I was wondering about the claustrophobic issue with the Scavi Tour.

My 13-yr old daughter reecently got very claustrophobic on the Bowfin submarine tour on Oahu. We never realized she was claustrophobic. She does fine on elevators. She was fine climbing Giotto's Tower in Florence and in a dark lava tube/cave in Oregon.

I really want to make reservations for the Scavi Tour next summer when we're in Rome, but I've heard it can be hard if you're claustrophobic.

Any claustrophobics out there who have done it???
Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!
Dina

If she was able to complete the tour of the lava cave in Oregon, she should be able to do the Scavi Tour. It is a fact that the tour will take her on a narrow, sort of cave-like route, but the tour keeps moving and there are no more than 10 people allowed per tour, which helps in alleviating the sense of confined space. I am claustrophobic myself, but did not find the tour particularly bothersome. By the way, I did the Bowfin sub tour as well and hated it!; could not wait to get out of there, I still have nightmares about it. I would most definitely go ahead with reservations. Have fun!

I am claustrophobic too and had no problem doing the SCAVI tour. As expressed by Viajero2, the tour will take her on a narrow, sort of cave-like route, but the ceilings are high on some parts. Have her be the last of the line so she won't feel confined by the people on the tour, this is something I often do and it works for me. Go ahead and make the reservations you will be glad you did.

I would strongly suggest that you bring some bottled water with you during the tour as it can get rather warm in certain locations particularly during the summer months. It's a great tour!!! Mike

How recent was the submarine experience relative to the lava tube/cave? If she's not been in a confined space since then she might well have problems even she if otherwise wouldn't, as a really bad experience with claustrophobia can sensitize one a bit.

That said, so long as she does not feel entirely trapped (and understands that she's not trapped) she'll be fine. I'm claustrophobic and actually have a little bit of trouble with elevators and planes. The idea of a submarine tour is positively horrifying to me---I can visit a submarine if it's docked, but only just barely.

The tip about drinking water is a good one. If you are traveling in the summer make sure you also bring something she can fan herself with, and have her dress as lightly as possible. A cotton camisole with a light blouse over it works well, as she can strip down to the camisole if she does end up in a tight spot.

Here is a link you should probably read:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34727666

When my husband and I went on the Scavi tour a few years ago, a family with a 15 year old daughter and 12 year old son was on the tour with us. The girl became extremely claustrophobic in the middle of the tour, to the extent that she was hyperventilating. The guide stopped the tour in one of the higher-ceiling rooms so she could regain her composure. Her brother offered to bring her back up to the top but the guide wouldn't allow them to leave the group. Luckily, she was able to pull herself together and we were able to finish the tour, at a somewhat quicker pace.

Wow, everyone, thanks for the fabulous advice. You are all amazing!!

Viajero--So glad you've also been on the Bowfin. It really is bad, I think, even if you're not claustrophobic. So I'm glad the Scavi Tour doesn't compare to that.

The submarine is the only claustrophobic experience she's ever had, and I'm hoping it wasn't traumatizing, since we got out as soon as she started feeling badly.

Luhimari--thanks for the back of the line tip. Great idea!

Thanks for the water and light dressing advice, too.

wliwl--I did read that thread, which is why I was so worried.
After hearing from all of you, I really do think that she'll be fine.

Thanks again everyone!!!

Dina

I'm not claustrophobic, but I would think there is a lot of difference between the Scavi Tour and a submarine ride. In a submarine, there is no way out, and if you're claustrophobic, the more you think about this fact, the worse it would get. Since she didn't have trouble with the other things you mentioned, maybe it's just a matter of knowing you can get out if you have to.

(Hi, Mike. I went on the Scavi Tour a couple of days after we met for dinner and it was fantastic!)

I also meant to mention that I agree with taking a bottle of water with you. I was there in late Sept, and it was quite hot and humid down there. I was wishing I had a bottle of water with me.

When I did the tour a woman became claustrophobic right near the beginning and we had to wait while the guide escorted her back out. From Grinisa's account it sounds as though this wouldn't have happened if we'd been further on. Apart from considering the discomfort caused to the claustrophobic person if they can't be allowed out immediately, I think the rest of the group would be disappointed if they had to be rushed through the rest of the tour. Can't you go without your daughter ?