Davensteph

Hi Juvesgirl

We didn't do the Bardo museum, although I understand there are some beautiful mosaics there. We did go to a high point in Carthage where there is an old convent which has been converted into a museum. Wonderful artifacts and mosaics there too.

One place our guide took us to which I have not seen mentioned elsewhere, was the Roman aqueduct and cistern, built to bring water to Carthage from the Atlas mountains.

All in all it would be difficult to pick one place as a favourite

Be aware than some more violence has flared up downtown. Mostly the problem is between the old guard who want to enforce sharia law and the modern (mostly young) who wish to retain the rights and freedoms of a secular society. A great shame that religion can destroy a beautiful people and culture.:(

I should add thathen we were there our guide took us to the cemetary (American) but it was closed, probably as a safety measure because of the recent demos.

WE just got back from a 34 day T/A from Ft Lauderdale to Dover. One of the stops was La Goulette (Tunis). We booked a private tour for 6 for a very reasonable cost which included Carthage, Sidi bou Said, and the medina in Tunis. In Tunis itself there was a small demonstration in the centre of town, and the army was fairly conspicuous. A fair amount of barbed wire around some monuments, but everyone looked very casual and laid back. We never felt anxious in any way, even walking in the area.

Our guide, Kemel, was a fount of information and gave us a good introduction to life in Tunis. Democracy, as we know it, is comparitavely recent in most of N. Africa, but religious freedom has always been a big part of normal life in Tunisia. Islam, Judaism and Christianity all seem to mingle very well. It is, after all, only the fanatics who claim that God only likes their way to worship him.

I would have no hesitation in returning to Tunisia, and hope to be able to explore more of this wonderful country in the future.

Just got back from a 34 day cruise on HAL Ryndam, and once again set up a tour to Pisa and Florence with RIL. I have been using them since 2006 and have recommended them to many friends. Never had a problem of any kind. Our guide this time was Elizabetta, who was, as expected, outstanding in every way, making suggestions as to what to see, and taking us to locations for superb photos. RIL is an excellent company and as long as I can continue to cruise, they will be my guides of choice. Many thanks to Jany for an easy booking process.

Having just found this site I thought I would add my two cents worth.:D

RIL is without doubt the best and easiest company I have ever dealt with. We have done many cruises which my DW usually organises, while I research and look after the excursion side. I would not think of using another company for Italy port tours, or even airport to hotel, or port to city transfers. I have recommended them to many friends and other travellers. Every one has always been very happy with them.

Dealing with Jany is always a pleasure. Earlier in this forum someone mentioned that she doesn't seem to sleep. We are heading off on a T/A from Tampa this weekend, and I had to contact RIL about our Florence/Pisa trip from Livorno. I sent a message off about 9.00pm (Atlantic Time) last night, which would be about 2.00 am Italy time. I had a reply back within 15 minutes. Amazing lady.

Anyway when I told DW about this site, she decided she had to post a review herself, so I will leave the rest of the review to her.

For anybody considering using this company, don't hesitate. You will never find a better tour company.

I have a question of someone who has recently returned from a tour of the Vatican Museum.

 

Did they actually require some ID for you to enter with your prepurchased ticket? Here's our problem: We prepurchased tickets, and part of the procedure was to give the names of those who would be entering. We have had a change in our group - one person replacing another. Can the new person just use the ticket the former person would have used?

 

(I guess this should be responded to by someone who fairly recently went, since there may be a change in procedure.)

 

Many thanks.

 

Kathy

Hi Kathy

Just returned from a T/A which included a 1 day stop in Rome. We used Romeinlimo for the fourth time (we had friends with us who had never been to Rome previously) and had the usual great trip. We had a group of eight, four of whom we recruited from CC Roll Call. Two days before arrival in Rome, two of them dropped out. WE found two others who had already purchased Vatican tickets but who were going to Rome independently (and rather nervously). We got them Vatican tickets online (using a very slow internet connection.)

On explaining the situation to our Romeinlimo supplied guide, Sarah, she said it was no problem, as we had ten tickets and only eight people.

Actually there was no ID check, and I don't think they could do it, because of the number of people entering at any one time. (20000 to 25000 people per day normally, and up to 35000 on a busy day):eek:

In brief, I think you will have no problem as long as the number of tickets matches (or exceeds) the number of people.

Have a wonderful time.:D

Dave