Sign in with Facebook
Piazza Pupinia 2, Rome, 133, Italy
Check Rates and Availability
of people enjoy staying here
1 Opinions
Cafe
souvenirs
Coat-of-Arms of Alexander VII, Rome, May 2007
St Peters Basilica
Hi!
I just read that to avoid lines, it might be a good idea to visit the Vatican museums and Sistine Chappel at the Wednesday 10am Pope Mass because everyone is at the mass. Is that a good idea? If not, what is the best time to avoid the lines?
Thanks!
Hello,
Yes, during the mass is a good time. You can also go after lunch on any day to avoid the lines. Most people go in the mornings so the afternoon lines are small to none.
Donna
Thanks both of you. That's really good information, especialy since I will be there a short time and don't want to waste any time in lines if possible.
It is probably a good idea but......don't assume that everyone who would otherwise be visiting the museum will a) want to go to the Papal mass and b) that they will be able to. After all, you aren't intending to go! The vast majority of visitors to the Vatican Museums/Sistine will have no desire to attend a Papal mass (many of them will not be Catholics anyway).
In other words, do expect queues. Depending on what time of year you visit, they may not be much shorter than any other time/day, if at all.
In my experience queues for the Vatican museums are shorter towards the end of the afternoon (same applies to St Peter's), simply because everyone thinks they should get there early because of the queues! I walked straight into St Peter's at 4pm: at 10/11/12/1 etc the queue snaked all around the square (no Papal mass that day, granted).
I should think less people will be wanting entry at that time, however it is always busy. We went on a guided tour with a group and received immediate entry at 8:30 am. It is rare that things run smooth, we had to leave our hotel at 7am with the tour which meant rising before 6am.
Allow yourself a minimum of 2 hours in the museum, could stay 4 or more.
Good Luck
Mike
Thanks Mike and everyone for the good information.
St Peter's Square would have to be among those sites that I would consider to be a must see, and I would definitely take them there given opportunity. So many memories, dreams, fantasies and photographic opportunities...........all are missed when I am not in Rome.
We rented a car in Rome and drove to Lago Di Bracciano to see the Italian Air Force Museum. The price was free and the collection fantastic! The museum is right on the shoreline of the lake making it accessable to sea planes. Its about 30 miles north of Rome and be sure to tour the castle just up the shorline from the Museum.
The Hard Rock Cafe is a good place to go when you start to miss American food and just want to kickback and enjoy the tunes.
And do not forget to get the tee-shirt! Come as you are but remember to respect the Italian culture.
I always try to find a new restaurant when visiting Rome and this time, I couldn't resist a restaurant with my name, Santa Cristina.
What a delightful meal! We arrived exhausted from a very long day of sightseeing in cold and rainy weather (we must have walked 10 miles, holding up umbrellas 90 percent of the time), and were warmly welcomed to this charming hidden-away restaurant. Very friendly service here.
Two of us ate very well for a total of 45 euros. This included two delicious and inventive pastas, a plate of assorted cheeses, two desserts (hey, we're on vacation, we're allowed), a large bottle of water, half a carafe of wine, and the traditional bread and cover charge. They keep the bread warm in a basket with a lid.
Perhaps the best dish was pasta with minced zucchini and toasted zucchini flowers, a house specialty (see the photo, which doesn't do it justice, at all). So different and so delicious, with crunchy bits of roasted zucchini flowers sprinkled on top. The risotto with beets and gorgonzola was another winner.
But the poached whole pear in chocolate sauce had me swooning. (Photo of this, too.)
Highly recommended. Great value. I definitely plan to go back. Many other intriguing dishes to try. Although most of their website is in Italian, the menu page has English translations. That pear was pretty darn good!
Before I went to Italy, everyone kept saying that I must eat the gelato. I enjoy ice cream at home so I gave it a try. It really is just as amazing as they say. I tried purchasing something that claimed to be gelato in the frozen section of a grocery store back home, but it is nowhere near the quality in Italy. The reason this under things to do rather than restaurants, is that eating gelato really is something that must be done while in Italy. My favorite place to eat gelato in Rome was a place called Giolitti. I stumbled upon it by accident one day when I was looking for a bathroom. When I noticed that the majority of the customers were Italian I knew that I had to try their gelato. (If the locals keep going to a place, it must be good!) It was absolutely delicious and a small cone was only 2 euros. Trust me, the small cone was plenty big. Plus, you can also you that as an excuse to get a second cone later in the day: 'But I only had a small one earlier so it didn't count!' :o)
Directions:
Giolitti is located between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. If you're walking north on Via del Corso (it's the main shopping road) you'll see a sign on the left side of the road that points you towards Giolitti. Follow the sign to the left and you'll come across Giolitti within a couple of blocks. Just keep walking straight. Depending on the time of day, you'll also see people walking towards you with ice cream cones in their hands. If you're walking north on Via del Corso and see a sign telling you to turn right to go the the Trevi Fountain, you've gone too far. The left turn you make for Giolitti is about two blocks south of where you turn right for the Trevi. This place is not hard to find, but it's definitely worth looking for!
Sponsored Links
Similar to Hotel Myosotis
Near Hotel Myosotis
Cheapest in Rome
Great Hotels for Less
Q: First time in Rome "Hello everyone, I'll be in Rome for the weekend next week. Since it will be my first time there, I would like to know a good..."
A: "If you do please make it a small one. Way too many tour groups in Rome. Why not go through pages here on VT and plan your own trip, visiting what you want on your own..."
Sponsored Links
Latest Rome hotel reviews
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Check Rates and Availability (from our partners)
