denisea

I got a confirmed Scavi tour confirmed for our trip. So, for those who have been on the Scavi tour, where do you end up at the end? Can you visit St Peter.s from that point without having to go through additional security or entry lines?

And one more question for those of you with Vatican experience....although I know the Sistine chapel will always be busy, any thoughts on a confirmed Vatican museums/Sistine tour first thing (8am) vs an evening Vatican/Sistine tour at 7pm? Which would be better to get less shoving in the Sistine? I know with Context tours, the evening tour is shorter and no St Peters with that one. The daytime tours are longer and include St Peters, but we can do St Peters on our own if going on the evening tour means a better experience in the Sistine chapel. Experiences or thoughts?

kybourbon

>>>Vatican/Sistine tour at 7pm<<<<

Is that on a Friday when the museum is open 7-11 or are you talking about one of the private after hours tours that run about 250€ per person? I didn't know Context offered those. Do you have a link?

You exit the Scavi tour in the grottoes (tombs of Popes a level below the Basilica). On this link, after walking through the grotto, you would exit where the stairs are on the right (#68)
http://saintpetersbasilica.org/grottoes.htm

This puts you by the elevator (or line) to go up on the Dome. From this area, you can access the front entrance to the Basilica. You will already be inside the secure area.

jangita

We just did the Scavi tour, last week. We exited right near the Scavi office which is all the way on the left as you are facing the basilica--outside.

We were pretty blown away by the tour so just took a long walk and went to lunch afterwards.

We also went to the Museums Fri. night at 7:30. It was not anywhere near as crowded as in the day. No shoving in the Sistine Chapel. We even got seats on the periphery, easily.

kybourbon

I've exited by the Scavi office before too, but last time we used the grotto exit. It seems if there is any construction or other things going on, they change the itinerary a bit. When I exited by the office, we were still in the secure area and could enter the Basilica by just going up the steps on that side of the Vatican.

I believe there is a free tour of St. Peter's once a day and you can also rent audio guides.

denisea

Thanks...kybourbon, it is a Fri evening tour that Context offers...just the Museums and Sistine chapel. Not a private tour.

I saw that they have two dates for private tours but not while we are there.

kybourbon

You can book Friday night entry tickets with the Vatican. I think they also offer a tour that night.
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

denisea

OK, grazie mille. And it sounds like where we end up after the Scavi changes from time to time, so we will end up wherever they have it set up at the time.

CarrieAnn40

We had a three hour 8am Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel tour with Italy With Us http://tinyurl.com/cugrwg9 which we did on Wednesday 13th June. We arrived at the Museums shortly after 8am and went straight to the Sistine Chapel through long totally deserted corridors of art, the guide was telling us stuff as we walked but the aim was to keep moving.

We got to the Sistine Chapel by about 8.30 and for at least the next 15 - 20 minutes there were an average of no more than 35 people in there, plus the guards who were all up near the door. Almost everyone was sitting around the edges with their guides so it seemed even emptier. The main tour crowds started appearing soon after 9.

After we left the Chapel at about 9.10 we started on the museums. The rooms closest to the Chapel were deserted but the museum gradually filled up over the next hour and the latter part of the trip was fairly crowded. This tour took us out of the tour door at the back of the Sistine Chapel, shortly before 11am and the Sistine Chapel was very crowded by then, and directly to St Peter's.

Our Scavi Tour was yesterday morning. It was incredible. We exited in the grotto and went back into St Peter's. We also climbed the dome at 12.30 - it was crowded and very hot going up so if you can go earlier in the morning it may be more comfortable. They also only take cash.

To get to the Scavi Tour you need to go round the outside of the left side of the collonade, as you face St Peter's. Right at the back you will see a couple of Swiss guard. To their left is a grey portacabin with no name on it. That is the security check area where you need to start. Why there is no name I don't know as virtually everyone was asking the Swiss guard on the gate and he was pointing everyone there.

CarrieAnn40

Wrong page on the link - click on the Vatican drop down menu and select 8am tours.

annhig

Right at the back you will see a couple of Swiss guard. To their left is a grey portacabin with no name on it. That is the security check area where you need to start. Why there is no name I don't know as virtually everyone was asking the Swiss guard on the gate and he was pointing everyone there.>>

possibly they like to give the Swiss guard something to do or to encourage people to come here and ask us!

otherwise, it's Italy, innit?

CarrieAnn40

Gotta be Italy, ann!

denisea

Thanks ladies. I am clear on where to go for the Scavi and hope we will be exiting where we can get to St Peter's without too much work. I will find out from Context if they go straight to the Sistine upon entry at 8am...that is what I am hoping. I appreciate your input here. I know we will not be able to see it all and that mistakes WILL be made, but we hope to minimize those.

We leave in 81 days I think!

tomarkot

Denisea, we are excitedly following your plans for your visit to Roma! Last evening we saw TO ROME, WITH LOVE and think you'd enjoy it as a prelude to your upcoming visit. It had us reminiscing about our trips there, and wanting to plan another soon.

About your visit to the Sistine: we totally support your idea of entering early to get a fuller appreciation of it before all the crowds arrive.

returntoyourseat

Hi Everyone,

denisea I think we arrive in Rome same weekend as you but doing Rome on the end of our trip. I have just sent off a request for the Scavi....How long does it take to get an answer to request for tickets? Can't believe I waited so long to do this, especially since I have been planning this trip for months. Too mnay things to think about. I hope we are not disappointed as my friends are so looking forward to this, I have been many years ago but this is their first trip to Italy. I feel so bad about missing this.

denisea

Tomarkot...still haven't made it to that movie! Really looking forward to the Sistine chapel.

Returntoyourseat...we emailed and got a response in two days with the confirmation and instructions on payment coming a day or so after that. Total about 4-5 days to complete confirmation. I have heard if you do not receive a response within a few days, it means they are fully booked. I hope you hear from them....it's almost a full time job trying to make all the arrangements isn't it? If you don't hear back, try sending another email requesting a different date.

returntoyourseat

I just got an answer this morning, they have nothing on that date, we are only in Rome, 1/2 day 17th, full day 18th and 3/4 day 19th of September.....what a bummer, I have to keep trying some other options, these are my best friends and are Catholic, yikes.....any other tours. Thanks for your replies.

ParadiseLost

On your 'full day' show-up before 9AM, wait behind the last of the 9:15 tour people who will likely be allowed thru the gate at 9:05. Also try too clear the Security check with them beforehand.

Ask the Swiss Guard if you can go to the Scavi Ticket Office (with the 9:15 group) and inquire if there are any cancellations for that day (also the next day if that 3/4 day has your AM free).

If there are any cancellations the odds are it will likely be a couple so at least 2 could go or who knows perhaps you'll all get lucky...or not.

Others have posted about doing this over the years and I personally know someone who did this 2yrs ago. Regards, Walter

p.s. I've gotten the 9:15 English tour 3 out of 4 times in the past so I'm assuming it is still the earliest tour availiable plus I haven't read any posts about anyone getting a tour before that.

returntoyourseat

Thank you Paradise - not sure I understand fully....if you don't get in on the tour does that mean you don't get in at all....or does this just take care of long lines. I appreciate your information and we will do this....if there are only two then my husband and I will stay behind.

returntoyourseat

I suppose they would have to have order with tours. I was there 10 years ago but it was my first trip to Italy and I was not in charge, not sure I want to be now but sometimes you have to step up...I better read up on this for sure.

Luv2travel15

I think what Paradise means is on the day that you have a full day in Rome is to go directly to where the Scavi tour entrance is and you will see the Swiss Guards standing there. As noted, follow the security line and see if you can go into the tix office to find out if there are any cancellations.

We had booked Scavi tour a few years ago and had 10 am reservations for our party of 6. We were on a cruise ship that was unable to dock on time due to bad weather so never got to port until noontime so we were unable to make our 10 am tour. However, I had booked a tour guide to meet us in Rome for an all day tour and she went to the tix office and was able to get us into an afternoon tour. So there could be a possibility for cancellations. We had to split our group of 6 into 4 and 2 so had 2 different tour times. We just went into St. Peter's and toured there while the other 4 in our group did Scavi.

I can highly recommend a tour company for you if you want to book some other tours: http://www.angeltoursrome.com/

I have used Angel Tours several times and have recommended them to many other friends of mine. They give a wonderful tour of the Vatican which includes St. Peter's also. It's nice to have someone explain what you are seeing in the Vatican and St. Peter's. We had headsets for our St. Peter's tour so we only heard our tour guide. It will still be crowded in Sept. so perhaps you might think about using Angel Tours. You will be pleased w/ their services. Check their website as they have a couple of free tours you could take also. Good luck.
If you don't get into a Scavi tour, save it for next time in Rome.