I am looking for guides for the Vatican, and the collesseum/Forum.
Any suggestions would be helpful

type in rome tour guides in the search field.

We've been looking for these same tours. Artviva looks like a good one. I still haven't booked anything but they seemed to cover more of what I wanted.

When DH & I were in Rome we just walked up to the Colosseum & hired on with one of the "Blue Badge" Guides. The guides with a blue badge hold a licence which is issued by the Italian government. They are legally allowed to be “tour guides”. They sit an exam to get permission to guide.

I would highly recommend them. I think each tour was about 10€ pp. The guides are easy to spot. They wear these big blue badges.

There were many of these "Blue Badge" guides outside the Colosseum. We just walked up to one & said we wanted an English tour & a few minutes later the tour started. We had a tour of the Colossuem in the morning & then hung around for another "Blue Badge" tour of the Forums in the afternoon.

Sandi and I used Francesca Caruso. She was wonderful. She leads tours for Rick Steves when he comes to Rome.

Does anyone know if these Blue Badge guides help get you tickets & by pass the long lines like I've read about on some postings? Or do you approach them with ticket in hand?

We also used Francesca. She was extraordinary! She'll listen to what you want and plan accordingly. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to use her again. Book early as she's very busy.

Here's her contact info: [email protected]

Also does Rick Steves' tours in Rome:
http://www.ricksteves.com/news/tourn.../francesca.htm

Finally remembered to ask DH about the Blue Badge guides. He said that he paid the guide & the guide bought the tickets.