Has anyone used weekend@firenze or weekend@venezia to pre-reserve museum tickets? They seem to be a good deal less expensive than selectitaly, but maybe there's a catch.

Hi

Which museums are you thinking of?

We used weekend@firenze to reserve tickets for a few things when we visited Italy in 2002. Very good service and absolutely no problems. Would use again.

To ira:
I was particularly thinking about the Uffizi, Galleria and Pitti Palace in Forence and "Secret" tour of Doge's Palace in Venice.

I guess if you demand certainty and a fixed schedule, and are willing to pay a premium, you would be happy with them. I think the actual reservation costs about 1.5 Euros, and you can get it by calling the day before, or having your hotel call. I have not had an occasion when we were unable to get a reservation for the next day, and I like the flexibility that gives to make changes at the last minute. One money-saver I have seen recommended is to call for the reservation, but when you get to the museum at the appointed time, look at the line, and if it is short, don't bother using the reservation.

Yes, and no problems what so ever. Granted, you do pay a little more but I wanted to make sure I had the exact times I wanted BEFORE I left the US.

I used weekend@firenze last summer to book several museums, including the Accademia. When we arrived at the Accademia at the scheduled time, the door attendant took one look at our reservation form and just waved us (without explanation) to the end of an already long line. After standing in line for 45 mintues, we were finally admitted at the tail end of a German tour group. I never could figure what good the reservation did for us. Of course we paid a fee for use of the service. Emails to weekend@firenze were not returned.

Also had W@F reservations at the Capelle Medici, and walked right in. Of course, smaller crowds at the Capelle Medici. Not sure I would use them again since it didn't gain me anything, and cost more than the regular entrance fee.

PVB, do a text search for a thread called "Helpful Information Italy." That thread contains all the telephone numbers to make Italy museum reservations, specifically those in Florence and Venice.

We reserved before we left the US and it was very simple. The reservation fee when telephoning is also less than the fee when reserving on line. If you arrive the museum and there is no line, you are not obligated to use your reservation. You don't pay for anything until you arrive.

Good luck.

Hi PVB,

If you follow statia's advice you will find, among other important pieces of info, the following

Uffizi musem Academia Museum

The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 1.60 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.

If there are no lines when you get there, you will not have to use your reservation and you will not be charged.

I don't think that you will need reservations for the Pitti Palace.

Secret Itineraries tour of Doge?s palace
the number for reservations more than one day ahead is 011 39 041-520-9070.

If you do't show up you will not be charged.