If you're in Rome doing any sightseeing, this should be your second stop after the Colosseum. The paintings and sculptures here were amazing. Just know that you need to reserve ahead of time because they only allow a certain number of people in at a time. They have audio tours but we got a guided tour in English (I think only available during the first entrance time at 9am). Do yourself a favor and go there.

I was a bit disappointed by the Borghese Gallery, probably due to my own lack of knowlegde. I'm sure I was looking at some very famous scultures and paintings, but to my untrained eye it was mainly ordinary-looking scultpures and a load of old paintings. Nothing jumped out at me with a 'wow' factor, which I thought would have happened despite not knowing the details.

Downgraded from a neutral score because of the ritual to get in. Booked in advance, then you have to collect your tickets on the day more than 30 minutes before your 2 hour time slot, which means 2 visits here in one day (better ways to spend limited holiday time than collecting tickets).

On the 2 hour timeslots: 3 till 5 means you can arrive after 3pm (I thought you had to be there for 3), people are let inside in 30 minute intervals, and all out by 5pm. Once inside, I needed about 45 minutes to see everything. 360 people are admitted in each 2 hours slot, it would comfortably hold more than that so the cynic in me thinks they are creating a shortage to make it more well-known.

The Borghese Gallery is simply amazing. You have space (especially if you go round backwards - as everyone is let in together try turning away from the crowds) and the most stunning sculpture in Italy. The Bernini done when he was a child is incredible. The Vatican Museum is my next best museum but oh, the crowds. This is really special.

We actually would have liked longer and used the audio guide and guide book avidly. Even the 6 year old was riveted. I felt that we rushed the paintings and next time am going to book two separate visits so that we can start with the paintings the second time.

It is a bit of a trek off the main routes. Bus or taxi a good idea and be early. They let your booking go otherwise.

Just do not miss it. Pony ride in the gardens went down well afterwards too.

Tickets: The advanced ticket buying process is a pain in the rear, but I understand why they do it. When I was in the Galleria, I appreciated the fact that the museum limits how many people can enter and how long each person can stay. It was so much better than most of the other places we went, because we didn't have to deal with huge, noisy crowds.

Museum: The entire building seems to be decorated. It is as though each surface is covered in detailed ornamentation. I had seen many photos before visiting, but I could not fully fathom just how ornately decorated each wall, ceiling and floor truly is. You only visit two floors. There are a few key artworks on the second floor, but not that many. I suggest quickly passing through the second floor and saving most of your time for the Bernini sculptures, celing frescos, and Caravaggio paintings.

Art: Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! I just cannot stress this enough. The Bernini's are incredible and so much more magnificent in person. The Caravaggio paintings are more colorful in person. The ceiling frescos-well, let's just say that it is easy to understand why a couple of them are so important in the grand scheme of the art world. One of them directly quotes Michelangelo's color usage in a really obvious way. Just amazing.

Food/Drink/A Place to Sit: There is a moderately priced cafe. However, expect to pay extra and to wait a long time if you want a seat. You can stand and drink at the bar, like most places in Europe, but know that there really is no where to sit in the entire museum, except for the cafe and a bench or two in the hallway.

Gift Shop: Limited selection of items, many of which are lame or just not entirely relevant to the collection you just saw.

Tip: There is a Metro station closer to the Galleria Borghese, just outside the grounds, across the street. It is within maybe three or four blocks or 3/4 of a mile from the Galleria.