thanks canuck08. I am actually not going to make the kids tour the musuem which unfortunately means I also won't get to see the Sistine Chapel but instead will just go to St. Peter's Basillica and then climb the dome.

Anyone else?

I would allow at least an hour for the dome, perhaps more for waiting in line. The actual climb if there were no lines, might be 15 minutes in each direction, but there are spots to stop along the way for the view both inside and out and many linger at the top. More people might mean there will be a line both outside and during the climb.

You've been asking about the heat in Rome in mid-June, and I've always found it to be pretty hot and humid, easily over 90 degrees F! I'll be there in June as well and am bracing myself. You mention in your initial question that you're used to hot and dry; the high humidity in Rome might take some getting used to!

For shopping, you might want to consider Via del Corso -- it's a popular, busy street that runs right through the city's historic centre and has an enormous number of shops that young shoppers would love. (Miss Sixty, La Rinascente department store, Blue Sand, List, Le Group, Etam, Ethic, Sisley, Benetton.)

Even better, there's a mini-mall on Via del Corso, not too far from the Pantheon, called the Galleria Alberto Sordi. It's a gorgeous building and houses Calvin Klein, Zara, and Jam, a three-story mashup of young and hip clothes and accessories.

On Saturday afternoons, the city sometimes closes part of Corso to traffic, so pedestrians can more freely roam.

ellenem- Any tips on climbing the dome as to not have to wait in line forever. Guess it's no reservations for it from what I'm gathering.

sacc- Thank you for answering about the heat. So you say it is more humid; perhaps like in Florida? We're from Sacramento where it gets real hot but it's a dry heat although we have spent time in the south where it's miserbly humid.

I will also bookmark your shopping tips for DD; thanks!

For the dome, you just have to stand in the line. In the past, part of the line was for the elevator, which meant if you wanted to climb ALL the way, you could skip part of the wait. However, you have to climb twice as much!

Thanks. I guess we'll have to weigh it out on whether to do the elevator or just the stairs based on the wait time in line, the heat and how we are feeling that day.

I've just returned from Rome and we did visit the Capuchin Monks crypt - the weirdest, most bizarre thing I have ever seen but it is definitely open and it is just a donation to get in.

I remember walking down the (via?) Corso that there were lots of shops with (what I thought anyway) very reasonably priced items - quite suitable for a 15 year old! It's a great street to stroll down and shop and or window shop. But there are many places that you'll come across just the same.

I never travel in summer so can't help with the weather.

It would be a shame to miss out on the Vatican Art museums and the Sistine Chapel. I would really recommend a guided tour through - it really is very interesting and you don't need to be an art buff to appreciate it. I did the Context Rome Vatican art tour but someone else has recommended Angel Tours and I did their colosseum tour and was extremely satisfied with the content and the price was fantastic. It would be well worth your while to at least check Angel Tours vatican tour - I couldn't imagine taking myself through unguided.

I'm sure you'll love Roma!