Paris and Rome
 

We have our trip to Paris and Rome planned and I guess we will go until we run out of time. I do have a few questions - Paris -1. Has anyone taken the #69 bus to see Paris (we would like to do that when we arrive just to get a feel for the city)? 2. What about the museum pass - is it worth it. We plan to go to St.Chapelle, maybe Paris Archaeological Crypt, Orsay museum, the Louve, Pantheon and the Arde Triomphe. There are two of us so is the pass worth the money? Do we save money? 3. Is it feasible to take spending money or should we take a credit card? If money, how much do you suggest? Are ATM machines easy to use?

Rome- 1. Has anyone been to the National Museum of Rome? Is it interesting? Worth the money? 2. What about the Cappuccin Crypt? Where is the Santa Maria Dells Immacolata Concezione Church?. 2. The same question regarding money. Credit card? Money? ATM machines. 3. I have heard that there is a evening walk from the Spanish Steps covering some sights in the city. If so, has anyone ever taken it? 4. Has anyone taken a day trip to Ostia Antica? We thought that would be a better choice than Pompeii which is further away. How long would the trip take and is it interesting? I printed out some info from the internet and it looks like it would be interesting. Please answer as many questions as possible. Thank you for your info.

Museum Pass - A number of people seem to use it and feel it's worth it, but whenever I price it out, we're not going to enough of the places included in the Pass to make it worth it (I think maybe because we spend more time in most locations that many people do). So I would say, look up the individual prices of the places you think you'll go to, total them, and see if they're cheaper than the Museum Pass.

If you're buying it to skip lines, with a number of museums (the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay, for sure, because we did this last year when we last visited) you can purchase the tickets ahead of time, and they are untimed and undated, so you can use them any time & skip the ticket lines.

ATMs are easy to use, and you should plan on using them as your source for cash; for everything else, use your credit card.

I liked the Museum of Rome, but didn't visit it until our 3rd or so trip to Rome. I went because I love mosaics, and they have a good collection (not in situ, of course). You'll have to decide yourself whether you're interested in what the museum has. Haven't been to the other places, I think.

Same answer re money.

We take our own evening walks in Rome. They always include: Piazza Navona; gelato at Giolitti; the Pantheon; and either the Trevi Fountain or Campo d'Fiori. It makes us happy!

We liked Ostia Antica, though it's not as impressive as Pompeii.

Thank you for your answers. I'm not sure if we will go to Ostia Antica or not. I will look up the prices for the places that the museum pass covers and decide from that. We are really getting excited! Probably can't do all that we have on our list but will do what we can and throw coins in the fountain to return - at least to Rome.

Yes, get the Paris Museum Pass. Get it when you get there at a tabac or at a smaller, less busy museum. No need to get it before you go. It's not so much that you will save money, but you will save time in the lines.

Just make sure to take note of the days that the museums you want to go to are closed. You do have to go on consecutive days. Their site will list all the museums and monuments that are included with the pass.

You need cash but get it from the ATMs there. You can certainly use credit cards at most places. I would try to use one that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. ATMs are very easy to use. Just make sure to notify your banks for ATM cards and for credit cards of your travel destinations and dates to avoid fraud alerts being placed on your account. You can buy some euros from US banks before your go, if you want to arrive with euros. They usually just need a few days notice. I have no idea what your budget is, but I usually get $200 in euros and if need more, then I get again from an ATM. We use credit cards more than cash but you do need cash

RE: money vs credit card vs atm card --- a topic which has been covered extensively ---

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-in-italy.cfm

DO make sure you contact your bank to advise you'll be in Paris/Rome and will be using your cards.

2. What about the Cappuccin Crypt? Where is the Santa Maria Dells Immacolata Concezione Church?.

It was donation last time I was there.
http://www.060608.it/en/cultura-e-sv...appuccini.html

The best value use for the Roma Pass (which includes Ostia Antica and transport to get there) is either the Colosseum/Forum/Palantine (counts as one entrance) and the Borghese (reservation required even with pass), Capitoline, Macro Contemporary. There's a list of National Museums so not sure which one you are interested in, but here's the pass list.
http://www.romapass.it/doc/sitiAdere...lietti_eng.pdf

Your first two entrances are deducted as your free entrances.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2

Thank you for the suggestions. They have been helpful! I hope we do well in Paris and Rome. Is the language in either country a problem? Thank you.

Went to the Cappuccin Crypt in May. They collect 1EU per person - well worth it! It was one of my favorite sites this trip.

Just to be clear, the National Museum of Rome is housed in three separate places: the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemps and Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. All three are interesting, but, if you only plan to visit one, you should pick the collection that interests you the most.

http://www.roma2000.it/zmunaro.html

Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini in on via Vittorio Veneto near Piazza Barberini.

http://www.cappucciniviaveneto.it/cappuccini_ing.html

I speak a little Italian but we have never had problems with the language in either Paris or Rome. Learn a few greetings and other phrases - the people in Paris are especialy appreciative.

If you decide not to get the museum pass for Paris, it is worth your time to purchase tickets for crowded spots ahead of time. The Orangerie often has long lines; you can get tickets at several places. Check in a guide book or on the specific museum's website.