Vatican Confusion!!
Nov 2nd, 2010, 10:57 AM
#1
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Vatican Confusion!!
Is it better to visit St Peters first, or the Vatican Museum? We plan to make a "day" of the two, so can easily split it up and do one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Also want to see Castel San Angelo. Was thinking of Vatican Museum/Sistene Chapel in the AM, then St Peters/Castel in the PM. is this a good plan or not?
Also, I see that the Pope makes an appearance on Wednesday mornings for a blessing (or something... sorry!) Is it a bad idea to go on Wednesday? I am going in two weeks, so ASSUME it will be far less crowded than the high season anyway (at least that is my hope!)
Lastly, are the guided tours offered by the Vatican any good? They are certainly cheaper than outside tourguides.
Thanks!
Also, I see that the Pope makes an appearance on Wednesday mornings for a blessing (or something... sorry!) Is it a bad idea to go on Wednesday? I am going in two weeks, so ASSUME it will be far less crowded than the high season anyway (at least that is my hope!)
Lastly, are the guided tours offered by the Vatican any good? They are certainly cheaper than outside tourguides.
Thanks!
Nov 2nd, 2010, 11:19 AM
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I don't think it really matters which one you do in the a.m. and which one in the p.m.
As for the Wed. appearance of the Pope: If you're not interested in seeing the Pope, that might be a good day to go IF you time your museum visit simultaneously with the Pope's appearance. Most people will tour the museum, etc., after seeing the Pope.
As for the Wed. appearance of the Pope: If you're not interested in seeing the Pope, that might be a good day to go IF you time your museum visit simultaneously with the Pope's appearance. Most people will tour the museum, etc., after seeing the Pope.
Nov 2nd, 2010, 11:54 AM
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There are about 15 Vatican Museums...exactly which one are you thinking on visiting???
Wednesdays are crowded; not every Wed the Pope makes an appearance, though.
The Vatican Museums tours are very good. They used the radio guide where no matter where you are in respect to yiur guide you can hear him/her. I have done it every way; independent, outside tour, and Vatican Guide and the Vatican Guide is, by far, the way to go.
Wednesdays are crowded; not every Wed the Pope makes an appearance, though.
The Vatican Museums tours are very good. They used the radio guide where no matter where you are in respect to yiur guide you can hear him/her. I have done it every way; independent, outside tour, and Vatican Guide and the Vatican Guide is, by far, the way to go.
Nov 2nd, 2010, 11:55 AM
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The distances involved in this can be substantial, abnd the Museums (there are several) involve trekking through a mile or so of corridors.
Ordering this properly can cut the walking a lot. If opening times allow, start with the Castel Sant Angelo, then the Museums (which culminate at the Sistine Chapel) then as you leave the chapel, take the right hand door in the antechapel (if your back's to the altar), which usually carries a sign saying "groups only". It's usually essential to prebook the museums to avoid queues, though a couple of years ago in a late-November Wednesday visit queues at the ticket desks were only two or three deep.
This takes you into the secure area, slightly SE of the colonnade at St Peter's east door. Walk in at your leisure.
The alternatives of walking between St Peter's and the museums twice (take the LH door in the Sistine bantechapel and you end up where you entered the Museum - a dull walk nearly a km from St Peter's) are very tedious
Ordering this properly can cut the walking a lot. If opening times allow, start with the Castel Sant Angelo, then the Museums (which culminate at the Sistine Chapel) then as you leave the chapel, take the right hand door in the antechapel (if your back's to the altar), which usually carries a sign saying "groups only". It's usually essential to prebook the museums to avoid queues, though a couple of years ago in a late-November Wednesday visit queues at the ticket desks were only two or three deep.
This takes you into the secure area, slightly SE of the colonnade at St Peter's east door. Walk in at your leisure.
The alternatives of walking between St Peter's and the museums twice (take the LH door in the Sistine bantechapel and you end up where you entered the Museum - a dull walk nearly a km from St Peter's) are very tedious
Nov 2nd, 2010, 05:21 PM
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"Vatican confusion!" - what the Pope said to Stephen Hawking.
I have been to both and I think we visited to Museum first and then the Bascilica. There was a long line to get into the museum and we were there in mid April. Both places are among the more impressive human made sites in Europe.
I have been to both and I think we visited to Museum first and then the Bascilica. There was a long line to get into the museum and we were there in mid April. Both places are among the more impressive human made sites in Europe.
Nov 2nd, 2010, 05:32 PM
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IMHO the tour groups go to the Vatican Museums in the am and they are less crowded in the afternoon. I would do St Peter's first (and do sign up for the Scavi tour if you can - and see the Treasury and the Dome) then have an quick early lunch and then head to the Vatican Museums. if you have time afterward do Castel SantAngelo - or save it for another day.
