Italy planning questions

[kristilew]

Finally in the double digits for our Italy countdown

Question for those who have done the Viva Italia trip: We want to go to the Uffizi Gallery on our day in Florence, which I know some of you have done. Looks from the itinerary like we will be with the group through a lunch that may go into early afternoon. Is 3 pm a good time to book tickets for this? Enough margin to get there, and enough time to go through the museum? Any tips for doing this?

And random question - it doesn't appear anyone has done the ABD to Italy at Christmastime, but for anyone who has been in Rome over the holiday I'd love to ask your advice on special stuff to see during our on-your-own time. I believe there are living nativity scenes set up in some of the squares, and maybe a Christmas market?

 

[twentyco]

Based on our trip, I think that 3 p.m. for the Uffizi would be a bit early, if you want to do the Palazzo Vecchio tour. Our group was split into two groups for Palazzo Vecchio, and we were in the first group. We got done at about 3:45, and then had plenty of time to walk over to the Uffizi (it is very close by) and pick up our tickets for our 4 p.m. entry. This far in advance, you shouldn't have any trouble getting a 4 p.m. time. If you want to skip the Palazzo Vecchio tour, 3 p.m. or even earlier would likely be fine.

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. I was in Rome for Christmas when I was 11, which was 30+ years ago; we went to St. Peters to hear the Pope say Christmas Eve mass. We just walked in and sat down, and nobody stopped us. I have a feeling it doesn't work that way any more.

 

[jcb]

There are podcast discussions about doing Viva Italia over Christmas (in 2011). There were three podcasts and these segments can be downloaded: http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/Roundtable394-010312-italy.mp3
http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/Roundtable400-011012-italy.mp3
http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/Roundtable406-011712-italy3.mp3

They were in Florence, not Rome, on Christmas day though.

 

[kristilew]

Based on our trip, I think that 3 p.m. for the Uffizi would be a bit early, if you want to do the Palazzo Vecchio tour. Our group was split into two groups for Palazzo Vecchio, and we were in the first group. We got done at about 3:45, and then had plenty of time to walk over to the Uffizi (it is very close by) and pick up our tickets for our 4 p.m. entry. This far in advance, you shouldn't have any trouble getting a 4 p.m. time. If you want to skip the Palazzo Vecchio tour, 3 p.m. or even earlier would likely be fine. Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. I was in Rome for Christmas when I was 11, which was 30+ years ago; we went to St. Peters to hear the Pope say Christmas Eve mass. We just walked in and sat down, and nobody stopped us. I have a feeling it doesn't work that way any more.

Thank you! Yes, the 4pm slot is open. And we don't want to skip the Palazzo Vecchio. It looks like the Uffizi closes at 6:30. Do you think 2.5 hours is enough time there?

That must have been amazing to hear Christmas Eve mass in St Peters!

 

[kristilew]

There are podcast discussions about doing Viva Italia over Christmas (in 2011). There were three podcasts and these segments can be downloaded: http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/Roundtable394-010312-italy.mp3 http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/Roundtable400-011012-italy.mp3 http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/Roundtable406-011712-italy3.mp3 They were in Florence, not Rome, on Christmas day though.

Thanks! Missed those. We will be leaving Rome on the 24th, so similar timing.

 

[twentyco]

Thank you! Yes, the 4pm slot is open. And we don't want to skip the Palazzo Vecchio. It looks like the Uffizi closes at 6:30. Do you think 2.5 hours is enough time there?

That must have been amazing to hear Christmas Eve mass in St Peters!

We were done by about 6, so it was plenty of time for us. I think they expect people to stay about two hours.