After getting much advice on my 'Italy with a reluctant travel partner' thread and then on follow ups (thanks to all who chimed in), I have finally booked my air for my April trip. I am now looking into the more day to day aspects of seeing these cities.

I am very interested in using small guided tours for many of the sights. I have seen a number of companies recommended. What I want is someone who can convey their enthusiasm and knowledge without being preachy, drowning in details, or sounding like a grad school lecturer. I am concerned that a company like Context tours might be aimed well over my head. Any advice on what company to use, specific guides at those companies, what sights to use tours for, etc is appreciated.

And - I've read postings about the Scavi tour at the Vatican. Is this something that a non-Catholic would find interesting?

"What I want is someone who can convey their enthusiasm and knowledge without being preachy, drowning in details, or sounding like a grad school lecturer. I am concerned that a company like Context tours might be aimed well over my head."

That has not been my experience with CR. Their guides are knowledgeable yes, but the ones I've experienced were entertaining, affable, and not geeky. They know their audience.
Tour guides are always luck of the draw, but your chances are good if the agency has a great reputation to begin with. CR limits their groups to 6-8 at most. The group is small which also enables the guide to tailor the presentation and route to the desires of the group.

I am a lawyer w/an MBA, my son graduated college in '06 & my wife has a H.S diploma & 1 year business secretarial school but we all enjoyed & understood all of the Context tours we did(4 in Rome & 2 in Florence-they were not yet operating in Venice or the number would be higher)-I firmly believe that Context will fulfill every requirement you have listed & it will make your trip much more worthwhile-but, as I tell everyone, see the other comments to confirm what I say-that is how we came to use Context. Good Luck

Butnot,
you do not have to be Catholic to enjoy the Scavi tour. You do have to have either a fascination with history or a deep curiosity about the history of Christianity.

The grave of St. Peter is one of those tangible links to the past.

This is a good thread for your reference: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

I'm still hoping to hear from others about their small group tour experiences. I've been looking at the Icon tours website, and I'm wondering whether the 2 1/2 hours they alot to an ancient Rome or Vatican/St. Peters tour could possibly be enough. I have also spent time on the Context site - they offer many more tours, but they are very expensive. I've also been looking at Through Eternity and Romewalks. Ironically, I might end up choosing based on the time of the tour, since this trip is designed to be leisurely, and I don't want anything that requires rushing out in the morning. I want my husband to continue to travel with me after this Italy trip, so I have to travel at his speed.


Despite reassurances to the contrary, I am still concerned about feeling like an undergraduate in a graduate level course, particularly if we go with Context. This is primarily because although my husband and I have graduate degrees, we do not have a base knowledge of art, architecture, Roman history, or Catholicism. (We will be doing background reading, but I don't expect to have the level of knowledge that so many of the Fodors posters seem to have).


Hoping to hear from travelers who have used the companies mentioned, or any others you might recommend. And also would love to hear if anyone took one of the Rome evening walks (Passeggiata) - this seems like a nice thing to do before dinner on the day we arrive in Rome from Florence - or the Jewish Ghetto and Trastavere walk from Romewalks.


Thanks again to all who take the time to reply.