Can anyone visit the Vatican Crypt and Vatican Gardens on their own, or does one have to be on a tour.

If I have to be on a tour is it too late to book for May 6, 2005? With whom?

You may visit the crypt area on your own, but I think visits to the gardens are limited. There was a thread on that subject not too long ago; a search might bring it up.

Those areas can only be seen on escorted tours - and the number of people for each tour is extrremely limited.

Given the papal election and installation I have no idea if the tours will be running when you are there.

You need to contact the ufficio scavi, Vatican City giving a range of dates you have available and what hotel you will be staying at. They will notify you if they have room. You need to turn up before the tour starts with your passport so you can be properly ID'd.

I would think your chances are very small at this point - since there are few tours.

There is a difference between the crypt and the Scavi area. Which are you asking about?
The Scavi is the one which requires a guided tour, and trust me, they are hard to get!

May I add on? What are the gardens like? Do they have lots of flowers or are they just greenry like the Boboli Gardens in Florence?

Whatsoninrome.com indicates that the Vatican gardens will be closed until 3 days after the new pope is elected.

It has been about 15 years since I took the Vatican Gardens tour so my memory is a bit fuzzy. That being said, I remember mostly greenery and fountains, but few flowers. I enjoyed getting a "behind the scenes" feel of a part of the Vatican few people see and remember it being very peaceful and pleasant despite being in the midst of a busy city.

News reports from this morning indicate the tomb will now be open to the public to visit JPII tomb. Reports don't indicate if this is temporary or permanent.
Here's the URL from CNN,
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/eu....cardinals.ap/