el13207

We fly into Rome Saturday evening April 24 and plan to visit the Colosseum/ Forum/Pantheon the next day, Sunday, April 25 (have already booked the Vatican for the 26th and Borghese for the 27th and leave on the 28th, so this is the only day available).

Today I'm learned that not only is the 25th a national holiday (which I already knew), but it will fall during the 2010 Culture Week when historical sites and museums are apparently free for all. What can we expect in terms of crowds, restaurants being open on the holiday, etc.?

We had planned on buying the Roma Pass to cover admission to the Colosseum and the Borghese, but wonder if it's necessary now, since we probably won't use much of the transport part of the pass, and the Colosseum will apparently be free.

Any advice or strategies would be appreciated!

Zerlina

The holiday on April 25, Liberation Day, does not have any effect on museums, archeological sites or restaurants being open. And since it's a Sunday, most shops and offices would be closed in any case; tourist shops that are always open on Sunday will be open.

Culture Week is from April 16 to 25. The Colosseum/Roman Forum/Palatine Hill will be open and crowded, but not necessarily more so than on an ordinary Sunday. Since tickets are still issued (to track visitor numbers), get them at the Roman Forum or Palatine entrance, where lines are always much shorter than at the Colosseum.

The Roma Pass would not be advantageous if you only use it for the Galleria Borghese.

kybourbon

Were you charged for the Borghese reservation or did you call and tell them you were using a Roma Pass? The Borghese is included in Culture Week, but still requires a reservation. You can book this online (with the Roma Pass, you can't book online, you have to call)and it will only charge you a reservation fee of 3€ per person.
http://www.ticketeria.it/ticketeria/...mento-eng.asp#

You can purchase a transport only pass if you plan to use a lot of public transportation during the week.
3 day pass is 11€
7 day pass is 16€
http://www.atac.roma.it/index.asp?p=19&i=14

el13207

Yes, I've called the Borghese awhile ago to say I would be paying for the tickets with our Roma Pass,and thus already have a reservation #. I assume if we end up NOT buying the Roma Pass I can just pay for the full price at the Borghese when we show up- yes? (since Culture Week will have ended by the time we visit the Borghese on the 27th). Thanks a lot, kybourbon and Zerlina, for your informative and helpful comments.

aaronw

I found some good infos at http://www.iloverome.net/week-of-cul...of-april-2010/ about what is open and what is not.

amitgoda

I have been reading the replies...you guys are really helpful...i am also going to be travelling to rome arnd that time (24 april-27 april)...i had a couple of questions:

Is Roma pass useful for entry to the vatican museums (I mean can the vatican museums and sistine chapel be included in the 2 free allowed sites using the pass)

Secondly, will the vatican museums and sistine chapel be open on April 25 (considering that it is the last Sunday of the month)...if yes, i read somewher that the entry will be free on this sunday, is that correct?

I'll appreciate the replies.

kybourbon

No, the Vatican Museum is not part of the Italian state museums as it's in Vatican City and owned by the Vatican. I wouldn't go on the free Sunday as the museum closes early and the lines are really long to enter. I've seen people standing in line on the free Sunday not get in as they cut entrance off at a certain point so they can close on time. You can book tickets online with the Vatican either for entrance only or guided tours.
Tickets:
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...nfo_Orari.html
Tours:
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...zi_Visite.html

amitgoda

thanks for the suggestion kybourbon...i think we r gonna skip the idea of goin to vatican on sunday and instead go ther on monday...u think i should go for a guided tour or just the general admission to the vatican museums????