I haven't posted lately, BUT I've been reading this board almost daily, AND I can't tell you all how much help you've been without even knowing it. As a newbie to this forum, I finally got the hang of using the search function which has helped immensely for info on restaurants, sites, books to read, money exchange, etc. etc. etc.!!! I could never have done this, and certainly wouldn't have had the confidence to try without this board. This is my first trip to Europe.

I've booked as much as I can get away with in light of my husband's reluctance to plan anything, and my own penchant for planning everything. I hope I've reached the ideal medium by booking what needs to be booked, and leaving lots of open time for exploring and spontaneity.

This is the plan, and any input would be welcome:

Sunday, Sept. 5: Arrive in Rome in a.m. (from CA). Pick up by limoservicerome, and check in to the Hotel Grand de la Minerve. Nothing scheduled-- thought we'd adapt to our surroundings and maybe explore the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona areas, do some people watching, stop at cafes and/or gelatorrios.

Mon. Sept. 6. Scala Reale tour of Vatican at 1o. Maybe do some of the above before. Any other suggestions for the morning?

Tues. Sept 7 Scavi Tour at 9:15. Nothing else scheduled. Thought maybe do Castel St. Angelo and revisit Vactican.

Wed. Sept. 8. Reservation for Papal audience in the morning. Nothing else scheduled. Thought might explore Trastavere, or anything else in the area missed.

Thurs. Sept. 9 Scala Reale Ancient Rome tour at 9:15. Borghese Gallery at 5:00. Play middle by ear-- see more of ancient rome, explore Borghese gardens, sit at some cafe, etc.

Fri. and Sat. the 10th and 11th: Left these completely open per hubby's request. By then we should know what else we'd like to see and what we might like to return to. I have some ideas, but am also not sure exactly what will be covered in the Scala Reale tours. I'd like to see the church that has St. Teresa in Ecstasy, maybe the Museum of Rome History, maybe the church with the Bocca del Verito, and of course shopping!!

One question about Scala Reale, I do have confirmations printed and will take with me, but I haven't been able to communicate with them via the internet, so anal me is getting worried because I can't find the tours on the website we booked either. Is this normal?

Thanks for any suggestions and ALL the wonderful help!!! I'll post a good trip report upon our return.

Nancy

You will like the Scavi Tour. Just a reminder that you are not allowed any baggage of any kind. You must check any bags into a bag check area on the right side (if facing the Church from the square) of St. Peters Basillica. You have to go to the Left of the Basillica and gain access via Swiss Guard to the tour office about a couple of hundred yards. It will be hot and muggy down in the tombs, but what a sight to see that many people do not even know about.

There is a great restaurant near the spainish Steps:

AL 34
Via Mario de' Fiori 34, Rome, Italy
Phone: 06/6795091 Piazza di Spagna

You can read about the Restaurant in Fodors.

The food was great.

Do not forget about the Collusium and Stuff.

Make sure that you go back to the Trevi Fountain at night when most of the crowd has disbursed.

Other then that just take your time and remember Rome was not built in a day so you will not be able to see it all in the couple of days that you have. So just do what my wife and I do just take your time and enjoy the simple pleasures of sipping a expresso or glass of wine and watch the crowds of people go by. Nothing is better in life then to watch the tourist run around trying to figure out where to go and such. My last suggestion is to go and sit yourself in your local bookstore and just study the lay out of Rome and the general areas of intrest so that you are not one of the tourist trying to find the entrance to the Vatican i.e.

Have a good trip.

Out experience with Scala Reale last month was great. Your tours are all listed on their website.
When it gets closer to your date they will send you an email with more info. You can also call them directly.

Have fun - be sure to treat yourself to a nice dinner (or 2) outside on a piazza!

Is there any way you could change your Scala R. tour to Tuesday, so that you wouldn't have to go to the Vatican 3 days in a row? That would free up your Monday to plan something else! Of course, this might be difficult if they are not responding to you...

When we arrived in Rome, Scala Reale had a packet at the front desk for us. The packet contained maps, restaurant recommendations, tickets for the tour and all their pertinent information should we have needed to contact them.

Also in the packet was information on where to meet for the orientation walk. After checking in at the hotel, we were so anxious to see SOMETHING, that we walked over to the Pantheon and had lunch at one of the outdoor cafes in the piazza. By the time lunch was finished, it was time to freshen up and then walk to Spanish Steps area to meet the group. The group was small, the guide was knowledgeable and funny and informative. That tour lasted about two to three hours. We had a great time and were thankful for that wonderful introduction to Rome.

SR is an excellent organization. They must just be busy...they will surely get back to you.

Hi Nancy,

I booked three tours with SR last year and they were all good. They are sometimes a little hard to get a hold of and I did call them to confirm before I left but I would not worry.

I am sitting here looking at the poster I bought of St. Teresa in Ecstasy from the church pastor. Sometimes the church is closed between 11 AM and 3 PM and the church is small so if services are taking place you need to wait till they end.
As you face the main altar on the right side you can walk to the back where they sell postcards, posters, etc.

Also you will be close by two other beautiful churches: Sant' Andrea al Quirinale and San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. They are both small but spectacular.

As a fellow Californian may I ask where you bought your ticket from?

Have a good trip,

==Mike

First, I did something wrong-- I lost my reply. SO, if it ends up showing up somewhere please accept my apologies for this re-try.

Thanks for the responses-- I feel more comfortable now with the non response of Scala Reale, and am fully looking forward to the tours. At least when I booked, there were no available tours on Tues., which is why I ended up with the schedule I have.

Mike, I booked hotel and air through an Expedia pacakge. BUT, in retrospect I could have done better by going through the hotel directly. By the time I figured out how to access the hotel, I'd already booked, and because I have a package including flight it wasn't cost effective to change plans. All of this has been on line, including tix to sites and tours.

Nancy