Ask Andrew: How to get into Uzbekistan and skip queues for the Vatican Museums

15 May 2016 - 02:00 By ANDREW UNSWORTH

Our travel adviser tackles your destination dilemmas, visa puzzles and itinerary ideas UZBEKISTAN: HOW TO GET INCould you help regarding a visa for travel to Uzbekistan? I know a letter of invitation is required, which I can get by booking a group tour, but then what? Do I need to apply, in person, at the embassy in Ankara? There is no consulate in SA. - Leigh BasaAccording to Uzbekistan's Foreign Affairs website, foreigners from countries where there is no diplomatic representation can get visas on arrival at Tashkent International Airport.story_article_left1The inviting person in Uzbekistan must apply in advance to the ministry, get confirmation and forward this to you. You would then show this when buying your air ticket and going through passport control and get your visa on arrival.You will need your passport (valid for at least three months beyond your stay) with at least one blank page and the completed application form, two passport photos, the $60 (about R950) fee and the letter of invitation.Find a printable visa-application form at http://evisa.mfa.uz and more information at visituzbekistan.travel/usefulinfo.A useful number to take with you would be for SA's honorary consul in that country, Michael Timcke, 099-987-1185-8823.A VISIT WITH THE POPEI am visiting Rome and want to see the Vatican Museums. How much does it cost and is there any way to cut the queueing time? - Jamie Mathewsstory_article_right2The papal museums are one of the top tourist attractions of Rome, partly because the visit ends with the Sistine Chapel.The ticket to the museums and Sistine Chapel is €16, valid for the day of issue, but there are many companies offering tours and they will include the ticket.Some have permission to slip out of the back of the Sistine Chapel, down a staircase and straight into St Peter's Basilica entrance lobby. It saves time, but loses the grandeur of approaching from the square. See rometoolkit.com/tours.The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm. Tickets sell from 9am-4pm.Try to go very early or later in the day: the opening rush makes little difference to people holding pre-booked tickets as the crush inside makes progress very slow.Also, avoid taking a backpack that would need to be checked in and consider going at night. From May 6 to July 29 and from September 2 to October 28, the museums are open every Friday from 6pm to 11pm, with the last entry at 9.30pm.• Do you have a query for our travel expert? Send your question to travelmag@sundaytimes.co.za..

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