Hi,

I am going to Italy in May and want to prepare for fast entrances into some of the galleries and museums that I would love to go to, to avoid wasting time in long lines. We are hitting Venice, Florence, Rome and the AC.

I have emailed my hotel in Florence to make reservations for me at Uffizi and Accademia (I heard this is a good way to do reservations???). I have also sent a request for the Scavi tour. Should I also make reservations elsewhere?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Also, we have 5 days in Rome, any suggestions for a day trip out of Rome? We also have 4 days in AC, staying in Praiano. Any advice for day trips there as well? I am trying to fine tune my itineray without closing it off too much, I want some room for spontinaity!

Thanks!

You should get in a Vatican-approved group tour of the Vatican Museum. Otherwise, the lines are *huge*.

Hi K,

Secret Itineraries tour of Doge’s palace Phone number is 011 39 041 520 9070. English-speaking operator.

You will not be charged for your tickets if you don't go on the tour.

You might find my trip report useful:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Thanks for the info.

As for the vatican tour, should I wait for the Scavi tour confirmation prior to booking something for the Vatican? I assume it is best to do both tours in one day. Any suggestions for a tour company?

Also, can anyone make day trip suggestions? I am thinking about Pisa or Sienna from Florence. Although we only have 2 days in Florenece, I may leave this out. I expect to visit Herculium and Pompeii from Praiano, as well leisurely tours of Sorrento, Ravello and Positano, and perhaps a trip over to Capri if time permits. Is there anywhere from Rome to take a tour of? I have 5 days in Rome, maybe I should just leave it to be a leisurely exploration of Rome?

Thanks agin,
K

HI K,

One of my highlights in Rome was the Borghese Gallery. You must have advance reservations for it as they only allow 2 hour time slots. Again, you are not charged for your tickets if you don't use the res, but do go!

If you find you want a day trip out of Rome, I really enjoyed going to Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana) and Villa D'Este in Tivoli, about an hour by metro & bus out of Rome.

Type in "side trips from Rome" in the search field above and you'll find several great threadds about it.

If you go to the Galleria Borghese, take some time to stroll thru the huge and beautiful park that is next to the museum.

Orvieto, about an hour northwest of Rome, is amazing. Breathtaking duomo, Etruscan caves and museum, ceramics shops. And the approach by car was like nothing I had experienced before; it sits on top of a tufa outcrop - kind of like candles on a birthday cake.