Is it possible to make reservations at the Vatican museums to aviod line without taking a tour or can this only be done with a tour company?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR>KD

Dear KD,<BR>I live and work in Rome as a tour guide and the Vatican Museums are one of the tours that we cover.<BR>No it is not possible to make a reservation for the Vatican Museums. Not even tour companies can do this. However if you want to avoid the line at its worst then I suggest you don't do what so many other people do, ie rush off there first thing in the morning hoping to beat the crowds. With everyone trying this it is the most crowded. The best time to enter the Museum is around lunch time when people and the big tour operators are taking lunch breaks.<BR>However please note that if you are planning to come over the winter months the last entry into the Vatican Museum at this time of the year is at 12.30pm. You then have another hour before you must exit. Keeping in mind that the Sistine Chapel is right at the end of the route to through the Museums (and that they often start locking it up at about 1.15pm) I strongly recommend that you enter no later than 11.30am to see the most important galleries.<BR>If you want to email me direct (or if anyone else does) I can give you information on the small group tour that we have at the Vatican Museum and you can also look up our "links" page with a listing of Museum booking offices should you wish to visit any others such as the wonderful Borghese Museum.<BR>If you need any other help please feel free to contact me.<BR>Marianna

Marianna, thanks for information. However, here is no advertising and promoting your own business

I was most impressed by how fast the entry line moved for the VM. We were about a block away from the entrance, and got in within 10 minutes. <BR>

Yes, the line really does move fast. When we were there, the line snaked all the way around for blocks and blocks. I estimated about 3 hours and wanted to leave, but my mom talked me out of it. It ended up being an hour, which really isn't so bad at all.

We just returned last night and experienced no long lines anywhere in Rome, Florence, or Venice. I was told that it's one of the best things about going this time of the year! Our longest line was at the Colosseum--with maybe 20 people in front of us.

We just returned from Rome & did go to the Vatican galleries. We used Scala Reale Tours & it was a highlight of the trip! I would highly recommend it. Any reasons as to why you wish to avoid a tour? Scala Reale uses only art historians & architects & keeps the groups small. Our group had 6 people & we spent 4 glorius hours with a PhD Art Historian and loved every minute of it.<BR><BR>I will say that with regard to crowds, the Vatican tours usually run twice/day (am & pm) during the high season. As it is the low season now, the tours are only in the am. It was very crowded when we were there.<BR><BR>Scala Reale tours were 100.000 lire/person (~ $50) & well worth it.<BR><BR>Kate

Kate, what was your experience like in the Sistine Chapel? I know you were a part of a small tour, but what I have heard is that the Sistine Chapel is so full of other tour groups and people that it is crowded and difficult to appreciate with it being so noisy and flash bulbs going off - when they should not be.<BR>What was your experience like?

We were there in Sept. We rushed through the VM without stopping to get into the Sistine chapel - it was almost deserted - maybe about 15 or 20 people.<BR>Then we carried on back to the main entrance, and went through the pinoteca and the whole museum more slowly. When we got back,it was crowded; all the seats along the sides were full, the guards had to ask people not to sit on the step up to the altar. They were also much more fussy about "no photos". The first time, one fellow was videotaping in plain view.

There aired last Wednesday 11/21 on PBS an excellent show on the workings of the Vatican. We found it very interesting and learned much about the everyday routines involved in running the tiny city/nation. The website is<BR>http://www.pbs.org/whatson/press/nov01/natgeo_vatican.html<BR>As they say, "check your local listings" to see if it is airing/re-airing in your area.

The Sistine Chapel was so crowded when I visited that I really couldn't enjoy it.

just returned from venice,rome and florence. At this time of the year there are no lines whatso ever with the exception of a 30 min at the Coluseum. Keep in mind that the Vatican museums close early and do not allow enrty after 1230pm. Their beautiful so don"t miss out. We did the audio tapes vs. tour. For the David in florence we just walked right in.