Visiting a new city?  
Book ahead! 

You've arrived in one of the world's most exciting cities and you're ready to start exploring. You don’t want to wait at the hotel while you try to book last minute tickets for popular attractions. Booking ahead is highly recommended, and in some cases essential, for the most important landmarks.

Here are tips from a few of the top spots some of our American Express® Card Members visited last year.

In Italy’s capital city, St. Peter's Basilica is always worth visiting for its glorious decoration and stunning interiors. Don't forget the art galleries and museums of the Villa Borghese. Set in quiet, peaceful parklands, these elegant buildings are often busy with foot traffic, especially in the summer, so making an advance reservation helps guarantee a tour.

Just a few hours away by Italy's efficient and affordable train system is Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance in Europe. The Uffizi Gallery houses one of the world's greatest art collections – and a lovely café on the top floor with a spacious terrace – but it also has some of the longest lines in the world, so try to book your tickets in advance.

There’s so much to see in the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay that you really don't want to waste any time waiting in line. Reserve your spot in advance and walk straight in.

Paris's reputation as a culinary capital can make getting coveted dinner reservations difficult, even for the French. Luckily many popular restaurants are now embracing online bookings.

Planning a trip to London? You'll find most attractions, such as the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London are pretty quick and easy to get into. Though if you want to see a particular exhibition at an art gallery or visit the Royal Academy, you may require a ticket to get in, and they aren’t typically available for last-minute purchases.

Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of HM The Queen, is especially popular, as it's only open during certain months. Exercise your own royal prerogative and reserve your place before you go.

If you want to bypass the big crowds in the Big Apple, it helps to plan ahead, especially when visiting popular attractions such as the Statue of Liberty. Tickets come in a variety of options, including the choice to visit just the island, while a Pedestal ticket gets you access to the museum and the Foot Wood level. A Crown ticket, as its name suggests, gets you to the top of the statue.

When it comes to seeing a show in New York, you can usually turn up on the same night, but without booking ahead, you may not get tickets to your first choice. If you want seats for a specific Broadway show, it's a good idea to buy tickets as soon as you've confirmed your trip. If you're a theater, movie, or music fan, then don't forget the American Express Entertainment program also offers advanced tickets, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive interview footage from some of the world’s most famous music, film, theater, and fashion events.

Booking ahead: add it to your vacation checklist, along with your passport, plane tickets, and cash!

If you're a Platinum Card^® Member from American Express, the complimentary Concierge service is available to you day or night to make the arrangements and reservations you need ahead of your trip.

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