Mary Jane is headed to Rome for a week in February, and is looking for suggestions of musical events.

Gerald is going later in the spring and has questions, too. Most have been answered in his comments box already, but you might have some info to add.

Speaking of Rome, the new Vatican Museuem admission policies take effect this week. Here’s one article from a Rome tourism website with detailed information on how the changes might impact tourists and possible motives for the change.

They seem to be trying to make it so unpalatable that some people will be discouraged from going. I think they are trying to reduce the number of people going through without reducing their income, the guide continued.

But can the new arrangement really be a deliberate means to reduce the number of visitors coming through the museums doors? A museum spokesperson was wary of commenting.

So far in 2006 we have had 3.8 million visitors, so we expect to reach over 4 million by the end of the year, she said. We are in a period of growth, so we could expect another increase in 2007.

Despite the new system?

Its too early to say. We are just experimenting to see how we can best resolve the problems.

Although the cost of a ticket will go up by only 1 in 2007, from 12 to 13 (or to 15 if pre-booked), the museums are planning significant price hikes for the so-called special visits which take place in the afternoons when the museum is closed to the general public. These do not have to be booked by agencies but are booked directly with the museums.

Currently, a group of up to 30 people pays 1,800 (plus 12 for each ticket) to have the museums to itself. From January, this will go up to 2,500 plus 15 per ticket for a two-hour visit a 39 per cent increase. For groups of 400 people, the price almost triples from 7,000 to 20,000 plus 15 per ticket. Arguably, however, these are the people who can afford the sting mainly rich businesspeople on company-paid trips and conferences, although one guide reported the occasional couple celebrating a wedding anniversary who want to see the Sistine Chapel in peace.

What the Vatican is after is money, comments a registered tour guide who also wished to remain anonymous. Thats been clear for a long time. They arent subtle about it. They dont really understand how to treat people its just a question of herding people through. The Vatican Museums is my favourite place to take people on a tour in Rome, but you cant rush through it. I can easily spend four hours on a really good tour.