theilian

Need advice from savvy travers.

What kind of must-see attractions need reservation to save time? And when and how should one reserve them?

Uffizi and Accademia probably should be on the list, but what else?

In my case, I'm visiting London, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome this September.

topcat

Not sure if you consider it a must see, but the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London requires reservations:
http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/content.asp?ID=704

StCirq

Savvy travelers need to know how long you're going to be in each of these places and what attractions you're interested in before they can possibly give you an answer.

ira

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suze

I'm curious to hear the answer to this. But more information would be helpful. How many days in each city? And what kind of things are you interested in seeing?

I never make reservations ahead of time, but then I am very flexibile with my itinerary and if we don't get to see or do something, it's no big deal to me. If you have your heart set on something specific, my method wouldn't work very well.

julie_Colorado

You need a reservation for the Borghese gallery in Rome. You can do this online.

PalQ

Nothing in Paris or London needs to be reserved - save for such savouries as the Celebration of the Keys - not on most tourists radar. Versailles apparently can be reserved and this may save you a few hours wait in high season of July and August.
London Eye? Even in August waits of about 30 mins at most. Buckingham Palace? Open only during parts of August and Sep whilst the Queen is at Balmoral in Scotland - when first opened yes could wait ages but not now - an hour at most. Italy: some museums Uffizi, Accademia, Borghese during hectic tourist season only (july-aug)yes but even Uffizi has lengthened hours to late at night so at times no or little waiting.

theilian

Sorry,

We are planning on the following itinerary.

London - Tower, Tower Bridge, Brit Mus, National Gallery, Westminster Abbey

Paris - Effel Tower, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Orsay, Invalides, Rodin, Notre Dame, St Chapelle,
(We plan to buy 3-day museum pass)

Venice - Ducale, St. Mark, Campanile

Florence - Uffizi, Accademia, Santa Croce, Duomo, Bargello, Bell Tower, Baptistry

Rome - Coloseum, Foro, Palatine, Vatican Museum, St. Peter, Borghese

theilian

Sorry, forgot to add days.
London (2), Paris(3.5), Venice (1.5), Florence (1, two nights,but will arrive late and leave early), Rome (2.5)

PalQ

I think only for Borghese, Uffizi and Accademia are reservations even possible; not sure about Venice ones - and advised in peak periods. Versailles maybe possible but Paris Museum card lets you skip the ticket lines. All other places don't think you can reserve - Tower of London lines can be long - investigate buying your ticket from a Tube station, then you can skip the oft long ticket line at least.