HI Willow Jane --

First I got a confirmation e-mail, which reads as follows:

This automatic answer only confirms that we have received your request and does not mean that your tour is scheduled!
Please, don't answer to this messaging
 
However, these requests are also being processed and  we will communicate the schedules of the visit as soon as possible only when the visit is possible.
Given the unique location of the Vatican necropolis, we need to give careful attention to the conservation of this irreplaceable historical-archaeological site, where is preserved the original tomb of St. Peter.
Only about 250 visitors per day are permitted in the necropolis.
The visit to these excavations is a privilege accorded to visitors by the Excavations Office and depends entirely on the preservation needs of the necropolis.
Only those who are 15 years or age or older are permitted to make the visit.  No exceptions whatsoever can be made.
Other information
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20090216_en.html
The virtual tours of the necropolis and the tomb of St. Peter
       http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/necropoli/scavi_english.html


Later came the email with the proposed time, to which you respond, and then another email where you pay.

Thank you davis! I will watch for the first email.

Sure thing! Forgot the fourth email which confirms the payment was received. Keep an eye on your spam folder too, just in case it ends up there.

I put my Scavi request in on a Monday in April and almost immediately received a confirmation of request acknowledgement. The following day I was offered a slot and paid the day after. It was so easy, after all my concerns, and I was amazed I even got a slot as I only applied 7 weeks out for mid June!! Good luck.

I booked various other tours only a few weeks before we went and got all the dates and times I wanted so you should have plenty of time to make reservations even if the Scavi office don't reply immediately.

Sounds like a great trip!

hi willowjane,

we did the scavi tour on our last trip to rome and really enjoyed it. Actually i'm not sure if enjoyed is the right word as I when we got to the chapel below the main altar and they were just starting to sing the midday mass, i started to weep! [as i'm not at all religious this was a rather weird reaction].

if you have the time and the queues aren't too bad, try to combine it with a trip to the top of the dome - great views over the roofs of the Basilica and a chance to see the mosaics round the inside of the Dome up-close and personal, as well as climb to the top of course.

we also loved the galleria doria pamphilj - a tour round someone's home/palace, world class paintings, and hardly anyone there -

http://www.dopart.it/roma/

Thanks so much to you all!!. I will follow up on all of the advice and suggestions. This is why I am addicted to fodor's!

Davis - I went back and looked at the information in the link you provided and I sent a more coherent email to the Scavi office. Thank you for that information! Annhig, I went to the website of the palazzo and it looks just like our cup of tea. I will follow up on that one. Thanks again to everyone!

Since it's the weekend and the Scavi office is closed, you might not hear back right away.

I know this is silly, but I just heard! This trip and this visit in particular is a BIG deal to me and I am thrilled. Pardon my hysteria.

consider yourself pardoned, willow.

I'mm going back to Rome for the 3rd time in February and I'm thrilled too.

Congrats, willowjane! I was ecstatic when I got my Scavi confirmation!

DO visit Galleria Doria Pamphilj. We really enjoyed it and it was not crowded at all. One of our unexpected favorites.