I've looked into making online reservations to museums, but the fees are astounding. Many place more than double the actual ticket prices. <BR><BR>Is there are reasonable alternative? Thanks.<BR><BR>PS This is the third time I've posted this message. The others havedisappeared.

I'll bet that your previous posts have not disappeared; they're just buried "deeper" than you think, in all probability.<BR><BR>For which museums are you encountering this?<BR><BR>Adding 50% does not strike me as entirely out of line (i.e., 3, on top of 6, for example).<BR><BR>It's all about what you value: time. money, convenience.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

For a Uffizi ticket, agencies are marking up thetickets 90-90%! It would cost almost $40 for two tickets. That is pure robbery.<BR><BR>I've made similar bookings in other countries and never paid more a couple dollar service fee. They really seem to rip off tourists in Italy. <BR><BR>I know. It's supply-demand. <BR>

Ask your hotel to do it. I think we paid about 3 euros last september.<BR>

Arnie<BR>Today I gave you some ticket info in your other posting.<BR>I don't know who "they" is but I don't think there is a conspiracy all over Italy to rip off tourists. As you mention, it's supply and demand.<BR>You do have the option of not paying the fee, and in some cases reserving directly with the museum, and in other cases foregoing the reservation and taking your chances.<BR>It's a lot less expensive anyway than say, Disney World tickets.<BR>The feeling of being ripped off is personal I suppose, one person's scam is another person's convenience.<BR>I'd be willing to pay quite a lot, for example, to have an advance timed ticket for the Vatican Museums next time, and that option is not available.

to the top<BR>

This is year old info from the Rick Steves website (www.ricksteves.com)..You could check for an upddate first:<BR><BR>For the Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello and Medici Chapel, you can telephone 055-294-883 (from the US, dial 011 first) during their office hours (Italy time!) of Mon-Fri 8:30-18:30, Sat 9:00 - 12:00. Choose a time, leave your name and you'l receive a 15 minute window of time for arrival. You will pass the line and pay cash upon arrival. Their fee (as of a year ago was only L2000 (about $1). You can do this while in Italy, reserving no later than 24 hrs in advance. <BR><BR>Another option, is to go in the evening hours, after 18:00 with no reservation. (Check hours for your particular dates)

Hi,<BR>I agree with Leslie, just don't forget the country code of 30 so 011-39 055 294 883. Very inexpensive option with tickets being 8.55 Euros for the Uffizi and a bit less for the Accademia. <BR><BR>Have fun,<BR>Jan