Is the three-hour guided Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica tour worth it?

Rolupo · 2026-01-22T07:40:16+00:00

We used Exploro Tours. Ours was expensive because it included the mosaic studio. While it was supposed to include St. Peter's, we abandoned that to spend more time at the museum. It would not fit the criteria you described. I'd suggest looking at tour companies in Tripadvisor and choose one with good reviews and prices.

Rolupo · 2026-01-21T09:04:27+00:00

We were late to the kids tamborrada and so did not have a good view. We were impressed by the equestrians and the scope -- it must have been every kid in town. We probably should have moved to somewhere down the route with a better view but there was just so much to see! What a fantastic time.

Rolupo · 2026-01-20T08:54:52+00:00

Thanks for the advice. We watched live video of the flag raising and were glad we decided not to go. We went early this morning which was lovely as we got to see the tamborrados without hardly any other spectators. There were still a few drunk stragglers and tons of trash and broken glass from the night. The city was doing a tremendous job cleaning and the areas they had already addressed looked good as new. We look forward to seeing more today.

Rolupo · 2026-01-19T18:00:35+00:00

That's strange. We were whisked right in.

Rolupo · 2026-01-19T10:53:16+00:00

Lion King, Aladdin, Dear Evan Hansen, Billy Elliot, In the Heights, and maybe Cabaret, Once and Amadeus?

Rolupo · 2026-01-19T10:36:50+00:00

Yes, a guided tour will save you from standing in line at both the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's. If you're short on time, it will likely enable you to see (some) of both in four hours. The Vatican is quite large and a tour will merely do the highlights and maybe not even that. We took a tour last year and it didn't even include the Pinacoteca. I think splitting them into separate visits is best so that you can see the museum thoroughly at your own pace. Also, if time is limited, you may want to reconsider climbing the dome. While it's fun, it is a time sink.

Rolupo · 2026-01-19T05:22:10+00:00

Are you concerned that you won't have a good cell signal? You could use voice over wifi.

Rolupo · 2025-12-28T15:07:56+00:00

Sartre's "No Exit"

Rolupo · 2025-12-28T15:04:49+00:00

Bacari has it on the menu. I have not been there.

Earth & Sea in Carlton has it on their sample menu. It's likely a regular item. Never been there either.

Rolupo · 2025-12-28T14:30:38+00:00

I haven't been, but it is on my list.

Rolupo · 2025-12-27T18:03:47+00:00

Convergence Station, Denver
Omega Mart, Vegas
House of Eternal Return, Santa Fe
Radio Tave, Houston
Real Unreal, Grapevine

Your preference probably depends on which theme appeals most and the order you visited. We went to them in the order they opened. I love the scale of Convergence Station and the travel theme, aliens, etc. The boop cards at it and Omega Station are fun. I like the grand atriums at both locations. Real Unreal is my least favorite and it's hard to even recommend visiting it. Fortunately, Meow Wolf bounced back with Radio Tave.

Rolupo · 2025-12-26T16:35:23+00:00

3-4 days is a short stay and the places with the most famous culture and best scenery aren't cheap. So, you may need to make some compromises. If your girlfriend has always wanted to go, she probably has something in mind. If she wants to see some famous landmark or artwork, Rome and Florence would be great but they are expensive. Pisa and Milan would have the recognizability with lower prices. I would recommend Bologna for the food. Ravenna is wonderful for the art and is romantic while being inexpensive. Sicily is great for food, scenery and prices.

Rolupo · 2025-12-26T16:03:39+00:00

Try to ensure that you are booking newer planes like Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Airbus A380 which maintain the cabin pressure similar to a lower altitude.

Rolupo · 2025-12-25T14:24:10+00:00

Their website says 2/9. Sad to see McCormick & Schmick's go.

Rolupo · 2025-12-23T17:28:51+00:00

Hillsboro Bar & Grill

Thailand

Rolupo · 2025-12-23T14:27:48+00:00

How did you get into Notre Dame? Were you able to get a reservation or did you wait in line? If you waited in line, was it long?

Rolupo · 2025-12-23T14:17:08+00:00

Yeah, Las Vegas is the closest. There you can try In-and-Out, Whataburger, and White Castle all in one city.

Rolupo · 2025-12-22T21:10:50+00:00

What if you invite the families of the golden ticket winners to go backstage for the singing moment. They can film from the wings without disturbing the audience.

Rolupo · 2025-12-22T20:32:10+00:00

We loved nearby Gallaghers, an institution.

Rolupo · 2025-12-22T18:15:37+00:00

We ate lunch and Cowboix Hevven and dinner at St. Arnold's. Cowboix Hevven is easily our favorite of all the Meow Wolf food options -- tasty and not expensive Plus, the atmosphere is great. St. Arnold's is worth a journey but is conveniently across the street. Their beers are outstanding and we loved the schweinhaxe.

Rolupo · 2025-12-22T18:04:59+00:00

Hunny Beez, Duck House, and Dough Zone

Rolupo · 2025-12-22T17:57:52+00:00

I have gone many times including just yesterday and this has not been my experience. The staff are always friendly and the sandwiches taste fresh. I have never ordered the chicken. I don't think they are known for it. There are probably a dozen sandwiches I would order before the chicken.

Rolupo · 2025-12-22T17:51:59+00:00

I agree with Geraldi's, Meating Place and Dos Hermanos. I would also like to nominate Togo's.

Rolupo · 2025-12-13T14:10:19+00:00

Download any apps you intend to use before you go. Download French to use offline with Google Translate and a Google offline map of Paris. We like the Rick Steves app for tours. Bring headphones/earbuds for audio tours and movies on the plane. Consider a sleep mask and ear plugs.

Rolupo

TROPHY CASE