Would you spend $500.00
Jun 18, 2019 16:53:41 #
I was in Italy for six weeks ( spent 13 months in Europe) and I paid nothing for the extra tours because they are mostly not worth it. And I want to be free to do what I want. I got up early and was there when the doors opened. While I took some good pictures, there was something to be said for the postcards I picked up. I can think of other things I could spend $500 on in Italy.
Jun 18, 2019 18:54:23 #
eagle80 wrote:
Looks like the Catholics are still money hungry.
What do you think the upkeep of all those buildings cost?? Payroll, insurance. You know jack $hit. Your prejudices are your only guiding light.
Jun 18, 2019 18:58:44 #
Keen wrote:
I wouldn't pay fifty cents for the whole thing. The Vatican holds no interest for me.
The Art, the statuary all the architecture. None of that is of interest? You are one stunted person.
Jun 18, 2019 19:00:10 #
Racurtin1 wrote:
USO has excellent, reasonable tours for those eligible.
I wonder how many service men and women are there vs all others?
Jun 18, 2019 19:21:34 #
gtilford
Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
So the short answer is no it is not worth it for the chance to possibly get a few photos. But if you forget the photo opportunity and you have a great guide and are into architecture as my brother is then the history of the buildings and area would be more then worth it to someone like him. I just think that seeing it as a photo op is the wrong way to look at this opportunity.
Jun 18, 2019 19:37:15 #
You don’t need to be Catholic or even believe in a Diety to be literally stunned by the majesty of Saint Peters - it is a remarkable edifice and an unforgettable experience. For me (and I took four years of Latin and Roman history), the Coliseum paled in comparison. I would forget the photos as a first priority (you can purchase those), and immerse myself in the experience.
Jun 18, 2019 19:39:36 #
The Vatican is a country unto itself and takes care of its buildings and pays the workers. Churches are taken care of by the Church. Other artifacts and buildings are taken care of by the Italian government. The money paid to the tour guide goes to the tour company. If the our company has 20 people paying $500-the tour company is raking in $$$$.
Is it worth seeing the beautiful artworks and churches? Of course. But one also needs to be careful-there is a scam on every corner and they do think Americans are rich. I watched a vendor try to sell a banana for the equivalent of $10.
Is it worth seeing the beautiful artworks and churches? Of course. But one also needs to be careful-there is a scam on every corner and they do think Americans are rich. I watched a vendor try to sell a banana for the equivalent of $10.
Jun 18, 2019 20:20:09 #
Jun 18, 2019 21:40:41 #
Nothing is worth $500 for a tour inside a building. I spend my money on full 3 week vacations.
Jun 18, 2019 21:47:40 #
nikonbug wrote:
.... my consideration is not so much about the money, but the time we have to be there. We would have to get up at 4:30 or so, try to find some coffee, and a cab to get there by 5:45 a.m. and then get on the tour.
.... my consideration is not so much about the money, but the time we have to be there. We would have to get up at 4:30 or so, try to find some coffee, and a cab to get there by 5:45 a.m. and then get on the tour.
Nikonbug - therein lies the real problem. I assume this tour would be the morning after you arrive (ie Oct 30.) Your 80 year old body will already have lost a decent night's sleep on the flight over and you will be getting up at 4:30 am when your body is telling you that it is time to go to bed. The museum involves a lot of walking and it is a long walk back out and around to St Peter's (unless you can use the 'secret' door from the Sistine Chapel). By 9:00 am you will be too exhausted to do anything but take a cab back to the ship and go to bed.
There are better and more rewarding ways for a photographer to spend a day in Rome.
Jun 18, 2019 22:04:36 #
We lived in Rome in the early 80’s ( I was in the USAF assigned to the American Embassy) and went through the Embassy a couple of times a year as a private citizen but there were no charges. The only expense was buying trinkets, guide books/maps from the Nun’s gift shop or the vendors outside. Not being rich, I doubt I’d spend that much for the tour but $125 I could see spending. We bought a cheap tour book and maps for our many trips through the Vatican which we still have. It’s all relative I guess, whether it’s important enough to you. Side note to anyone going—climbing the many stairs to the Whispering Gallery is well worth it. You can whisper something and the acoustics are so sharp and refined, anyone on the other side of the gallery can hear plainly what you whispered. Awesome but be careful what you say! The walls have ears!!
Jun 18, 2019 22:27:13 #
We were there in 1983. No charge for anything and I took lots of photos in the Sistine Chapel. Getting older is not all bad. It is great looking back to when things were much better than now!
Jun 18, 2019 23:24:59 #
Probably need that $10,000 to help payoff the pedophile/molestation lawsuits. Talk about a fall from grace.
Jun 19, 2019 00:07:10 #
hookedupin2005
Loc: Northwestern New Mexico
[quote=frankraney] That guide takes in $10,000 per tour. For that price it better be a very good your......
I will stick myself out on a limb, and bet the tour guide does not make anywhere near the 10K he rakes in from those private tours... Most of that money goes into the Vatican's coffers...
I will stick myself out on a limb, and bet the tour guide does not make anywhere near the 10K he rakes in from those private tours... Most of that money goes into the Vatican's coffers...
Jun 19, 2019 02:10:38 #
We went several years ago to the Vatican which was part of a three-week tour of Italy. The tour guide moved our small group to special entrances and we just moved ahead of thousands waiting in line. It was wonderful as we had experience the BAD way some years earlier. Not having to contend with the masses is wonderful and allows photography to be much more pleasurable. Frankly, the $500 fee is excess IMHO. How about $103.28 instead? You enter a full hour before general opening with max of 14 people. 3.5 hour tour. Check this out. https://theromanguy.com/tours/italy/vatican/sistine-chapel-vatican-tour. There are lots of alternative too. If I just saved you about $800, then buy yourself some more fun camera gear AND a nice gift for your other. 
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