KayTKay

Yes, I'm still asking questions. Thank you for your patience with me this go round.

I have Minchelli's food app and read the wonderful trip report written here about the food tour with her. I contacted her and she would be happy to do a food tour with us and it sounds heavenly. The glitch? The price. I'm gasping a little.

So, my first question is if you can recommend anyone else for a food tour? I see that VinoRoma has one and they will even go on a Sunday which would fit perfectly in our itinerary. Has anyone used them? Any other suggestions? It doesn't have to be a private tour, but I would prefer a very small group.

Secondly - I am not a novice to tours in Rome. We have used Context and Walks in Italy. Both were excellent. I'd give the nod to Context just because of group size and not having to wear those dratted head phones. These tours were both over 4 hours with lots of standing and information. Enjoyable, but tiring.

This time we are looking for something less indepth and not as long. More of a really interesting overview of Ancient Rome - Colosseum, Forum, etc. Same thing with the Vatican. Any suggestions? Perhaps a private guide?

Also, I have found that you can buy the early entry tickets to the Vatican but not go with a group. You enter with the early groups but you are on your own. Any thoughts on that?

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help, thoughts, suggestions.

KayTKay

I realize that we can also go on our own for the Colosseum and Forum - but I think that our friends would enjoy having someone who knew something about history lead them!

ekc

We toured with Agnes Crawford of www.understandingrome.com at the Colosseum/Forum/Palatine hill and really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend her!

Uma

We really enjoyed our tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum with Daniella Hunt of www.rome-tours.com several years ago. She is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and fun. This past September, we did an evening food tour with Bruno of www.foodtoursofrome.com that was wonderful -- great food and some history, too. Highly recommend both.

DRJ

I enjoyed a hour long wine tasting at her apartment a couple of years ago. She's a pleasant, knowledgeable person, but I know nothing of her tour.

lowcountrycarol

I like you love Minchili's food app but did not want to spend 600 euro which is a heck of a lot of dollars for two of us to take her four hour food tour. Also she does not do the Testaccio area any longer and we felt we were very familiar with the Campo dei Fiori food perveyors where she would have taken us.

We chose instead a tour with Eating Italy in the Testaccio area and enjoyed it. I will add though as I am very "involved" with food, have been to Rome many times, traveled a lot in Europe, it is certainly was not as in depth as I am sure Minchilli's tours are....adding up to you get what you pay for. I would call the Eating Italy tour more a food sampling with a little background.....but not for the very experienced cook, traveler, "eater".

Maybe LowcountryIslander will see this post and respond. I believe she has done several food or wine tours in Rome and might be able to give some good suggestions.

flygirl

Elizabeth Minchilli's tours are now up to 700 euros... I've heard such great things about her but I'll wait until my parents/friends travel with me - more bang for the buck then.

I have heard very good things about VinoRoma.

ShellD

We loved out evening food tour with Food Tours of Rome with Bruno. I have the link in my trip report. You can find it by clicking on my name. And here is the blog post detailing the tour. I'd recommend it in a second! http://tripspicsandtales.blogspot.co...thing-you.html

KayTKay

Yes, Minchilli's tours are 700E with over 100E VAT - which I would have to figure out how to get returned on services. She didn't know the answer either - maybe someone here does.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I'm going to check them out right now!

KayTKay

Has anyone used or is anyone familiar with The Roman Guy theromanguy.com for private tours?