to reserve or not to reserve?
 

Can anyone advise...Is it worth it to reserve for major museums (i.e Borghese, Uffize, Accademia) through a company in the US or do they overcharge as compared with calling or same day reservation when in Italy???

Many thanks in advance!!!
P

It costs 3E extra to reserve by phone. If this company doesn't charge a surcharge above that (yeah right), then go ahead and let 'em book for you. We were in Florence last month and made our reservation upon arrival, and we got the days we wanted.

If you use the museum's reservation system itself, you pick up and pay for your tickets and a designated 'will call' type window. Bring your confirmation # and cash. They don't accept CCs.

Your hotel will often make reservations for you at no charge. Just ask.

Thanks :) Shellio, I hadn't thought of that. I guess there is slim chance of not being able to get a reservation if you have a limited amount of time do you think?

Thanks again!
Patricia

I think you would run a risk of not being able to get in if you did not reserve at the Galleria Borghese. They let only a certain, fairly limited number of people in each hour.

And I think it would be foolish not to reserve at the Uffizi. Would you really prefer standing in line for 3 or 4 hours instead of spending 3 Euros for a reservation?

Hi Pat,

Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
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.

Thanks ira! (sorry it's been so long)...I just realized I didn't say thanks!

I think I will call. Selectitaly shows $50 to reserve the Necropolis, and I can't imagine it should be this much?! I think I will go the calling route. Sounds cheaper.

Thanks again everyone!
Patricia

I have no idea who or what Selectitaly is, but I think I read a few days ago that they charge $50. for a "reservation" for the Sistine Chapel, which is utter nonsense. The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums, and the entrance fee is nowhere near that much. Moreover, the Vatican Museums take no reservations at all.

And as for what you insist on calling the Necropolis, it is most often referred to as the Scavi (under St. Peter's). And there is only ONE way of taking a Scavi tour: by reserving through the Web site of the Vatican:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/in...040112_en.html

Frankly, I think you've left it too late. Scavi tours are most often reserved months in advance. You might get lucky if you just call or go to the Excavations Office as described in the above Web site.