What next for Rome?
 

Whew, I have logged more internet hours with my Italy trip but I have finally finished all my hotel & car reservations. I planned this trip very late, but feel so blessed to be going with my hubby I don't care if everything is perfect. I leave October 5 and will be in Rome 6,7,12,13th. What is left, do I need reservations with museums, vatican, etc...what's critical? And how about a 1/2 day tour?

Molly, I'm starting to plan my trip also, but I have a lot more time than you. I would definately suggest reserving ahead for museums & tours unless you don't mind standing in long lines. Maybe you could email or call your hotel concierge for help in arranging them.

This thread has a lot of useful information: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

I think I gave you a bad link. Try this: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34836241

I think the only important booking for Rome is the Borghese Gallery, if you want to see it - certainly, with the Vatican Museum, the most outstanding painting gallery in Rome. The Scavi at the Vatican is a wonderful sight and must be prebooked too but you may have left it a bit late, and I wouldnt call it critical for a first visit. The situation at the Vatican Museum has changed over the last year or so making it more difficult to visit, I think for independent travelers - you should read the posts and see what it is.

Now that you have your accomodations books, I recommend doing reading on the sights in your remaining time - preparation is really critical in getting something out of a trip like this. We are independent travellers and often use walk books (like the Companion Guide, which I love, but there are others). In a dense City like Rome, there is fascinating history just about everywhere you look, not just a few sights, scattered. Its very different from Paris, in this regard, in which not very much really old stuff remains - in rome, the various layers of history are there to see everywhere you look. So read through some good guidebooks, try to get some ideas of what you would be interested in - make room to see some churches which are of many eras, from the early christian (with stunning mosaics) through the baroque (with eye-tricking designs).

Enjoy!

Hi,Molly4669. I agree with the others. Definitely request a reservation at the Galleria Borghese. http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/einfo.htm When you click for a reservation, you will be taken to ticketeria.it or something like that - just to let you know - I thought I was being hijacked by a scam site!

You didn't ask for suggestions on what to see, only on what to reserve. So, as others have posted, you may want to consider a tour of the Vatican Museums to avoid the very long line. Just be aware that you will not have a tour of "every part of the museums"; it is very extensive. Also, you may be shuffled out of the museums from the Sistine Chapel - so ask before the tour. If so, don't exit the Chapel with the tour, if you wish to continue seeing the museums. There is also a nite tour of the Sistine Chapel, so it can be enjoyed without the crowds. It is costly though. Haven't taken the nite tour, so I don't have that link, but a search on here should find it. As for the museums tour, go to the Vatican website, www.vatican.va Must fax request & for response, give your fax # & fax # of your Rome lodging. May not get tour info until you are there & may not get a tour at all. You can get V.Museums tours from private companies, but they cannot bypass the line - exception - according to this board, there are now some tour companies that can enter early before the general public (i.e. long line) - 8:30 & 9am, I think. This is the website I found on this board. Haven't used them. http://www.rome-museum.com/ From what I have read on this board, it seems that an early tour may be best. Some folks who took later tours said all rooms were packed with "bodies" & nothing could be seen.

http://www.romewalks.com/ I found this site on Fodors. Haven't used them, but other Fodorites like them. Just in case you are interested in such a tour.

contextrome.com seems to be a favorite tour company of Fodorites. Lots of glowing reviews.

Good luck & have a great trip, Julie

Molly look for the tour buses that circle Rome. We caught one last November - cost was about 12 Euro which allowed you to ride and get on and off from about 8am to 8pm. You can sit on the upper deck and get an overall view of Rome and then on the second go around get off at the different locations i.e. Vatican, Colesium etc and go visit. Then when ready you get back on and travel to your next spot. You can spend all day getting on and off, have lunch, etc and all for less than a taxi.

nice, I like the last idea and I will check out the borgehse, also, Sunday is a big touring date for us, will the vatican be off limits?