BulawayoBaby

Hi everyone

We (hubby, me and 18 month old daughter) are going to be in Rome mid-September. From what I have read it seems that it is not as busy as July and August, but is still pretty crowded.

My hubby desperately wants to see the Vatican, but I am not sure that our daughter will survive the crowds. We do have a baby backpack and not a stroller but I'm not sure if this will make any difference.

I thought that maybe he should go and see it whilst I take our daughter to Villa Borghese or somewhere else that she can run around freely for a while.

Has anyone got any advice to offer regarding this? I would like to see the Vatican myself, but would not like to risk my daughter having a fit because it is too hot or crowded or whatever.

Thanks very much.

halfapair

When you say "Vatican," do you mean St. Peter's Basilica or the basilica and all the museums with in the Vatican?

If you are just going to see St. Peter's Basilica, then go early in the morning and get through security before the crowds get crazy.

If you want to see the museums, the basilica & the Sistine Chapel, then go on a walking tour that will take you through and help you avoid the worst crowds.

When does your baby normally nap? Maybe you could time part of the visit during nap time when she can snooze in the stroller.

BulawayoBaby

Thanks halfapair.

To clarify I do mean the museums, Sistine Chapel et al.

She sleeps around midday, but is a very light sleeper. I would need to be back in our accommodation for her to get a decent rest.

How many hours should I plan for the tour? I have heard that it can take up to 7 hours??

jamikins

Hi there,

We used www.enjoyrome.com and I believe their tour was 3 hours that took you through some of the museums, the Sistine chapel and St Peters.

I would make sure you gave a pram or baby buggy as the tour involved a lot of standing.

Enjoy!
Jamie

Delaine

On my last visit to Rome I visited the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica on my own, without a personal or rented audio guide. (I had previously been to all three, but my visit to the museums consisted of a mad-dash straight to the Sistine Chapel).

I arrived at the Museum entrance sometime around 11 or noon (after having flown in from NYC and left my bags at my hotel). There was no line whatsoever (this was in March). I had done extensive research ahead of time and knew what particular paintings/sculptures I wanted to see and in which galleries they were located, as well as the general layout of everything. I therefore saved a great deal of time by not wandering aimlessly.

If you truly want to see "the Vatican" too, (and I highly recommend it) I would perhaps suggest taking the option I took. That way you can go at your own pace and not be constrained by a guide--live or audio.

WebVisionItaly

The museum will take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. Italians love babies so it is not issue like the baby is not allowed. The issue is can you and hubby carry baby? There are plenty of places for a rest but it is big, lots of walking, and lots to see.

Certainly there is plenty of room to run around at the Borghese. great art there too - but it is not the Vatican Museum or even close. Plenty of room around the outisde of the Vatican too.

For me, my eyes are full of eating art, especially the most incredible art collection in one place, after about 4 hours. We were in Rome during May and spent two mornings at the Vatican - about 8A to 1P. Could have spent more but I was just too full. Needed some time to digest over zucchini flowers and pallaird!




The first we did the St Peters and the second we did the museum. We've been to the museum many times and it continues to amaze and inspire us.

LJ

I realize that I am in the minority here, but I wouldn't take an 18-month old child into the Vatican museums-you will just stress yourself (and your husband) out.

Plan a picnic with baby..go to the gardens and have a little down time alone with her and let her have her nap at the regular time.

You can see the wonders of the Vatican museum/Sistine Chapel with her 16 years from now when both of you will enjoy it to the max!

BulawayoBaby

Thanks to all for the suggestions and advice. After reading what you have said, it would seem a shame to have to do a mad dash through without really enjoying the experience.

What we have decided to do is each of us go on a different day, whilst the other spends time with our child somewhere nice and relaxing!

Having read some of the other threads, I think I will go with the tour offered by the Vatican. Hubby says he wants to wander around at his own speed.

BB

PeaceOut

Since your husband desperately wants to see the Vatican, I really think it's do-able with your baby along. We did the Vatican tour, which is two hours, through the museums and ending in the Sistine Chapel. From the Chapel, you can exit the back door and go directly into St. Peter's Basilica, without standing in line again. You could do the whole thing in 3.5 hours, without rushing.

Go to the Vatican website, and e-mail your request for a tour reservation. You will receive a confirmation, to print and take with you. You will pay when you get there. It's a very small fee for their guided tour with headsets, in English.

After the tour, your child can run around a bit in St. Peter's square, while you take a break and admire the sculptures at the top of the buildings.

I can't imagine going to Rome, wanting to see the Vatican, and not seeing it. Very disappointing.

F1Fanatic

If you do chose to go to the Vatican, cover-up! the rules say you cannot go into the premises with your legs or arms bare....they will 'rent' you clothes, but I recommend wearing long pants/shirt.

PeaceOut

I'm not sure the previous post is entirely correct in saying long sleeves and long pants are required.

Check the Vatican website for the dress code. I believe you can wear short sleeve tops and capri pants or a skirt, and sandals.

They do not allow bare shoulders, sleeveless tops, tank tops, or shorts.

BulawayoBaby

Thanks PeaceOut for the advice. I have emailed to see if there are any available tours.

F1Fanatic - thanks for the reminder to dress correctly. However, from what I have read on this forum, PeaceOut is correct in saying no bare shoulders, etc

Vttraveler

Bulawayo Baby_-I think you and your husband are wise to schedule different days for touring the Vatican museums rather than trying to see them with an 18 month old toddler. It depends on the child but we would not have enjoyed trying to see them with either of our two (great but lively) kids at that age.

Your daughter and one parent might enjoy the Janiculum hill and Botanical gardens one day--south of the Vatican. You can take a bus up to the top of the Janiculum. I know there are sometimes puppet shows for kids but am not sure of the timing.

kybourbon

I'm not sure what you have been reading. September is high season for Italy. Last half of July and August in Rome are more of off season.

BulawayoBaby

VTTraveller - thanks for the suggestion. I will find out the time of the shows.

Kybourbon - the guide book I have says that the busiest months are June, July and August and for a calmer (but still busy) visit, try May or September.

kybourbon

The last half of July and all of August, the rooms are reduced as the Italians leave the cities for vacation and to escape the heat. You can find really good bargains in the cities during that period. If you will check individual hotel websites, you will find that the cost of rooms for June or Sept. will be the same. Most will list them as either mid or high-season. Some only list high-season as the two weeks at Easter and Christmas.

High season in Italy will generally be May, June, first half of July (unless coastal/rural areas), September, October. For coastal and rural (Tuscany, etc.) include all of July and August.

BarbaraJ

Kybourban is correct. Our first trip was the end of June/beginning of July and our second trip was in the beginning of October. We couldn't believe how much more crowded it was in October and how much more it cost!

lucybell1

We spent a week in Rome last September. My previous visit had been in mid July. Althought it was still very crowded in September, it FELT less crowded. Now that I reflect that could be due to 2 factors...
1) The weather. In July it is sweltering hot and steamy, no shade in the city for relief. There is a certain "edge" to the constant crowds when you're overheated and sweaty and tired. But in Sept, ahhhh...perfecto weather. It was pleasantly warm and sunny during the days, nice and cool at night. I often brought a light sweater with me when we left for dinner.
2) Escaping the crowds- We stayed in an apt across the river in the south Trastevere neighborhood. It's a traditional old Roman neighborhood far, far away from the maddening crowds but still convenient to everything IMO. The south (vs.north) part of Trastevere is especially quiet. There are still lots of fun restaurants, etc but you're away from the big tourist attractions and traffic. So after a day of sightseeing with the masses, we always came back to peaceful, quiet little streets with kids playing soccer in the alleys and laundry hanging from the windows. That made all the difference in our trip. For us, it was essential to NOT stay in the middle of the madness.

Whereever you stay, whatever you do, have a wonderful, fun and memorable trip! One tiny word of warning, pls don't be put off by the graffiti and garbage. It is everywhere and can be shocking at first if you're not expecting it amongst these sacred, ancient buildings. But there it is and I guess it's the modern world mixing with the ancient world and once you get used to it, it's just part of the whole wild trip of being in BELLA ROMA!

catherinehaas

Last September my son and I went to Rome and the Vatican was a must see. I planned the trip and bought a tour ahead of time. www.selectitaly.com. Review the Vatican's website for dates/times to ensure it is open when you want to go. By purchasing the tour ahead of time, it allowed us to walk past the 4+ hour line and walk right in. You go into the "Tour Group" entrance. We did not take the tour, so we paid $30 to avoid the 4+ hour line. MORE than worth it in my opinion. I found it strange that some tour groups were standing in line. The confirmation we received from selectitaly stated "Do NOT stand in line". It was my shining moment with my son. We got tickets for several sights on this website. My only concern is that the tours might be full at this point...

Rome was pretty crowded during September but never having been there I have nothing to benchmark that against. If this was "fewer" tourists than the summer months, I would hate to go during the summer. September for us was PERFECT.

Enjoy. Rome is such a spectacular place and we cannot wait to go back... Already planning for next year.

kybourbon

catherinehaas - The entrance rules for the Vatican museums are not the same as they were last year. I don't think Select Italy even offers that option anymore since the Vatican has somewhat cracked down on this practice since last year. Select Italy is $151 per person for a Vatican Museum tour.

BulawayoBaby - You can reserve a tour directly with the Vatican and bypass the lines much cheaper, 29€ per person.
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-In...zi_Visite.html