Help with Rome Trip in Feb!?

Question

Hello. I'm planning a trip to Italy in Feb and although I have been to Rome twice before, I have always been involved with group tours. This trip, I'd like to go out on my own and do things at my pace -- my question is how long of a line should I expect at the Vatican? Any rules or anything I need to know to get into the sistine chapel? (not clothing, I know those, but looking more for times to show up, etc). I already booked the Scavi Tour and am open to other suggestions in and around Rome! Thanks!!!

Answer 1

i ll agree with the user above..I ll add that for galleria borghese you need absolutely reservation, and in the capella sistina pictures are not allowed, not even to sit on the chairs...

Dont forget to see Santa Maria sopra Minerva, the church of Jesus, Pantheon,Piazza Navona,piazza venezia, altare della patria...

Also Aventino, the park of orangers, and Gianicolo where the canon gives the signal at 12.00.

Answer 2

Hi,

I once got a good tip when I planned a visit to the sistine chapel and that was to go there around one o'clock or just past lunchtime.

Usually there aren't long queues at this time as most peaple start to line up early in the morning befor it opens.

Hope this will be the situation for you too!

Answer 3

You may want to sign up for a group tour of the Vatican in order to avoid the long lines and have access to the Sistine Chapel early in the morning.  Entrance during the first hour is reserved exclusively for tour groups.  You can reserve a ticket as part of a guided group or as a group entry (no guide).  Entry for the public begins at 10 am, so if you go on your own, I'd suggest arriving no later than 9:30 am.  Although in Feb. the lines shouldn't be as long as other times of the year.  To simplify things, don't bring a backpack.  You'll have to go through metal screening and the less you have the quicker it will go.  Then once inside, bypass all the wonderful Vatican Museum exhibits and head straight through to the chapel with determination.  You may want to bring along a pair of small travel binoculars to see the frescoes up close.  I found it better to stand to the side (where there was less of a crush) and look up and across.  Being in the center of the room and looking straight up for any length of time is a killer on your neck.

If you haven't been to the Borghese Museum and Gardens yet, you should definitely add it to your list.  You'll need an advance reservation, as admission is limited.  The villa and the Bernini sculptures within are nothing short of breath taking.  I'd highly recommend signing up for an English speaking tour.  Our guide had a terrific sense of humor and really brought the artwork and the characters who collected them to life.  Here's a link to the official website if you need it: http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/...