newbie2468

We are staying at the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Marina.

How did you like the Hilton? Thanks

I'm booking romeinlimo for some of my pre-cruise time in Rome, thanks to the many accolades here on CC. My questions:

1-They are suggesting an 8 hour tour with a driver, and a guide for the Vatican. Do we need a guide for other sites? Or is the driver usually knowledgeable enough to provide info?

2-Have you ever just gotten a guide at the Vatican rather than scheduled one in advance? If so, how did that work out? Did you still have to stand in line for tickets? Can you just visit the "church" on your own without tickets? (I obviously have lots more research to do! I visited Rome years ago, but I was on a tour and they took care of everything.)

3-Do you tip on top of the fee for the driver, or is it included?

 

4- Not a romeinlimo question, but has anyone ever done a day trip from Rome to Pompeii? Is that possible?

 

Thanks in advance for answers to my questions!

I have used RIL for that very itinerary ... twice.... they are FANTASTIC. I cannot recommend them enough. We never had to stand in line. We did pay extra for a guide at Pompeii because unless you are a history buff, it is just "rocks and ruins"...

At the Vatican, a guide is a MUST. We skipped all lines and all 3 times (yep) the information was incredible. Our guides were fun, we saw way more than other people.

As far as other things in Rome, we didn't need a personal guide. ALthough the drivers are not "guides" and can't be (because of laws).. they are a wealth of information. Your head will explode :)

I have used RIL 4 times now and am using them again this summer in Sorrento. While they aren't the cheapest, I have always gotten 5 star treatment. Some drivers have more personality than others ... that is a given.. but all in all they were great and bent over backwards to tailor make our day.

tipping: I always rounded up... example if the cost is 450.. I gave the driver 50..Maybe too much... maybe too little, but they were always very gracious in accepting... I am sure that they are compensated well as Jany and Duman are top notch people, but it is a long day, lots of talking and once you get to know them.. the tales they can tell...Again... they all have different personalities as well as we do...but in the 4 times I have gone, I have always had a wonderful experience... as well as my friends come home... saying "WOW at first we thought it too expensive and unnecessary, but after our tours...we wouldn't do it any other way."

Hope this helps... if you want more information, let me know...

Tory

I would agree with the previous posts. We had an excellent time with Rome in Limo. I have used them each time we come to Italy. Our drive through the Amalfi coast with the winding roads was perfect... We had lunch in a wine villa at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius, visited Positano and walked through the hidden gem of Villa Oplentis (an unearthed villa that has little or no people viewing it... you can actually touch the walls, walk through the abandoned rooms and really get up close and personal to what the wealthy lived like during Pompeii) SUPER...Check it out online.. Bottom line. Rome in LImo provided us with professional, informative and stellar service...

We've used Ekol travel three times and have had excellent guides.

We are going to Istanbul this summer and have used Ekol Travel once in Ephesus. I am looking at other options, did you really like them in Istanbul? Would you mind emailing me so that I can ask some more questions :) Thanks...

tory2468@gmail.com

It is my understanding then that this company will do private tours my way? We want to spend our first day at the Vatican and our second day touring the rest of Rome. Will they pick us up at our hotel? Since this may be our only trip to Rome we want to see as much as possible and are hoping two full days will be enough. With a knowledgable guide it may be possible. My biggest fear is we would get there and try to do things on our own and just end up wasting time trying to find our way around. RomeinLimo sounds like it is just what we need and I am willing to pay to relax and take it all in!!!

 

Do I email or contact them on line requesting a private tour? Thanks in advance for your replies:)

I have used RIL 2 times and will be using them again this summer. THEY ARE THE BEST. They will custom create anything you want. Their prices are reasonable for the personalized experience they provide. Jany will/can help you with all the fine details. She is outstanding. I have recommended their services to many of my friends and they have come back raving about how that was the best part of their trip.

My suggestion is to decide what is most important that you would like to see-- make a list (check online for things to do in the places you are thinking of going) THEN email Jany with all of your "want list"... she will customize everything to fit your needs.

I have found that the only way (and often the quickest) to go to maximize my time is to use an expert (RIL) to guide you. Their suggestions for everything from buying suntan lotion, finding an ATM, shopping, sightseeing and of course eating are invaluable.

We Had Vinny as our driver and quickly became our friend the first time... Wonderful... This last time we had Nicola -- my friend and I had a super time He even made a detour in our orginal plans because we had forgotten a place we just "wanted" to see so he got off the beaten path (and spent extra time with us) to show us a special little village we had read about...WHAT SERVICE>>>>

I am looking forward to this summer to be back in Italy and know that I will be in good hands as I experience new places with RIL.

Hope this helps..

Cruiserking,

WHat a wonderful accounting of your trip... Congratulations on your marriage !! We are going on the Noordam next June to Europe... Rome-Rome 10 days...We are going in three days early to Rome to experience Italy !... Any suggestions? We plan to go to Assisi one day and Pompeii one day and do Rome in 1 1/2 days... The touring company we are "thinking" of using has recommended doing the Vatican and Sistine Chapel on the way to the Port...I am a little concerned about this since I like to be onboard fairly early.. but.. do you think those two sites are doable in 4-5 hours and then get to the ship early afternoon? We have always sailed Princess so HAL is new to us... We are staying in a SY cabin..again new to us... Thanks for any information...

I am also going to check out the hotel where you stayed... the booking company recommended Hotel Baocco..

Thanks again

Tory

Hi there..I live in Vancouver and have worked at several of the hotels in the city..and have also worked on cruise ships before, so I've done more Alaska cruises than I care to admit..I'll gladly answer any questions about the city, cruising or what have you! :)

We are disembarking in Vancouver and spending the night... What would you recommend doing? We would not like it to be a "get off the ship and not get to the hotel until 8" tour... However, I have heard the going to Grouse Mt. and the suspension bridge is unbelievable... We are staying at the Sutton Place... Is going to Stanley Park in the early evening doable? It is my birthday and I would like to do something special.. what about dinner? Best place?

Thanks for all your advice

Tory

We are disembarking from the Sapphire Princess in July in Vancouver... Any suggestions on a spluge hotel for my birthday... the day we get there? What about things to do... we will have most of the day and leave in the morning on that Sunday?

Thanks for any info..

Tory