Alice

I want to thank everyone for the info on The Scavi Tour at the Vatican. I’ve been reading a lot about it, and finally sent an email requesting a tour for me and my fiance. I sent the email just a few days ago, and this morning received an email confirming our tour on June 14th at 3:15pm! I’m so excited! I thought for sure that with such short notice, we’d be out of luck!<BR>They gave me a reference number and told me to call to confirm a few days prior to the 14th.<BR><BR>Just goes to show that it’s worth taking a chance! Thanks everyone!<BR><BR>- Alice

Sherry

Hi Alice. Just wanted to tell you to arrive a few minutes earlier as they are now guiding all people that want to go into the Church or of course to the tour. You now must be scanned with a wand and sometimes the line can back up before you are allowed into the area directly in front of St. Peter's.<BR>You will really enjoy the tour.

Dee

I just sent the Scavi folks a return email a few minutes ago. We hope to secure a tour a week after you, Alice. Unfortunately, teens must be 15 years old which leaves out my 13 year old. I requested reservations leaving him out, but now I'm wondering if they really would check ages. We also have two 15 year olds with us. Am curious why the age restriction? Anyone have any thoughts?

Doug Weller

Just a warning, it will probably be very warm. It has its own climate control and at that time of day will probably be warmer than the outside.<BR><BR>Doug

Michelle

My son went on the Scavi tour with me last year when he was 14. No one asked him for ID, but he is tall for his age.<BR>I knew he would be attentive during the tour since he is very interested in just about anything historical. Also, technically and according to the Church he had been alive for 15 years.

Alice

Thanks for the tips everyone! I hate even the thought of being late, so we’ll plan on getting there early and hanging around St. Peters if we have to wait.<BR><BR>- Alice

Marilyn

I have been on the tour and cannot see any reason for the age restrictions other than you probably would not want to take small children. For those that can't get reservations, we noted the day of our reservations there were no shows and the attendant allowed walk ins. M.

LJ

I think I know why the (seemingly odd) age restriction on the Tour. We went last year and our group, mostly adults was led by a charming priest from Atlanta Georgia on assignment to the Vatican. He guided this tour daily, very knowledgably and in 4 languages, on his lunch hour. <BR><BR>The group in front of ours was another story: school kids, from Germany, I think, polarized between the very bored and very interested who asked all sorts of questions. Both factions contributed to a VERY slow pace, not assisted by the guide-priest who did not "manage" kids well.<BR><BR>"Our" priest kept checking his watch, harumphing loudly and apologizing to us for the increasing claustophobia of being stuck in small spaces due to the pace of the other group.<BR> <BR>If this was a frequent occurence I can quite imagine a little meeting of the rules committee, reminding all tour guides of the age restrictions!<BR><BR>

carmenr

Please explain what is covered in a Scavi Tour. We visited Rome a few years ago and never heard about this tour,<BR><BR>Thanks

John H

Alice,<BR><BR>Gald you were able to get reservations for this tour -- it is fantastic.<BR><BR>Can you just please post the e-mail address you used to make your request? Thanks.<BR><BR>Have a great trip.<BR><BR>John H.

Alice

John,<BR><BR>I don't recall the address I wrote to (from another computer), but I got the address from a website. Do a search on Google.com for Scavi and Vatican, and you should be able to find a website about the tours. Also, do a search on this board, and you may find something. If I can find the address in the next few days, I'll post it.<BR><BR>- Alice

Alice

John,<BR><BR>The address I wrote to was [email protected]<BR><BR>Good luck! This time next week, I’ll be driving from Rome to Siena... ahhhhh...<BR><BR>- Alice

John H

Thanks, Alice.<BR><BR>Have a great trip.<BR><BR>John H

Barb

Carmen--scavi is Italian for excavations. You are taken underneath St. Peter's Basilica, where you will view a necropolis or city of the dead. In these mausoleums, many of which are pre-Christian, and some of which are early Christian, you will see artifacts identifying the families who buried their dead. <BR><BR>There is much fascinating history in this excavation, but the most moving is the tomb believed to be that of St. Peter,located in 1950 and situated directly beneath the Papal Altar, finally confirming almost 2000 years of tradition that on this spot Peter was buried.<BR><BR>The Scavi Tour is fascinating for any student of history; because of the limited space, and the necessity to keep the humidity levels high to prevent the drying out and damaging of the environment, tours are strictly limited in number. Definitely a worthwhile visit while in Rome.

Barb

[email protected] <BR>

Carmenr

Thanks Barb for your definition of Scavi Tour. We did go under the main altar @ St. Peters when we visited Rome but did not benefit from a tour guide. Will have to do that next time we are there.<BR><BR>Thanks again

Walter

Carmenr: Just to clarify and if I understand your post correctly, the Scavi Tour is *under* that area you visited where the Pope's tombs were. It's entered from outside the church and *only* with a guided tour. Regards, Walter

Walter

Also try www.twenj.net/romevatican.htm for info. Regards, Walter

carmenr

Thanks Walter. Now I see. I wasn't even close to where the Scavi Tour takes you. Again, I will definitely look into it before visiting there in the future.

ttt

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