Will be with family of 5 in Rome for 4 nights early June?

Question

Would like to make reservations for the Vatican Museum / Sistine chapel and Coliseum. Is there an official web site? Any recommendations?

Answer 1

I don't think you can reserve tickets for any of those places.  

get the guided tour at the colosseum, and you won't have to wait in line, it is a little pricey (16 euro including admission) but with out it your just looking at ruins.  

for the vatican- get there early.  the museum line was a hour when i was there in the off season.  do the museum first, it will be packed and it is huge.  if you can still walk and look up when you are done, go to the basilica which is free and right next door.  also be careful on the bus to the vatican, this is the most likely place to get robbed.  if there is any kind of commotion, assume someone is trying to steal from you.

try the rick steve's rome guide book ( you can get last years for really cheap)  

Have fun!

Answer 2

ROME -- recommend hotels along the via della conciliazione (www.hotelcolumbus.it) - right by the Vatican and close to the metro - very central. also right by the Borgo Pio which has great shops, bakeries, tratorria's etc. 
the pope usually has a general audience on Wednesday’s - free but you need a ticket.
vatican museum 12 euro's and another 3 at the coffee shop on the corner while you're waiting in line and take turns to run and get coffee LOL
postcards are between 1 or 2 for 1euro
when you go into churches you will have books for purchase -some of them are worth it and very interesting - about 5 euro - they will also have lighting for the main artwork - this ranges between the half and 1 euro - hand on to your coins as you can't usually get change!
colossuem was 10 euro (and watch out for the crooks in front in roman garb who pose for pictures with you -- i got rooked when i had nothing smaller than a 20 and he said 5 euro's each! they are NOT part of the facility!!!)
castle san angelo 6 euro and make sure you know the history - made it more worth while
roasted chestnuts in Piazza Navonna - 3 eor's and a must!
pizza (lunch) 7-10 euro's
dinner 30 euro's should work - sometimes more sometimes less.
2-5 euros - gelato
1.10 euro - candy bar

go to www.romaturismo.it and they had a SUPER map that was our saving grace! i still have it as i mapped out various walking tours. it has the metro and city all mapped out and detailed. the metro was great and we didn't have any problem with street beggers, pick pockets or anythinng. just walk keeping your eyes open that's all!



you have to get up to the Gianicolo & San Pietro on the Janniculum Hill and there is a church atop the mt. where they say St Peter was crucified -- it's a spot most people DO not visit as it's not the "famous" one -- it was darling and really something to see!

the other book i recommend = knopf mapguides - it's just perfect in size and has most of the information for the basics.

one thing i did that might sound silly.... i had a small journal with me everywhere and took notes - sometimes simple ones but.... with 6 days it can get a little overwhelming and you don't want to miss out on remembering just what that picture was! for example - to the left of the street coming up to the vatican is a little know church called Santo Spirito - it was built in the 1200's Michelangelo did the ceiling - it was a hospital at one point during one of the many sieges/battles and returned to a church! the ceiling was beautiful!

thanks for the trip down memory lane and have a lovely time!!! Ooh dress in layers and take a scarf or hat!!! a sturdy wind proof jacket would work best!

sorry this is sooooo long but i had to *** because i almost forgot - the Scala Santa - right across from St John Lateran - it was really something!

ooh and most places close in the afternoon about 4p then the restaurants open at 7-8pm.