dina4

Want a good chuckle?

I finally got the nerve to send a 2nd email, even though they tell you not to.
Well, it bounced back to me.
Why?
The scavi mailbox was full.

Dina

daisy58

Dina- what day of the week did you resend your request? I am asking because I resent mine on Friday March 17, and after the initial response email back, followed by a reservation offer, followed by my c/c payment, and ultimately my receipt arriving to my email on Friday March 24, so start to finish an amazing 7 day turn around.
I am thinking that 1) by Friday they have cleared their mailbox from the week, Monday they start processing from the weekend. Not a scientific theory by any means (no one has yet discovered the "formula&quot but MAYBE
it is a matter of timing. My first attempt, which never awarded me anything but the auto-response was
THURSDAY February 9th. So maybe try on Friday March 31??????? Good luck! I hope ALL of us get to go!!!!! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you (not my eyes though, Mom always said they would stay that way......

dina4

Daisy,
I will try that! Why not? Nothing else seems to make sense or fall into any kind of pattern.
I resent my email on a Sunday afternoon. (perhaps their office is closed on Sundays and their mailbox fills up from all the weekend travel planners?)

The other problem might be that I only gave one day as an option. But my original query was on Dec. 29th for July 5th. They couldn't possibly have already been booked.

I'll keep you posted.
Thanks,
Dina

victoria_reynolds

The pattern seems to be that they start processing requests, NOT by the date of your email, but by the date of the tour. Currently about 2 months before the tour date. If you send a second email and it happens to be about 2 months before your requested date, it may seem to be the trigger that gets a reservation, but I'm betting it's just because you're now within the 2 month window. Also, keep in mind that they have some days when tours are NOT given as was posted previously. In the rare event that they lost the original request (there is no evidence that suggests they are haphazard about these), then the 2nd email was useful. I don't think the Scavi office is inefficient, they just have their own "system" which seems to work for them.

bluey

Here is the sequence of events to secure the Scavi reservation:
1. 13 Feb - Applied via e-mail. I gave anytime 20-25th April
2. 13 Feb - Received automated acknowledgement of e-mail.
3. 18 Mar. - Offered a date & time.
4. 21 Mar. - Sent Credit Card details via fax
5. 28 Mar. - Credit card debited
Details in CC Account - UFFICIO SCAVI CITTA DEL VAT 20.00 EUR

mauitammy

I applied for a mid-June tour in January. I still have not heard anything other than the automated response. Should I fax another request? Anyone have a tour date for June yet? Thanks.

dina4

Good question...

Any one actually have confirmed appts for
JUNE
or
JULY?

bluey

I suspect you will start to get replies about 4 - 6 weeks before your date. It appears they were up to April when I got my confirmation.

It is frustrating not knowing whether you are succesful or not, I certainly became anxious as the weeks passed.

I suggest continue with your research on any other tours you plan to book in advance, and be ready to lock them in when the Scavi comes through.

You have obviously given them plenty of lead time, and if you have offered sufficent dates all should be OK.
Good Luck

hipvirgochick

Okay - I'll add my details

Requested tour on 3/14 for 3 people at any time on 5/19.

Received reservation approval on 4/4 for a tour starting at 1:45pm on 5/19.

I'm happy!

Nena

Hi - I just received confirmation of my Scavi tour for June 22, 2006. I sent my email request on December 30, 2005 and never sent another email nor fax after that. We are very excited.

Neopolitan

I received my email confirmation today also -- for June 13. I requested it in early January. However, since requesting we changed our week in Rome, so now it is no longer good. I've requested a change to a week earlier. I have no idea how that may play out.