Lisa Peretz

I've read many posts praising Scala Reale and have started to look into their tours. I'm getting the feeling that they are a lot of walking and 4 hours sounds like it may be a little too much for my husband and I. We are very interested in seiing and learning about the major sights, but would probably prefer a slightly abridged version of Scala Reale's Ancient Rome Tour. Does anyone have any suggestions within Scala Reale's other offerings or another great company that ISN'T the typical commercial tourist trap?????? <BR>We really want to the The Colliseum, the Forum and the pantheon first and foremost, and will probably try to see the sistine chapel on our own.

Ed

One really doesn't need an escort to visit the sights on the top of your list. The Roman Forum (and the other fora), the Colosseum and Pantheon are all there for you to see. <BR> <BR>You'll find a stroll sketched out that will cover the first two and more at www.twenj.com/rometour2.htm Pantheon can easily be added to that walk or separately; see www.twenj.com/rometour5.htm <BR> <BR>You'll find the basic information sketched in these pages. Add a Michelin Rome Green Guide and you'll be all set. See www.twenj.com/romesightsselftour.htm <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com

angie

We toured with a company named Enjoy Rome...we took the evening Ancient Rome tour with Susie...it was fabulous, but lots of walking. If you are up to it I am sure it would be a highlight of your trip! Susie will give you lots of information you don't read in the tour books...she tells stories that I remember two years later. I highly recommend Enjoy Rome.

Rex

Here's an in between answer to Ed's do-it-yourself approach versus a full escorted walking tour. <BR> <BR>There are a number of (semi?) self-employed tour guides at the Colosseum; they are often college students from an English-speaking country, and they tend to have a streak of showman/stand-up comic in them. They will lead you and entertain you for about 45-60 minutes. <BR> <BR>You may have to assemble your own group of 6-12 people, or they may be "collecting" a group that you can join. I think that you can get more out of your visit to the Colosseum with them, and then see some of your other desired destinations on your own. <BR> <BR>Just a thought. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Cathy

Here is another vote for Enjoy Rome - it is a good tour for the light hearted view of Rome and is especially good for kids and people who want a taste of the city without getting over crowed with details on their first visit to the city. However I would back Ed's suggestions (check out his web site it is excellent) of do it yourself - it is easy to do so and you can do it at your own pace. On my last visit to Rome I had a sprained ankle (still have !) and I just wandered around with my family as I knew that a walking group like Scale or Enjoy would be too much for my foot. Avoid the Bus tours as they are a rip off especially the Carrani (think that is what they were called) We took one the last time at night as an introduction to Rome for my parents in law who hate walking and are spoilt went it comes to travel (ie been there done that so what is for dinner sort of folks) and while they thought it was great I thought it was overpriced (I paid !) and far too general an introduction but my in laws didn't have to do any thinking and could say that they saw Rome but it is not the way to see the city. Hope this helps, <BR> <BR>cathy <BR>

Boots

It has been two years since I have been in Rome; I hope this is still current information. At that time one could get a 3 1/2 hour(sometimes they run longer) tour of Rome via a rickety bus that leaves from in front of Termini Rail Station at about 2 p.m. I have taken it on three occasions; sometimes they are filled, so arrive a half hour early. It is very good value for the money. The drive is also the guide, and some of them are excellent.

Catherine

Hi Lisa, <BR>My husband and I just got back two weeks ago and by the time we got to Rome it was differcult to do anymore walking because I had fallen on my knees in Venice. They have a city tour bus number 110, cost is $7.50 and it leaves from Termini station in the am. You can take the whole tour of all the major sites and then decide where you want to get on and off at will. The ticket is good for all day. The buses were brand new and the drivers windows were at least four feet by four feet. I was able to take pictures from it. Hope this helps.

lisa peretz

Thanks for the info so far. I'd love to get feedback if anyone has taken Enjoy Rome's 3 hour day tour of Ancient and Old Rome?? It looks like it covers more terrain than the scala reale 4 hour tour. (I'm guessing it goes into less detail than the scala reale tour which would be ok with me because i don't know if i can last for 4 to 4 1/2 hours). <BR>Any advice you have would be much appreciated. <BR> <BR>

Cathy

Lisa, <BR>We did the Enjoy Rome - ancient Rome tour on our first visit and found it very good. Our tour guide was Jennifer but Susie (Head Guide) accompanied the tour (and gave the Vatician one we took) and it was excellent. It was relaxing, not over burdening on historic and architecture detail but just enough of the basics (and no problem answering more detailed questions) to give us our bearings. There is quite alot of walking between the sites but once you get to the site there is an opportunity to rest (and we did - because we had walked miles around Rome by the time we took the tour). Tour groups tend to be about 10 or so and it is especially suitable fr children etc and people who have an interest in Rome, historic, archieture etc yet don't have a lot of background knowledge. In addition the taste you get gives you enough to go back to the relevant sites and explore more. The cost factor of the tour was one of the things we liked as we wanted an introduction- cheaply - and then we explored more. <BR> <BR>Remember there are free tours of the Vatican run from the Vatican Tourist Office. <BR> <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>Cathy

Jeff

Just got back -- we took 2 tours from Enjoy Rome tours and can highly recommend. I had read about the Scala Reale tours on this board prior to going but upon our arrival found out that they were booked solid. Fortunately, we also had read a couple of recommendations on enjoy rome tours and ended up taking 2 of them. The first was a 3 hour "Ancient Rome" tour that covered the Colliseum, Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, etc. It was just the right amount of time and our guide (Shawn) was excellent - he was informative and entertaining. Secondly, we took a 2 1/2 hour tour of the Jewish Ghetto and Trestevere with Sylvie - I highly recommend this tour also. I know that many people say you can see these sights on your own and with a guidebook, but for me, it is not nearly the same. What made the sights interesting were the stories and background behind what you were seeing - guidebooks simply can't compare to a good guide. We did the first 2 days of sightseeing on our own and then took 1 tour on each of the next 2 days. These tours really brought the City to life for us. I can assure you that the tours I took were inexpensive, informative and full of interesting stories. However, the enjoy rome tours sound like they are "lighter", have larger groups (8-15 vs. 6) and may be less intensive then the Scala Reale tours (e.g. the two tour guides we had were around 23-26 and were not PhD's). Good luck and Enjoy.

lisa peretz

Thanks Jeff. We're going to take the Enjoy Rome tour you took of the main sites. I called over to Rome and the Guy who asnwered the phone at Enjoy Rome couldn't give me an exact time in advance for the day I'm interested in (May 19th). He said to call a week prior for a time and to just show up an hour before the scheduled time at their offices on the day of the tour. Does this sound right?

Cathy

Lisa, <BR>Yes that does sound right - it is exactly the same as happened to us. However I would recommend that you contact them on the day of your arrival and bookj the trips you want. They have a web site I think - and an email address but I cann't lay my hands on them at the moment. anyone else have them ? Don't forget the free Vatican tours I mentioned in my earlier posting, Enjoy you time in Rome, wish I was going, <BR> <BR>Cathy

Ishoo

Take the tourist bus and get on and off at your leisure. It stops at all of the major sites. Or just go walking on your own. If you take other public transportation be VERY careful of pickpockets. Especially the 84 bus to the Vatican. Also the area around the Colosseum is a popular haunt for thieves.

Jeff

Lisa, <BR>1) website is www.enjoyrome.it <BR>2) as of last week, the ancient rome tours start at 1:00 everyday and there is also a night version of the tour at 6:00. I took the 1:00. I guess times could potentially change, but on their schedule board it was the same everyday. <BR>3) if possible I would try contact them in advance to try and arrange/pay for the tour without having to go to their offices (which was a pain). <BR> <BR>Let me know if you have any additional questions about your trip to Rome.

jessie

The Collosseum tours mentioned in this Forum are run by a company called 'Walks of Rome'. After just arriving back I also discovered that they now also do free promotional tours of the Roman Forum and Sistine Chapel as well. After being really impressed by the quality English speaking guides on the Colloseum free tour, I took the paid Renassiance Evening tour and the Vatican. Both were excellent, in terms of education and entertainment. I fully recommend Walks of Rome. I believe their number is 06484853

Federico

I totally agree with Jessie. I was originally was going to take the evening tour by Enjoy Rome, but I heard really bad reports by travellers I met in Florance. Instead, I used Walks of Rome which was fantastic!! The evening Renassiance tour was particularly good because it only takes two hours, yet it covers the most important piazzas, monuments etc. The website for Walks of Rome is www.walksofeurope.com. Enjoy.

lisa peretz

Joseph, I inquired with Scala Reale originally about their ancient rome tour and was told it was 4 (and sometimes more) hours long. Also, it doesn't cover the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon. That was my other concern. I think it only covered the forum and colosseum. I was in touch with Lisa Aaronson -- when I suggested a slightly abridged version (either shorter, or adding the Pantheon) she said that would be considered a private tour (around $100.00 per person). I really tried to make the Scala Reale thing work, but it seems to cover a lot of stuff I could miss, and not the Pantheon. I think the Pantheon is covered in their other tour of Trastavere. the jewish ghetto and campo dei fiori. If I misunderstood, please let me know because people seem to love their tours. I also think 4 hours of walking may be too much for me. But, we'll see.

Carol

Hi Lisa, <BR> <BR>You don't need a guide for the Pantheon. It's a fabulous place that you should not miss at any cost, but you'll be fine with a good guide book. It's just one *small* building in terms of the quantity of items in its interior. The Scala Reale Ancient Rome tour is outstanding and lots of walking. It covers the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine hill in great detail and was one of the most fascinating encounters with history I've ever had. Our guide was Richard.

lisa peretz

That sounds like a fabulous tour! I would like to do a shorter, less intensive version of that tour. ANY SUGGESTIONS????????????

Lou

Federico, <BR>Thanks for the tip but when I tried to go to walksofeurope.com, it was some sort of FTP site. Are you sure about the url? Thanks in advance. <BR>Lou