Rome Tour Guide Advice

[Stagger]

My wife and I are traveling to Rome this June and have about a day and a half to spend visiting all that needs to be seen in front of our cruise. (ha). We arrive fairly late on a Saturday and depart on Monday. We have run across a company called "Walks" and wondering if anyone has had any experiences with them?  

 

Then of course if you have any recommendations we are all ears.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Best,

Tom

[euro cruiser]

The most important advice I can offer is to first do your own research and decide what you want to see in Rome rather than let someone else tell you what you should see.  Travel shouldn't become the adult version of eating your vegetables, with others telling you what to do because they say it's important.  First decide what interests you, since you can only scratch the surface in one day, then tell any guides you consider what you want.

[cruisemom42]

As a logistical note, keep in mind that if the Vatican museums and Sistine chapel are on your list of "must-sees", they are closed on Sundays -- except for the last Sunday of the month when (at least pre-Covid) they are free to enter and absolutely MOBBED.

 

So you'd need to figure out a way to see them either Monday morning (preferable) or Saturday after your arrival, which may be too late?

[Gimpy McFarlan]

I have seen multiple recommendations for WalksInItaly.  We are currently considering taking some of  their tours in Rome, Venice and Florence.

[seapad]

On 2/26/2022 at 11:50 AM, Gimpy McFarlan said:

I have seen multiple recommendations for WalksInItaly.  We are currently considering taking some of  their tours in Rome, Venice and Florence.

They are also recommended in Rick Steve's guidebook. 

[Stagger]

Many thanks to all - we in touch with WalksInItaly (found in Rick Steves' book 🙂 ) and they seem like a good group and very responsive,

[vickykay]

We used Through Eternity tours a few years ago ( also a Rick Steves recommendation). The guides were great.  We did a Vatican tour - the guide was an art historian..  we also did a tour of the Roman Forum and the Coleseum with a very knowledgeable guide.  

[I object 2]

3 hours ago, vickykay said:

We used Through Eternity tours a few years ago ( also a Rick Steves recommendation). The guides were great.  We did a Vatican tour - the guide was an art historian..  we also did a tour of the Roman Forum and the Coleseum with a very knowledgeable guide.  

I recently contacted Through Eternity tours as we're planning for a 3 day pre-cruise stay in Rome in November.  They were quick to respond and emailed a short survey for us to complete so they have an idea of our specific interests.  We've spent a day in Rome during a previous cruise and are looking forward to more time in this fascinating city.  

[Stagger]

Many thanks - I hadn't heard of them, but will certainly look them up.

[samandlibby]

On 3/7/2022 at 2:33 PM, I object 2 said:

I recently contacted Through Eternity tours as we're planning for a 3 day pre-cruise stay in Rome in November.  They were quick to respond and emailed a short survey for us to complete so they have an idea of our specific interests.  We've spent a day in Rome during a previous cruise and are looking forward to more time in this fascinating city.  

We only have about 6 hours of "tourist" time in Rome on the day prior to embarkation.  Any suggestions on what to priortize in that time? It seems many of the tours break up the Coleseum/Forum vs the Vatican/Sistine Chapel.  

[euro cruiser]

What interests you most?

 

It's not realistic to cram both the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum into one six hour time frame, you really need to choose one or the other (or neither, if they don't interest you), then build on that.

[cruisemom42]

On 5/18/2022 at 8:41 AM, samandlibby said:

It seems many of the tours break up the Coleseum/Forum vs the Vatican/Sistine Chapel.  

 

You're correct -- they are grouped due to both geography and also historic period. The area around the Colosseum and Forum is rich in highlights from ancient Rome, including Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, the Domus Aurea, Imperial Forums, and more. 

 

The Vatican museums (including the Sistine) and St Peter's, while not originating in the Renaissance, are much more about the history of this later period when the current St. Peter's replaced the older one and when the Popes really began appreciating and consolidating their art collections, as well as sponsoring some of the most towering Renaissance and Baroque artistic talents to create the Sistine chapel as well as various more private rooms.

 

While guides have to know about virtually all periods and areas to receive a license in Italy, it is difficult on a tour to cover such diverse areas effectively, IMO as the entire context of their culture and lives changed so significantly between, let's say 200 BC to 1500 AD.

 

I always suggest visitors to Rome who are staying in the city should block out 3 days minimum: one day for the ancient sights, one day for the Vatican, and one day to walk around and experience all of Rome's outdoor areas, monuments (statues, fountains, etc.) and neighborhoods.

 

[samandlibby]

On 5/18/2022 at 2:21 PM, euro cruiser said:

What interests you most?

 

It's not realistic to cram both the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum into one six hour time frame, you really need to choose one or the other (or neither, if they don't interest you), then build on that.

Agreed....we have booked a tour of the Colosseum/Forum in the early afternoon that includes the catacombs.  We're considering a 2 hour early evening walking tour that goes to different areas--seems low key and a nice way to wind down.

 

[Stagger]

On 5/23/2022 at 7:40 AM, samandlibby said:

Agreed....we have booked a tour of the Colosseum/Forum in the early afternoon that includes the catacombs.  We're considering a 2 hour early evening walking tour that goes to different areas--seems low key and a nice way to wind down.

 

We are doing pretty much the same thing.  We booked an evening Aperitivo walk through the side streets of downtown that starts with a Spritz, a blend of sparkling prosecco, bittersweet liqueur, and tonic water served over ice.  Sounded like a great way to end the day.