How long does it take to receive a receipt for the Scavi tour after sending payment?
Feb 20th, 2006, 06:18 PM
#21
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I suppose the problem is that I gave only 1 date...May 13th as that is the ONLY date we have available. But I did think 5 months notice would guarantee a reservation.Perhaps I'll fax another request and just hope I don't get excommunicated 
Oldmyst,was your initial reply similar to mine? Rather ambiguous wording don't you think?
Oldmyst,was your initial reply similar to mine? Rather ambiguous wording don't you think?
Feb 20th, 2006, 06:45 PM
#22
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Minx, the email from the Scavi office really made no sense. Either they have availability or they don't. I couldn't figure out if they were turning me down or not. You just have to wait and see if they will bestow some kindness and give you a reservation. And my problem is that I am trying to obtain tickets at a very late stage. I didn't even know this place existed until last week. Their email really intimidated me a little. I might try emailing again...but I'm afraid I'll be on their S list.
Feb 21st, 2006, 12:05 AM
#23
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dorkforcemom:
Fri, Jan 27, 2006, 1:15pm (EST+6)
To: [email protected]
Subject: 12345-P NECROPOLI_Basilica:28,April9:15am 1 people_-Vatican City, January 26, 2006
Reference Number: 12345
Fri, Jan 27, 2006, 1:15pm (EST+6)
To: [email protected]
Subject: 12345-P NECROPOLI_Basilica:28,April9:15am 1 people_-Vatican City, January 26, 2006
Reference Number: 12345
Feb 21st, 2006, 02:50 AM
#24
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Thanks for the info. I am in the same boat.
I received the standard e-mail response after my inital enquiry on 13th Feb. - so that's a week ago.
I havn't been asked to pay yet & don't know what's happening. I gave a span of 6 consecutive days & 2 months notice so I hope we get in, it would be an awesome experience.
I received the standard e-mail response after my inital enquiry on 13th Feb. - so that's a week ago.
I havn't been asked to pay yet & don't know what's happening. I gave a span of 6 consecutive days & 2 months notice so I hope we get in, it would be an awesome experience.
Feb 21st, 2006, 03:37 AM
#25
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Hmm, the initial auto reply I got sounds VERY negative (talks about If there if a cancellation, and it is possible top accommodate us...) but I think it is that they do not book until later. I asked in January for July, gave only one day (that's all we have not already committed when you take into account closures and 3 other tours. We would really like to go on the tour --it has religious significance to us--but if it doesn't work out, we'll have plenty of alternatives. I don't expect to know, though, until April or May based on the comments I've read here...
Feb 21st, 2006, 06:38 AM
#26
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Hi Victoria
I also emailed on Jan. 1st for a specific day in July. After 5 minutes, I got a confirmation that my email was received, but have not heard anything since!
When did you get your confusing email and what did it say?
I'm thinking of sending a fax this week. Other threads have suggested that works better. Why it has to be so difficult I don't undestand!
Dina
I also emailed on Jan. 1st for a specific day in July. After 5 minutes, I got a confirmation that my email was received, but have not heard anything since!
When did you get your confusing email and what did it say?
I'm thinking of sending a fax this week. Other threads have suggested that works better. Why it has to be so difficult I don't undestand!
Dina
Feb 21st, 2006, 08:15 AM
#27
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Dina,read my posting (about the 9th down) as to what the automated response had to say(????) I keep re-reading it and for the life of me cannot figure out what they are actually trying to convey.Especially "if you didn't receive a communication" bit.Maybe I'll adopt the relaxed attitude of Victoria and if it's to be fine and if not, there is a wealth of other things to do.
Feb 21st, 2006, 09:33 AM
#28
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minx-
My humble interpretation of that email is that they're in the process of giving tickets out, but might not be able to accomodate you, so if it's possible to accomodate you they'll let you know, but if it's not possible you won't hear from them , and be sure not to contact them if you don't hear from them.
It's quite unbelievable, really.
I would contact them again. They seem way too unorganized to realize that it's your second time contacting them.
My humble interpretation of that email is that they're in the process of giving tickets out, but might not be able to accomodate you, so if it's possible to accomodate you they'll let you know, but if it's not possible you won't hear from them , and be sure not to contact them if you don't hear from them.
It's quite unbelievable, really.
I would contact them again. They seem way too unorganized to realize that it's your second time contacting them.
Feb 21st, 2006, 09:38 AM
#30
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I made my reservation online with the Scavi, but they didn't charge my card until the day of the tour and we paid on site. We had a confirm email back though so we were on the list when we arrived. So we weren't worried that we were going to be dropped from the manifest.
Feb 21st, 2006, 10:19 AM
#31
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This was my timeline of the e-mails from start to finish.
In my other post I mentioned that 90day/3month *possible* rule, where they might start confirming tours in that timeframe.
My 1st email was just before that and I was confirmed right around 3 months out.
SENT: Wed, Jan 18, 2006, 5:06pm
To: [email protected]
Subject: St. Peter's Scavi Tour
Dear Sirs,
I would like to request a tour if available on any of the following dates for.
1 person
Walter Smith
English language tour
April 28, 29,
May 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, in 2006.
I will be staying at the Hotel XYZ (phone #) 06.68.45.327
Thank You and Kind Regards.
Walter Smith
RECEIVED exactly 11hrs almost to the minute after my request.
From: [email protected](ufficio scavi) Date: Thu, Jan 19, 2006, 8:08am (EST+6) To: [email protected] Subject: RE: St. Peter's Scavi Tour
Regarding your request, the Office of the Excavations sends an automatic answer to confirm the receipt of the message. The Vatican Scavi, as you are aware, is one of the most sacred spots in the world for Christians.
The Excavations Office receive many thousands of requests each year to visit the excavations.
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate all of these requests. First, the nature of the necropolis is such that visits can be made only in small groups.
Second, in order to care for the necropolis and tomb of St Peter, we necessarily need to limit the amount of the visitors that visit each day (only about 300 people each day).
Requests are also being processed and we will communicate the schedules of the visitre as soon as possible when the visit is possible.
If you didn't receive a communication, we are sorry to not be able to fulfil the desire to visit the excavations. If, due to a cancellation, it is possible to accommodate you, it will be our pleasure to inform you of your reservation as soon as possible. You are kindly asked not to reapply for the visit by E-Mail or by Fax.
RECEIVED: Fri, Jan 27, 2006,
1:15pm (EST+6)
To: [email protected] Subject: 12345-P NECROPOLI_Basilica: 28,April9:15am 1 people_- Vatican City, January 26, 2006
Reference Number: 12345
Mr. Smith Walter,
I am writing in reference to your request for a reservation for 1 people to visit the excavations under St. Peter's Basilica. The visit is conducted only by our authorized guides and lasts about an hour and a half. Each group consists of about 12 people who must be at least 15 years old (exception will be made for children between 12-14 years old accompanied by a parent).
Reference.: 12345 Visitors
No. 1
Language
nbsp;English
day: Friday 28 April 2006 time : 9:15am
Cost of the ticket, included presence of the specialized Guided: Euro 10,00 (only children 12-14 years old authorized : 5,00) Total for 1 tickets : Euro 10,00
Considering the number of requests, it is important to confirm the reservation following the procedure.
TICKETS
You must pay for the proposed appointment within 25 days after receiving this letter. If not, the reservation will be cancelled. Before you complete your information for the visit, we would like to remind you that the ticket deposit is not refundable for any reason. The tickets may be purchased in one of the following ways:
a) by credit card (Payment can be made by sending the number and expiration date of your credit card Visa, Mastercard, AmericanExpress. Please include your reference number 12345) when faxing or e-mailing
(mailto
[email protected]?subject=CONFIRM:12345-28,April-9:15am). The Office will send a deposit receipt.
b) by means of your representative directly at the Excavations Office. The individual ticket will be given 10 minutes before of the visit near the Excavations Office.
The Excavation Office reserves the right to modify the schedules of the visits in case that the Basilica is closed and for other reasons. If the visit cannot be rescheduled, the Excavations Office will cancel the scheduled visit and refund any payments made. Please use the Reference Number 12345 in any future correspondence concerning this reservation.
SENT: Fri, Jan 27, 2006, 2:54pm To: [email protected] (ufficio
scavi) Subject: CONFIRM: 12345-28,April-9:15am 12345
VISA
1234 5678 9012 3456
EXP. Date 05/08
Thank-You & Kind Regards, Walter Smith
RECEIVED: This automated response 1 minute later.
From: [email protected](ufficio scavi) Date: Fri, Jan 27, 2006,
8:57pm (EST+6) To: [email protected] Subject: RE: CONFIRM: 12345-28,April-9:15am
E-Mail Acknowledgment/Important Notice
This is an auto-generated system message. Receipt of this acknowledgment confirms that the e-mail message you sent to Excavations Office of Vatican City has been received. Please do not reply to this address.
RECEIVED:
From:[email protected](ufficio scavi) Date: Mon, Jan 30, 2006, 10:16am (EST+6) To: [email protected] Subject: 12345P SCAVI Ricevuta/Receipt: #54321 *
Friday Vatican City, January 30, 2006
RICEVUTA di pagamento
RECEIPT OF DEPOSIT: 54321
VISITA della Necropoli sotto la Basilica / Visit of the Vatican Necropolis below the basilica.
To: Smith Walter
Prot. / Ref. N. 12345
Ricevuta / Receipt N. 54321 10,00
Reference.: 12345 Visitors No. 1
__ 1. tour. Number of visitors 1 language: English
day: Friday 28 April 2006 time : 9:15am
Visita registrata sotto il nome di/ recorded visit under the name Smith Walter
The tickets will be picked up at the Excavations Office 10 minutes prior to the time of the tour.
In my other post I mentioned that 90day/3month *possible* rule, where they might start confirming tours in that timeframe.
My 1st email was just before that and I was confirmed right around 3 months out.
SENT: Wed, Jan 18, 2006, 5:06pm
To: [email protected]
Subject: St. Peter's Scavi Tour
Dear Sirs,
I would like to request a tour if available on any of the following dates for.
1 person
Walter Smith
English language tour
April 28, 29,
May 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, in 2006.
I will be staying at the Hotel XYZ (phone #) 06.68.45.327
Thank You and Kind Regards.
Walter Smith
RECEIVED exactly 11hrs almost to the minute after my request.
From: [email protected](ufficio scavi) Date: Thu, Jan 19, 2006, 8:08am (EST+6) To: [email protected] Subject: RE: St. Peter's Scavi Tour
Regarding your request, the Office of the Excavations sends an automatic answer to confirm the receipt of the message. The Vatican Scavi, as you are aware, is one of the most sacred spots in the world for Christians.
The Excavations Office receive many thousands of requests each year to visit the excavations.
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate all of these requests. First, the nature of the necropolis is such that visits can be made only in small groups.
Second, in order to care for the necropolis and tomb of St Peter, we necessarily need to limit the amount of the visitors that visit each day (only about 300 people each day).
Requests are also being processed and we will communicate the schedules of the visitre as soon as possible when the visit is possible.
If you didn't receive a communication, we are sorry to not be able to fulfil the desire to visit the excavations. If, due to a cancellation, it is possible to accommodate you, it will be our pleasure to inform you of your reservation as soon as possible. You are kindly asked not to reapply for the visit by E-Mail or by Fax.
RECEIVED: Fri, Jan 27, 2006,
1:15pm (EST+6)
To: [email protected] Subject: 12345-P NECROPOLI_Basilica: 28,April9:15am 1 people_- Vatican City, January 26, 2006
Reference Number: 12345
Mr. Smith Walter,
I am writing in reference to your request for a reservation for 1 people to visit the excavations under St. Peter's Basilica. The visit is conducted only by our authorized guides and lasts about an hour and a half. Each group consists of about 12 people who must be at least 15 years old (exception will be made for children between 12-14 years old accompanied by a parent).
Reference.: 12345 Visitors
No. 1
Language
nbsp;English day: Friday 28 April 2006 time : 9:15am
Cost of the ticket, included presence of the specialized Guided: Euro 10,00 (only children 12-14 years old authorized : 5,00) Total for 1 tickets : Euro 10,00
Considering the number of requests, it is important to confirm the reservation following the procedure.
TICKETS
You must pay for the proposed appointment within 25 days after receiving this letter. If not, the reservation will be cancelled. Before you complete your information for the visit, we would like to remind you that the ticket deposit is not refundable for any reason. The tickets may be purchased in one of the following ways:
a) by credit card (Payment can be made by sending the number and expiration date of your credit card Visa, Mastercard, AmericanExpress. Please include your reference number 12345) when faxing or e-mailing
(mailto
[email protected]?subject=CONFIRM:12345-28,April-9:15am). The Office will send a deposit receipt. b) by means of your representative directly at the Excavations Office. The individual ticket will be given 10 minutes before of the visit near the Excavations Office.
The Excavation Office reserves the right to modify the schedules of the visits in case that the Basilica is closed and for other reasons. If the visit cannot be rescheduled, the Excavations Office will cancel the scheduled visit and refund any payments made. Please use the Reference Number 12345 in any future correspondence concerning this reservation.
SENT: Fri, Jan 27, 2006, 2:54pm To: [email protected] (ufficio
scavi) Subject: CONFIRM: 12345-28,April-9:15am 12345
VISA
1234 5678 9012 3456
EXP. Date 05/08
Thank-You & Kind Regards, Walter Smith
RECEIVED: This automated response 1 minute later.
From: [email protected](ufficio scavi) Date: Fri, Jan 27, 2006,
8:57pm (EST+6) To: [email protected] Subject: RE: CONFIRM: 12345-28,April-9:15am
E-Mail Acknowledgment/Important Notice
This is an auto-generated system message. Receipt of this acknowledgment confirms that the e-mail message you sent to Excavations Office of Vatican City has been received. Please do not reply to this address.
RECEIVED:
From:[email protected](ufficio scavi) Date: Mon, Jan 30, 2006, 10:16am (EST+6) To: [email protected] Subject: 12345P SCAVI Ricevuta/Receipt: #54321 *
Friday Vatican City, January 30, 2006
RICEVUTA di pagamento
RECEIPT OF DEPOSIT: 54321
VISITA della Necropoli sotto la Basilica / Visit of the Vatican Necropolis below the basilica.
To: Smith Walter
Prot. / Ref. N. 12345
Ricevuta / Receipt N. 54321 10,00
Reference.: 12345 Visitors No. 1
__ 1. tour. Number of visitors 1 language: English
day: Friday 28 April 2006 time : 9:15am
Visita registrata sotto il nome di/ recorded visit under the name Smith Walter
The tickets will be picked up at the Excavations Office 10 minutes prior to the time of the tour.
Feb 21st, 2006, 11:29 AM
#32
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It is the last part of Walter's post - the receipt of deposit - that I have not yet received, even though my credit card was charged. I e-mailed the office last night and hope to receive a response within the next week. Do you think that it's ok to assume that we are on the list for the tour at this point?
Feb 22nd, 2006, 08:04 PM
#37
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Minx-
Don't know where Ann is, but I found the phone # on the website...
Tel. +39 06 6988.5318
Office hours are 9 - 5. I figure if I call early in the morning L.A. time, I might actually get to speak with someone.
Sounds too easy, though, don't you think?
Dina
Don't know where Ann is, but I found the phone # on the website...
Tel. +39 06 6988.5318
Office hours are 9 - 5. I figure if I call early in the morning L.A. time, I might actually get to speak with someone.
Sounds too easy, though, don't you think?
Dina
