I have a few questions, if someone wouldn't mind to help me with. Firstly,I am trying to decide whether to reserve some museums I want to see in Rome. Anybody know whether it's worth it (or even needed way in advance) for any of the following:

*The Gallery Pamphilj
*The Borghese (*if needed, can one reserve the day of or must it be 2 weeks in advance?)
*Domus Aurea
*Necropolis tour
*Museo Nazionale Roma

The second part of my question is, does anyone know who runs those free student tours at the Colosseum (that Rick Steves' mentions)? I am trying to find out about their catacombs tour. Has anyone taken it? What times does it run? (if you happen to know)

Thirdly and lastly, can you get into any of the following after hours/when closed (Appian Way, Colosseum, The Forum, Baths of Caracalla). **trying to decide possibly what to do during reposo or on days when not open.

Thanks much!
Patricia

You need reservations for the Borghese, the Domus Aurea and the Necropolis or Scavi Tour. Borghese should be made as early as possible if you are set on a certain date and time but sometimes you can just walk up to the ticket office and get a time for later that day. Domus Aurea reservations can be made in the morning of the day you are planning to visit. The Necropolis should be made as soon as you have your dates for being in Rome as it fills up the quickest and takes the longest to respond with a confirmation. However, on rare occasions, you may be lucky and get in to a Necropolis tour on the same day if there are some no-shows. Can't help you with the student guides at the Colosseum, but the catacombs themselves have a tour leader (different ones for various languages)and you are not let down into the catacombs unaccompanied. The Appian Way is just a road; it doesn't close. But you won't be able to get into the catacombs on the Appian Way after hours. Other stretches of the road are just open field and private villas. You can walk around the perimeter of the Colosseum after hours but won't be able to get in, same with the Baths of Caracalla and Forum.

Thanks Grinisa! Very thorough! Is there more than one catacomb (not counting the Necropolis)? Or should I look for the one at the Appian way as the one that holds tours?

Thanks!
Patricia

Sorry, I realize that was a really dumb question about there only being one catacomb.

I also wonder....
(is it worth it to reserve through a company in the US or do they overcharge as compared with calling or same day reservation charges)?

Thanks!
Patricia

As you probably have found out, there are several catacombs along the Appian Way. San Callisto is the largest but I like San Sebastiano the best. I wouldn't book any tour for the catacombs. Just go and take the tour that is included in the admission charge. The guides are very good. I never bother reserving times from the USA other than the Necropolis and once, the Borghese. Everything else can be done once you get to Rome.

Grinisa,

Thanks! What is the Necropolis like? Would you say that San Sebastiano is more interesting than the Necropolis...I can't decide. Do they have any late night tours of the catacombs?

Thanks!
Patricia

The Necropolis is commonly called the "Scavi." Do a search for Scavi and you will find lots of different threads with information. The tour takes place under St. Peter's Basilica and goes through an ancient Roman cemetary to the tomb of St. Peter. Catacombs, including St.Sebastiano, are completely different. As far as I know, there are no late night tours of the catacombs.