Rome tours

[NCteacherlovescruising]

I'm trying to figure out what we would want a private tour guide for and where it's not necessary (to save some money).  

 

Below is a private tour we're looking at:

 

The cost of the tour (Ancient Rome with Palatine and Vatican +breakfast) is

I've included the Colosseum and Vatican tickets 

580€

(so It's a all-included price)

 

 

We're also looking at hiring her for the Colosseum, forum, and Palatine Hill.  Her rates are 180 Euros for a half day tour.  

 

Alone we would do the Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, shopping and wondering around.

 

Her qualifications:

 

She is an archaeologist and qualified guide of Rome. Born and raised in Rome (a real local!)I’ve dug for a long period as a archaeologist in the Roman Forum, my second house. I attended the Specialisation School in Archaeological Heritage, an Italian post-degree diploma, and in the meanwhile I started studying to fulfill my dream, becoming an professional tourist guide with a regular certification. . . basically to do what I love (walking around Rome) as a job!

My second love is photography, you can see my shots on my Flickr account.

MY QUALIFICATIONS

I’ve passed the examination, published by the Provincia di Roma (Roman Provincial Administration). I’m a qualified tourist guide of Rome and a Museum Educator at the Vatican.

So I’m 100% certified guide, and this is my full-time job.

 

We will have 3 days.  Is this too much?  Am I missing something we could get in those three days?  We are now staying 4 nights, but I want to do a day trip to Florence on one of them.  Stay overnight on the 22-25 and fly home from Rome on the 26.

[cruisemom42]

31 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

I'm trying to figure out what we would want a private tour guide for and where it's not necessary (to save some money).  

 

Below is a private tour we're looking at:

 

The cost of the tour (Ancient Rome with Palatine and Vatican +breakfast) is

I've included the Colosseum and Vatican tickets 

580€

(so It's a all-included price)

 

 

We're also looking at hiring her for the Colosseum, forum, and Palatine Hill.  Her rates are 180 Euros for a half day tour.  

 

Alone we would do the Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, shopping and wondering around.

 

 

 

I am not sure I understand from your list what is covered on which tour. From what I've highlighted, it would seem that "Ancient Rome with Palatine" (first highlighted item) might be duplicated by the additional items you list (second highlight).

 

If I'm reading it wrong, please clarify.

 

 

[NCteacherlovescruising]

37 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I am not sure I understand from your list what is covered on which tour. From what I've highlighted, it would seem that "Ancient Rome with Palatine" (first highlighted item) might be duplicated by the additional items you list (second highlight).

 

If I'm reading it wrong, please clarify.

 

 

You're correct. Dh said the steaks were almost ready so I hurried and worded that terribly!  Should I book that package she listed for 580 Euros or book this https://www.romewithmarisa.com/tour-item/ancient-rome-extensive-tour/ whichs includes the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the forum for 240 or just the basic tour for 180, which is just the Colosseum and forum for 180 https://www.romewithmarisa.com/tour-item/ancient-rome-basic-tour/.  Do we need a guide for all these places?  Is it worth the extra money to have a private guide?  I heard she's really good!  I didn't know if we even needed a private guide for the Vatican.  But when I handed dh my "ideal itinerary" for next July, "Are you kidding me?  Twenty-five days??  How much is this going to cost?"  sigh  Obviously I can't give him an accurate total because many of the hotels aren't showing prices that far out.  I want to schedule our pups for the kennel/day care asap since we will be gone over a holiday weekend and the place they go books up quickly!  It's also an extra expense he brought up.  I'm trying to provide him as much of a bottom line as possible.  What would your guess be for a superior double at  Albergo del Senato for 4 nights next July?

[marazul]

1 hour ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

You're correct. Dh said the steaks were almost ready so I hurried and worded that terribly!  Should I book that package she listed for 580 Euros or book this https://www.romewithmarisa.com/tour-item/ancient-rome-extensive-tour/ whichs includes the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the forum for 240 or just the basic tour for 180, which is just the Colosseum and forum for 180 https://www.romewithmarisa.com/tour-item/ancient-rome-basic-tour/.  Do we need a guide for all these places?  Is it worth the extra money to have a private guide?  I heard she's really good!  I didn't know if we even needed a private guide for the Vatican. 

Please, stop!

Do not book a tour for the Vatican or the Colosseum one year ahead of time. Especially with a single operator who may or may not be in business in a year.  

 

For the Vatican, book the early admission tour directly with the Vatican Museums.  They have been in business for 2000 years. They will be there next year. You will be guaranteed an exceptional official guide trained and vetted by them.  Reservations open 3-6 months ahead of time. Start checking in January.  There is plenty of availability. The website is:

https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home

The best tours are: 

Prime Experience - Vip - Vatican Museums - for your own arranged group of up to 10. About €400-450 for the group

Prime Experience - Vatican Museums - you will be put in a group of up to 25. About €70/pp

Description: A proposal intended for visitors interested in enjoying the unique experience, entering into the Vatican Museums one hour before the official opening time. The guided tour is conducted by an authorized educational Guide. Having finished the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious American Breakfast - at a table- in the magnificent setting of the Vatican Museums. After the American Breakfast, it will be possible to visit (without the guide) the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Admission Ticket included.

 

There are also the Breakfast at the Museum (plain and VIP) tours where you have breakfast first and get to do the same tour a little later.  More people around, but not bad. A little less money.

Also, the Extra Time Sistine Chapel (plain and VIP) tours which are the same as the Prime Experience tours above, but later in the afternoon and end up with Happy Hour instead of breakfast.  Same prices as the Prime.

 

If you check the website now, go to a few months ahead to see the descriptions because they don't show the sold out tours in more recent days.

 

For the Colosseum and Forum wait until Jan-Mar to book a tour with one of the reputable operators, maybe even the one you mentioned.  I say this because it is extremely difficult to get the tickets on the official website (coopculture.com).  The tour operator bots scoop up all the tickets leaving none for the public.  

 

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Do we need a guide for all these places?  Is it worth the extra money to have a private guide? I didn't know if we even needed a private guide for the Vatican. 

 

I am not the best person to answer these queries, having quite a base of knowledge, even when I first started visiting Rome. I would say most people find having a guide for the Vatican to be one of the MOST beneficial places. The museum is huge and crowded; without knowing precisely what you want to see, a guide is handy to make sure you see most of the acknowledged "treasures" of the museum.

 

The Colosseum is the place I think a guide is the least needed -- the function of it is well known and there are many good books and online documentaries if you want to learn about it before you go. But unfortunately it is difficult now to get individual tickets to the site without going through some sort of private guide -- they are all purchased the minute they are released and you have to be extremely diligent to get the ones you might want.

 

The Forum and Palatine hill often don't make much sense to people who don't know its history. You'll get more out of it with a guide, but the question should be, how interested are you really in the details?  Pompeii is a lot easier to understand because it was all destroyed at the same time. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill were built and rebuilt through hundreds of years of Roman history. 

 

You shouldn't need a guide for the other places, although like anything, having a little knowledge or information about what you're seeing always increases the understanding of its significance, beauty, etc.

 

 

1 hour ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

But when I handed dh my "ideal itinerary" for next July, "Are you kidding me?  Twenty-five days??  How much is this going to cost?" 

 

I am trying to find a constructive way to say this. Many of us have spent considerable time and effort helping you with planning, ideas, schedules, suggestions for hotels, transportation etc. But you are virtually spamming these boards with queries. I think you've started at least 15 threads since the start of the month. People can't keep up because you're scattering your info amongst all of them. And constantly changing your plans.

 

Also you say things like the above quote that make me (and perhaps others) feel like you're not yet really clear about what you're planning and even whether you have the time, budget, and buy-in from your DH. Yet you are asking people to spend extensive time answering your questions. Only to come back a few days later with a different plan.

 

Perhaps it would be good to take a step back, present your plan to your DH, get his agreement and so on. You have plenty to go on if you just do some reading and research on your own. Reach out to private guides and hotels to get costs, make decisions jointly about what places, sites, and experiences are most important to both of you.

 

Then come back and create one thread with any remaining queries or requests. We're a relatively small group who respond to these questions. We'll see any additional posts you make and reply to them. You don't have to start a new thread with every thought.

 

We want to be helpful in filling in the details, but people don't want to feel like their time is being wasted. 

[NCteacherlovescruising]

11 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I am not the best person to answer these queries, having quite a base of knowledge, even when I first started visiting Rome. I would say most people find having a guide for the Vatican to be one of the MOST beneficial places. The museum is huge and crowded; without knowing precisely what you want to see, a guide is handy to make sure you see most of the acknowledged "treasures" of the museum.

 

The Colosseum is the place I think a guide is the least needed -- the function of it is well known and there are many good books and online documentaries if you want to learn about it before you go. But unfortunately it is difficult now to get individual tickets to the site without going through some sort of private guide -- they are all purchased the minute they are released and you have to be extremely diligent to get the ones you might want.

 

The Forum and Palatine hill often don't make much sense to people who don't know its history. You'll get more out of it with a guide, but the question should be, how interested are you really in the details?  Pompeii is a lot easier to understand because it was all destroyed at the same time. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill were built and rebuilt through hundreds of years of Roman history. 

 

You shouldn't need a guide for the other places, although like anything, having a little knowledge or information about what you're seeing always increases the understanding of its significance, beauty, etc.

 

 

Thank you!  This response is very helpful. 

 

11 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I am trying to find a constructive way to say this. Many of us have spent considerable time and effort helping you with planning, ideas, schedules, suggestions for hotels, transportation etc. But you are virtually spamming these boards with queries. I think you've started at least 15 threads since the start of the month. People can't keep up because you're scattering your info amongst all of them. And constantly changing your plans.

 

I’m sorry. I didn’t realize my questions were time consuming to answer. You all have been very helpful. My plans have changed several times. Some of those changes have been because of suggestions that were made here. For instance, I didn’t have time to see Tuscany and Rome between cruises so I switched it so that we’re doing Rome at the end. I wasn’t planning on spending the night in Venice, but after hearing reasons why, I decided it was worth it and now we’re staying 2 nights. Other times plans changed because I listed OUR priorities and made adjustments accordingly. I also have other people to consider in my decisions as we’re traveling with friends on the first cruise so lots of people to take into consideration. Then there’s my dear husband. I want him to enjoy this as much as I do, even though it’s my dream vacation, not necessarily his. So as I run things by him, if he doesn’t seem thrilled I adjust. 
 

11 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Also you say things like the above quote that make me (and perhaps others) feel like you're not yet really clear about what you're planning and even whether you have the time, budget, and buy-in from your DH. Yet you are asking people to spend extensive time answering your questions. Only to come back a few days later with a different plan.

 

I don’t know what happened to the quote, but I know you’re referring to the comment my dh made. I shouldn’t have even included that since none of you know my husband. He says things like that, but I’m the end he generally does whatever I want. I had told him I thought 3 weeks would be sufficient, but I was mistaken so he was a bit surprised. So yes, we have the time (I’m off all summer and he gets 29 days of PTO, he’s just never had to use so many at one time before), money, and his buy-in. Once I finished making an estimate for each day of the trip and shared it with him, I knew he would. ❤️

 

Again, I’m sorry I have wasted your time and others. I hope you realize your efforts weren’t in vain as we have agreed on the itinerary I posted, which gives me all the places I most wanted to see, as well as what he wants to do and where he wants to stay. 
 

11 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Perhaps it would be good to take a step back, present your plan to your DH, get his agreement and so on. You have plenty to go on if you just do some reading and research on your own. Reach out to private guides and hotels to get costs, make decisions jointly about what places, sites, and experiences are most important to both of you.

 

 

As I mentioned yesterday, I was planning on taking a step away from planning our vacation because I have to start planning for the next school year tomorrow. I wanted everything planned out as much as possible before then so I could focus on my job. I don’t think many people realize that while teachers aren’t paid over the summer, most of us still have a lot of work to do. I have a new subject to teach next year, one I’ve never taught before, so I’ll be starting from scratch. That takes a lot of time. I also schedule my annual doctor appointments over the summer and I have a surgery later this month. My days of having time to sit at a computer for hours on end are over. 

I have reached out to private tour companies and hotels. The quick responses from Hotel Rialto have impressed me, which I believe I’ve mentioned as well. We have made decisions jointly. I dig around and present options to him. I cut and paste things you all have recommended here and dig through them to see what appeals most. I know I’ve mentioned more than once that he will chose our hotel in Venice and that he’s the one that wants the Pantheon view in Rome.  I would have loved the extra space in the junior suite Hotel Smeraldo but it’s not all about me. I would love to get to the Amalfi Coast as soon as possible, but he would like to see Pompeii so I added it. 
 

11 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Then come back and create one thread with any remaining queries or requests. We're a relatively small group who respond to these questions. We'll see any additional posts you make and reply to them. You don't have to start a new thread with every thought.

 

We want to be helpful in filling in the details, but people don't want to feel like their time is being wasted. 

Again, I’m sorry you feel like I have wasted your time. I greatly appreciate all the help you, and others, have provided. I finally feel like I can relax and that everything will fall into place as bookings begin to open and we can make this dream vacation a reality. 

[RTR 21-0]

We booked a private guide for tours of the Colosseum, Vatican, St. Peter’s, etc., and it was the best decision we made for the entire trip.  He purchased all of our entry tickets including skip the line prior to arrival.  After seeing the miles and miles long lines at both the Colosseum and Vatican we knew he was worth every  Euro.  Watching all of the people in group tours trying to follow their leader while listening through the headset and pay attention to their surrounds made us appreciate having our guide to ourselves.  Learned so much on those tours.  

[Pookie2u]

@NCteacherlovescruising I'd recommend reaching out to a good Travel Agent.  They are the experts in what you are looking for and can make suggestions that will appeal to everyone who is traveling's tastes.  Then once you have the the framework of the vacation, read the many wonderful tales of travel and recommendation on Cruise Critic and other travel sites.  There will be questions but give yourself a bit of reading time, travel vicariously through other's posts for a few days.

Also, don't do it all this trip, find things to return to and go again!  

 

You are going to have the best trip!  And then another!  And another....  🚢🚢🚢

[CynBeth6]

Just to give a heads up I have heard on different message boards about issues with tours that include the Colosseum being cancelled last minute as they could not get tickets and were out of luck. Now they offer a day of ticket. We are in Rome now and did everything on our own no tour and have been very happy. There are no tickets to St. Peter’s can just go in just have to get through security and battle the crowds but for the dome climb have to get tickets which are only available the day of there is a clearly marked line. We had bought Vatican Museum tickets online. It is available 60 days in advance but sometimes the special ones like with lunch or a tour are available after that. It is a 15 minute walk around the wall. For the Colosseum you have to go online at 30 days at the time you want. For example if you need 9 am you go on 9 am Rome time which is 3 am US east coast time. My DH and I had 2 devices and kept refreshing for an hour before tickets became available which were for that and Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, It is easier to get the regular ones or with audio than the arena floor or full access. If you can’t get them then there is another chance at 7 days beforehand and if still no luck as mentioned before the day of ticket office but go early the line seemed to be long every time we passed by,