u/dfertig29

My family of four will be visiting Vatican City for the first time in late May, and we’re planning to dedicate one full day to exploring it. From what I understand, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel) are the must-see highlights.

I attempted to purchase tickets for the Vatican Museums this morning but found they were completely sold out. It looks like my only option now is to go through a third-party provider. I wasn’t originally planning to book a guided tour, but the best option I’ve found is through GetYourGuide—a 2-hour guided tour for $55 per person (non-refundable). My main priority is securing skip-the-line access, even if we end up leaving the guided group early.

This tour doesn’t include entry to St. Peter’s Basilica, so my plan there is to purchase dome access tickets, which I believe will allow us to enter without waiting in the general line.

The museum tour starts at 1:30 PM, so my tentative plan is:

• Purchase Basilica dome access tickets for 10:00 AM
• Spend 1–2 hours exploring the Basilica and dome
• Have lunch nearby around 12:00 PM
• Meet the museum tour group at 1:15 PM

The total cost for the family comes out to about $325, and since everything is non-refundable, I’d love some feedback before booking.

For those who have visited, does this plan make sense? Is 1–2 hours enough time for the Basilica, or should I allow more? And are there good lunch options near the Vatican, or could that part of the plan be tricky? Any insights or potential issues I should be aware of would be really helpful.

I’ll have one full day in Florence with my wife and parents, and I’d like to make the most of it. I understand that the Florence Cathedral (Duomo) is a must-see, but since my father has a heart condition, I think it’s best to avoid the climb. We’ll definitely admire it from the outside instead.

I’m considering starting the day after breakfast with a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. What’s the best way to purchase tickets, and how much time should we plan to fully experience it?

In the afternoon, we’ll likely have time for one more major attraction, and I was thinking about the Uffizi Gallery. I’d appreciate the same advice—what’s the best way to get tickets, and how long should we plan to spend there?

I’m also open to any suggestions you might have if there are better options or alternatives to what I’ve outlined.