back from a trip that included a beautiful visit to the Sistine Chapel. We had planned to go early the first morning we were in Rome, but Melissa, the owner of the Nicolas Inn where we were staying, suggested going midday (like 12 or 1) instead. Her tip worked well for us, lines not bad at all. It was on a Thursday, just last month. There were crowds once we got inside and the chapel was quite full, but not nearly as bad as I had anticiapted. By the way, binoculars proved very useful if you want to focus in on the details of Michaelangelo's work.
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