RomeInLimo questions

[rainbowhonu]

Our family of three is returning to the Mediterranean this summer and the minute I booked our cruise, I sent an email to Rome in Limo. Jany, who organizes everything, wrote back within a few hours to say hello, we remember you, and yes we can do what you are asking! We are going to be in the port of Naples, but want to see Pompeii AND Herculaneum, not just one or the other. Jany informed me that we can see BOTH and also visit Mt. Vesuvius in one day! There are no cruise ship excursions that offer both sites and to add a trip to Vesuvius seems impossible to do. But Rome in Limo can! You are picked up at the port, right outside on the dock, whisked away in your own private vehicle and treated to a professional, knowledgeable, and courteous driver, who you get to know very quickly. They become your best friends for the day (we had Lucca and Gian, who were both fabulous two years ago!) The driver knows EXACTLY where to park, where you should head to first, how you should proceed to get all the area in, and you simply return to a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. You can also leave any items in the car that you don't want to carry (jackets, extra water, whatever) only to return to them when you need them. I really can't say enough about our experience with them. We have certainly recommended them to others over the last two years. I see that others on this site say this service is somewhat expensive, but it compares favorably with the cruise ship excursion prices AND it is your own vehicle and driver. Plus we saw about 17 things in Rome in one day, where the ship's excursion saw more like 5, an impressive difference in what you can accomplish in your ONE day in port! Plus, the drivers knew so much about everything, we just enjoyed their company on the trip! There is nothing like someone who lives there showing you the special sites! You know, you get what you pay for!

[wantocruisemore]

I think most comments here are about using Rome-in-Limo and going to Pompei involve docking in Naples. You are correct- Pompei is way too far away from Rome to cover in a day tour.

 

 

It's too far for a reasonable cruise stop in Rome, but we're doing a day trip from our pre-cruise stay in Rome. We arranged everything with RIL. It will be a long 12 hour day but with the driver and guide, we should be fine.

 

Years ago I also did a day trip to Pompeii from Rome. Totally doable in a day. It's just most cruise stops for Rome are not long enough.

[Grandpaul]

What is the max number of people you would recommend for Rome in a Limo tour of Rome? We currently have a bus for 28 person and I'm wondering if thats just too many people.

When we were last in Italy this past fall we used a 15 passenger van that they had. Worked out well.

[CruiserBruce]

Our family of three is returning to the Mediterranean this summer and the minute I booked our cruise, I sent an email to Rome in Limo. Jany, who organizes everything, wrote back within a few hours to say hello, we remember you, and yes we can do what you are asking! We are going to be in the port of Naples, but want to see Pompeii AND Herculaneum, not just one or the other. Jany informed me that we can see BOTH and also visit Mt. Vesuvius in one day! There are no cruise ship excursions that offer both sites and to add a trip to Vesuvius seems impossible to do. But Rome in Limo can! The driver knows EXACTLY where to park, where you should head to first, how you should proceed to get all the area in, and you simply return to a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. You can also leave any items in the car that you don't want to carry (jackets, extra water, whatever) only to return to them when you need them. I really can't say enough about our experience with them. We have certainly recommended them to others over the last two years. I see that others on this site say this service is somewhat expensive, but it compares favorably with the cruise ship excursion prices AND it is your own vehicle and driver. Plus we saw about 17 things in Rome in one day, where the ship's excursion saw more like 5, an impressive difference in what you can accomplish in your ONE day in port! Plus, the drivers knew so much about everything, we just enjoyed their company on the trip! There is nothing like someone who lives there showing you the special sites! You know, you get what you pay for!

 

You just explained the total perfection of a private tour over a ship's excursion. The only thing you left out was the not having to deal with the stragglers, who, as required by some unwritten law, must always show up late at every opportunity, and deprive the rest of the group of the maximum time in the stops on a tour.

 

Glad you had a great time. It mirrors our extremely wonderful experience with R-i-L.

Edited April 27, 2011 by CruiserBruce

[Lighthouse Nut]

That is what Rome in Limo does best.. whatever the customer wants! And they do it WELL and perfectly! Wish I was going to Italy this summer... ahh, maybe next year! But if I go again-- I will also call Jany the second I book the trip-- Rome in Limo is the ONLY way to see anything or go anywhere in Rome, esp. when you cruise and you have precious little time in any of the ports.

[RzCruzes]

I totally agree with all of you! I would not dream of any other tour than one with RIL! Once you have had the best, it is hard to settle for less. Never a crowded bus tour again, only personalized treatment and educated tours"!

Now if we can only get them to spread out into other regions in Europe!

;)

[lalique]

Have booked Romeinlimo for both Rome and 2 days in Florence. Still trying to decide on private guide for the 6 of us for Sorrento (1 day) and Amalfi/Positano (another day). Have read about 2 guides who get great reviews, but see that RIL also does these tours. Those of you who used RIL for these ports, do you recommend them for thse areas too?

[familycrusingviv]

My family and I just back from a Med cruise with a stop in Rome, well 1 hour and 10 minutes from Rome. As soon as we got off the ship we were welcomed by Mauro, who was awesome. It was like taking a tour with an uncle I did not know I had in Rome. He treated us like he has known us for ever. It was not an easy day for Mauro as we were traveling with our one year old daughter. He was understanding of when we needed a minute or was able to tone her out from screaming just like any parent would know. We saw as much of Rome as we could see. I really feel satisfied in saying I SAW ROME! We booked our tix for the Vatican and Coliseum ahead of time and he took us right to the door and make sure we were in the right place with never a wait. We would park and he would have the stroller backpack for the baby whatever we needed ready to go. I will use RIL again when we visit other place in Italy in the future.

Thanks RIL we will see you again! Till then I will recommend you guys to whom ever asks!

[CruiserBruce]

Have booked Romeinlimo for both Rome and 2 days in Florence. Still trying to decide on private guide for the 6 of us for Sorrento (1 day) and Amalfi/Positano (another day). Have read about 2 guides who get great reviews, but see that RIL also does these tours. Those of you who used RIL for these ports, do you recommend them for thse areas too?

Absolutely. R-i-L has this area covered very nicely. Carmine would be the driver we had, and would love to have him again.

[notentirelynormal]

Absolutely. R-i-L has this area covered very nicely. Carmine would be the driver we had, and would love to have him again.

 

We also had Carmine. He was fantastic. He got us to Pompeii before the tour buses then took us to a fantastic restaurant in Positano - Trattoria La Tagliata. He was very kind to my 83 YO mother. As we go down the stairs into the place, he takes her arm and escorts her down all the while complimenting her on how agile she is and "no, you can't possibly be THAT old". She is also very hard of hearing and he always made sure to talk loudly and clearly so that she didn't miss anything. Just another spectacular day in Italy thanks to R-I-L.

[smitnik]

I've used Rome In Limo for a full day tour in 2009 on a Mediteranean cruise stop for my family of five. They were great. In fact, I am going back June 2011 with a group of seven and we immediately decided to use them again. Here's what we found good about them:

 

1. Their Mercedes Van was clean and very comfortable. It is a relatively long ride to Rome from the port. About an hour, as I recall. The vehicle was large enough to accomodate a large group for that long ride.

 

2. We were picked up right outside of the ship.

 

3. The guide was great. He made the long ride into Rome educational and entertaining. He spoke very good english and was very friendly.

 

4. They did something that made our day very convenient; they had a cell phone for us. Since Rome can be quite congested, it is vary hard to find a parking spot. The guide would drop us off right at the site, point out a meeting spot, and then tell us to call him when we were ready to be picked up. He would drive his van rght to that spot and we would hop in the van and drive to the next site.

 

Rome In Limo is a great way to see Rome - especially when you're on a tight schedule on a crusie ship stop. I highly recommend them. At first the cost may scare you off - especially at today's exchange rate. However, I found it worth every penny. Rome is an incredible city and this tour service will allow you to experience as much as possible in a short time.

 

Last point: My daughter left her $300 camera in the van. She did not know where she lost it. The folks at Rome In Limo sent it to our US home free of charge! How is that for honesty and good customer service!

[sgk2000]

We are going to Europe on the Liberty in October. How soon do you have to book with romeinlimo? We have 4 people in our group and would like to find 4 more for private tour, to make it more economical. We have posted on our meet and mingle but so far have gotten no response. We will probably do the tour with just 4, if we have too. Just wondering how soon we need to book to be assured of getting a tour. We have also looked at share a shore excursion in Italy, same prices as romeinlimom but not sure if that would work out. We get into port at 7:00, some of the others don.t get in until 8:00, so we would have to wait for them to come ashore.

[sgk2000]

We are going to Europe on the Liberty in October. How soon do you have to book with romeinlimo? We have 4 people in our group and would like to find 4 more for private tour, to make it more economical. We have posted on our meet and mingle but so far have gotten no response. We will probably do the tour with just 4, if we have too. Just wondering how soon we need to book to be assured of getting a tour. We have also looked at share a shore excursion in Italy, same prices as romeinlimom but not sure if that would work out. We get into port at 7:00, some of the others don.t get in until 8:00, so we would have to wait for them to come ashore.

[luvtocook]

Have booked Romeinlimo for both Rome and 2 days in Florence. Still trying to decide on private guide for the 6 of us for Sorrento (1 day) and Amalfi/Positano (another day). Have read about 2 guides who get great reviews, but see that RIL also does these tours. Those of you who used RIL for these ports, do you recommend them for thse areas too?

 

ABSOLUTELY! We used them in Naples to go to Pompeii, Amalfi & Positano and ended yp with a fabulous lunch in Sorrento & time to shop. Rafaello was fantastic!!!! We also used them for Rome and an all day tour of Southern Tuscany, EXCELLENT.

[elsplace2]

We are going to Europe on the Liberty in October. How soon do you have to book with romeinlimo? We have 4 people in our group and would like to find 4 more for private tour, to make it more economical. We have posted on our meet and mingle but so far have gotten no response. We will probably do the tour with just 4, if we have too. Just wondering how soon we need to book to be assured of getting a tour. We have also looked at share a shore excursion in Italy, same prices as romeinlimom but not sure if that would work out. We get into port at 7:00, some of the others don.t get in until 8:00, so we would have to wait for them to come ashore.

 

I'm not sure how soon you have to book, you may want to contact Jany and check with her how soon but she may hold a van reservation for you, then finalize things when you get your 6 or 8. But I just wanted to let you know that on our upcoming cruise...we are going with RIL too and it wasn't until a month or 2 ago, that our roll call started hopping with people trying to get tours going....we had our tour planned a while back, but we had a couple of people drop out and fortunately were able to replace each time. So personally I would stick with Rome In Limo, but it may not be until you get closer where you will start getting more interest.

[Gracie115]

Just contact Jany to ask about taking a longer tour! She is great to work with and can help you plan out a longer day, or even make suggestions if you want to add stuff on your own.

 

We booked with RIL for our transfer from our Rome apartment to the port for embarkation. We had it originally as a straight transfer. After a little research I decided to check into the possibility of an added detour to Lake Bracciano for the castle there. Jany arranged everything. Recommended times so we would get to the port by our target time, gave me contact info for castle to make entry reservations and only increased the price by a small amount.

 

They will do as long or as short a tour as you want. Personally, I don't want to waste any of my time in Italy.

 

 

Thanks so much for this suggestion. We have this tour booked now so we won't waste a day just travelling from Rome to the ship. I'm very excited about seeing this entire area especially the castle. I would much rather make the most of every moment we have in Italy than try to get on the ship at Noon and wait around for sailaway...there isn't any food on the buffet worth missing a tour like this. Thanks again!

[CruiserBruce]

You are 5 months out. I think that is an appropriate time to book. If an issue comes up as to the size of the group, I am sure Jany will adjust for you.

[sgk2000]

I will contact Jany. Thanks for the advice.

[wantocruisemore]

Thanks so much for this suggestion. We have this tour booked now so we won't waste a day just travelling from Rome to the ship. I'm very excited about seeing this entire area especially the castle. I would much rather make the most of every moment we have in Italy than try to get on the ship at Noon and wait around for sailaway...there isn't any food on the buffet worth missing a tour like this. Thanks again!

 

Glad it's working out. I agree, I'l be 7 nights on the ship. I don't know when I will be back in Rome again!

 

Plus I won some points in my MIL's eyes for helping to arrange for her to tour a "castle".

 

Jany and RIL really is living up to our expectations. We're really looking forward to an enjoyable time there.

[samavarcruiser]

Thanks so much for this suggestion. We have this tour booked now so we won't waste a day just travelling from Rome to the ship. I'm very excited about seeing this entire area especially the castle. I would much rather make the most of every moment we have in Italy than try to get on the ship at Noon and wait around for sailaway...there isn't any food on the buffet worth missing a tour like this. Thanks again!

 

Castel Odescalchi Castle Odescalchi tells its six centuries of history through old weapons, fittings and paintings, books and manuscripts, decorations and frescos. After popes and kings, weddings and sieges, the prince Baldassarre Odescalchi and the architect Raffaello Ojetti began a long campaign of restorations at the turn of the century in 1900 giving the old stones their beauty back, the halls their splendour, the gardens their quiet and elegance. Open to the public since 1952 by the will of Livio IV Odescalchi, today the Castle in Bracciano is a dynamic reality which conciliates its own museum vocation with the organization of events which are necessary to improve the value and create a virtuous circle that permits to carry on a wise and steady work of preservation and restoration. The painstaking administration of the princess Maria Pace Odescalchi assures a wise preservation and a full usability without interruptions which allows welcomes visitors who are motivated by the curiosity of the tourist and also by the interest of the scholar and researcher.

[soccer71]

Did the driver enter the Vatican with you and become your tour guide?

Or is hiring a tourguide extra

[Gracie115]

Castel Odescalchi Castle Odescalchi tells its six centuries of history through old weapons, fittings and paintings, books and manuscripts, decorations and frescos. After popes and kings, weddings and sieges, the prince Baldassarre Odescalchi and the architect Raffaello Ojetti began a long campaign of restorations at the turn of the century in 1900 giving the old stones their beauty back, the halls their splendour, the gardens their quiet and elegance. Open to the public since 1952 by the will of Livio IV Odescalchi, today the Castle in Bracciano is a dynamic reality which conciliates its own museum vocation with the organization of events which are necessary to improve the value and create a virtuous circle that permits to carry on a wise and steady work of preservation and restoration. The painstaking administration of the princess Maria Pace Odescalchi assures a wise preservation and a full usability without interruptions which allows welcomes visitors who are motivated by the curiosity of the tourist and also by the interest of the scholar and researcher.

 

 

Wow! Thanks for this...certainly explains to DH why I want to see this so much....he will be even more excited!

[CruiserBruce]

Did the driver enter the Vatican with you and become your tour guide?

Or is hiring a tourguide extra

No, that is not allowed by law in most European countries. A Driver is a driver, but does provide a ton of info. However, the Driver essentially doesn't leave the car, If you read this long, but extremely informative thread, you will see recommendations for drivers and guides, and comments on reserving the Guides.

Edited May 5, 2011 by CruiserBruce

[hylasgirl]

Did the driver enter the Vatican with you and become your tour guide?

Or is hiring a tourguide extra

 

 

Like others have said, this is not allowed. BUT... I highly suggest getting a guide. For a few hours it's not that expensive and it sure made our visit SOOO much better than our first year of doing it alone. It's doable, but it's impossible to know what you are looking at. The thing inside the Vatican museum is not just all the different pieces of art you will encounter, but the history around it all is what is amazing to me. It is just incredible to have someone tell you what you are looking at from a historical standpoint. I believe (from what I remember) all guides of this type have to have schooling in Art History. I ended up putting together a private guided tour of the Vatican museum for 12 people by the time the cruise came. It was such a great time and so worth it.

 

Since this is a Romeinlimo thread I'll assume you are talking about this company... they can arrange a guide for you and it works very well in the timing of your visit.

Edited May 7, 2011 by hylasgirl

[kehlx2]

Did the driver enter the Vatican with you and become your tour guide?

Or is hiring a tourguide extra

 

A tour guide is extra & I agree with CruiserBruce. Just know that your guide is full of all sorts of information, hire the guide it is much easier!. We had a wonderful guide (& driver).