maryanne22

My husband, son and I will be in Rome from July 17 to July 21 (2014). We would like to see the Forum (and Colosseum) , Vatican (especially Sistine Chapel). Many of my friends are telling me that I can arrange tours, tickets, etc. when I arrive in Italy, also that there will be better opportunities and cheaper prices after I arrive. Which sights are important to get advance reservations for while still in US. We'll only have 3 days and are planning to see Roman ruins (Forum, Colosseum) one day and next day see Vatican. Other day is open.

bvlenci

You can get entrance tickets for the Vatican Museums and the three ancient Roman sites (Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which are included in a single ticket) online, which will allow you to skip the lines, and which cost a lot less that tours. You can't get these tickets any cheaper in Rome than you can get them online, unless you want to queue for hours to get them without a reservation fee.

You may be able to get tours cheaper in Rome than you can get them online, but they are a mixed bag. Some may be excellent, while others are of inferior quality. If I'm going to pay extra for a tour, which I rarely do, I want to do some research and find one that's really worth the extra money. Otherwise, I'd rather just buy the entry tickets.

The official site for entry tickets for the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine is:

http://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm

The official site for entry tickets to the Vatican Museums is:

http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/...?weblang=en&do

It seems you'll be in Rome on a Friday. In that case, I strongly urge you to visit the Vatican Museums on the Friday evening. The night visits are much less crowded than the daytime visits, especially in the summer, and especially on summer weekends.

St. Peter's Basilica is free to enter, but it often has a very long queue for security. If you go to the Vatican Museums on the Friday evening, I suggest you visit the Basilica first, in the late afternoon (around 4:30 or 5 PM), when the queues are usually short or nonexistent. The Basilica closes at 7 PM, which is when the Friday evening visits at the Vatican Museums begin. It takes 15-20 minutes to walk around the Vatican Walls to get to the Museums from St. Peter's Square.

kybourbon

>>>also that there will be better opportunities and cheaper prices after I arrive. <<<

You won't find entry tickets any cheaper than the official sites that bvlenci linked above. Both sites offer tours of their own also (on the links). You can also rent audio guides at both sites.

cathies

We are just back from Rome and I think it's worth noting that while the queue to get through security and into St. Peter's can be long, it moves quickly. The only distressed people we saw was a couple who had pre booked tickets but couldn't work out where to collect them. I'm willing to bet we had faster entry than they did.

Rostra

Just to give you an idea of the costs of a hi-end top rated tour company (ContextRome) with small group tours (6 persons max).

http://www.contexttravel.com/city/ro...07-17&gw=group
--(OR)-- http://tinyurl.com/nrbcqb4


And a 'Plan B' for the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill in case you want to DIY or not buy tickets in advance or something goes wrong for the day you advanced booked?


www.capitolium.org/eng/fori/pianta.htm (Map)

From the Colosseum walk-down the 'Via di San Gregorio', see where this cul-de-sac (`)== is to the left of the 'EG' in "GREGORIO", that is the Palatine Hill Ticket entrance. (No or very short Lines! Get your tickets there even if you skip the Palatine and have to walk back (~300m) to the Colosseum and then later head over to the Forum)

(Photo of Palatine Hill entrance)
http://inspiringpretty.com/wp-conten...ome-italy.jpeg
(OR) http://tinyurl.com/k7lzwe2

(IF you decide to visit the Palatine Hill)

To the left of the entrance is either a direct naturally stepped steep path or a zig-zag (less steeper) path up the slope (this path takes you past an aqueduct) and both these areas are in a tree-like rustic park.

At the top walk straight across (right to left on the map) and view the ruins of an Emperor's massive Palace, then the modest 2 houses of Emperor Augustus and his wife and finally outside under a roof the post holes and drainage channels cut into bedrock that once had mud-thatched huts of Rome's original Founders build there (it has been claimed since ancient times to be the Hut of Romulus).

Now walk up on the map and near #1 (Arch of Titus) you can either exit here (this is an Exit ONLY #22) and walk over to the Colosseum or
walk thru the Roman Forum with the Entrance/Exit at #41 (so if you skip the Palatine Hill and walk back and visit the Colosseum this #41 is where later you can enter the Roman Forum).

Also IN the Roman Forum you can exit behind #16 (Arch of Septimus Severus: This is an Exit ONLY also) and up the stairs to the Capitoline Hill (2 fabulous museums) and see the Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo and exit down its grand staircase to the Via Teatro di Marcello.

jan47ete

We bought tics for the Vatican Museum for the first entry time (I believe 8am). So you bypass the line and enter the line "with tickets". You will get a map of the museum and 2 ways to get to the Sistine Chapel. We did an extremely FAST walk, the 2nd route-the short route. When we got to the Chapel it was only my husband and I for about 15 minutes, no one else. It was heavenly.

We left, started over on tour route 1 and ended back at the Chapel with about 10,000 other people (exaggerating but not by much).

One of the top 10 trips of our life was the Scavi Tour under St. Peters. Timed entry, 6 visitors I believe every 1.5hrs. Site of the early churches and St. Peter's burial spot. FABULOUS. Entry though is on the completely opposite side than the entry to the Vatican Museum.

Coliseum and Forum entry is timed as well or at least it was when we were there 2-3 years ago. So as your time is limited, would buy in advance. My concern about tics like these is weather. I've bought tics, it's pouring at my scheduled time, then what? Whereas if it's raining at the time you thought you might go there, you can at least go somewhere inside and take your chances later when maybe the weather clears.

kybourbon

>>>Coliseum and Forum entry is timed as well or at least it was when we were there 2-3 years ago. So as your time is limited, would buy in advance. My concern about tics like these is weather. I've bought tics, it's pouring at my scheduled time, then what<<<

Not accurate. You aren't selecting an entry time unless you are booking a tour. Colosseum/Forum tickets are good for two days from the first use and don't even obligate you to use them the day you pick them up. You can access the ticket reservation window (different line than people buying tickets), pick up your tickets and leave. You can come back the next day to use them or a month later. They aren't validated until you pass through the turn-style. You can also print them at home.

ticket on-line
- full entrance € 12.00
- free entrance just to collect onsite + reservation fee: € 2,00
the tickets is valid for 2 days from the first use and you can use it within 31 december 2014