Mamaw

So, My good friends are going to Rome for 3 days before a cruise with their teenager DD.

He called me today to ask if I thought 380.00 Euro's was a good price for a tour with Romecabs (who i highly recommend)Stefano from RC is taking him to the majors sites and of course charging extra for entry fee's Vatican,St. Peter's etc...

I think it's a decent price. He will pick them up at the Hotel take them out and about make a lunch stop as well for approx. 40 minutes and then drop them back off at the hotel around 3pm. I thought maybe if they took a 1/2 a day excursion and did the open bus tour to see what they might want to do on the 1/2 excursion.

What do you all think? I'm no expert on Rome like some of you all, and your advise would be so appreicated and put to good use.

I do believe this couple has paid some major bucks for the cruise and staying in Rome for 3 nights and 1 night before they depart for home is going to really cost too. I'd like to see them get the best for their money. They will be there in July which is high season and hotter than Dante's hell..

Thanks for always being there Fodor's people and I look forward to your advise to pass along to my friends.

Love, Theresa in Detroit.

ekscrunchy

I think that the equivalent of $600 USD for a "day tour" of Rome (and one that will end at 3pm, no less, and does not even include entrance to sights) is ridiculous.

But if they have the money it is not my business.

Christina

On the one hand, I tend to agree with ekscrunchy, but on the other, it could be compared to hiring a private limo for about 6 hours, as that is part of what you are getting. Is there some reason you need to have a car to get around Rome? I can see if someone has mobility problems, it would make sense. I haven't done it in Rome, but in Paris, and I know hiring private cars by the hour is expensive (to have your own driver, who takes you to stops, and waits, etc.), so that alone would probably be worth $75-100 an hour. In that context, it's not surprising, and if that's what they want, it could be worth it.

SeaUrchin

I think it is overpriced too. Two adults and a teen should be able to take a nice walking tour with a guide, such as those offered by enjoyrome.com. They even have tours of the Vatican and escorted tours in a van for much less than what you qouted

There is really no need to be driven around Rome and they can get a lunch at any restaurant.

Zerlina

If they're there for three days, I don't see why they need to do a six-hour tour in the first place. If they want an overview, they can get it for 16 Euro each with the Trambus Open 110.

And, frankly, I think success has gone to Stefano's head. That rate comes to 63.333333 Euro per hour for a driver who is just that: a driver. S/he's *not* a licensed tour guide. Some of the best, most highly reputed tour guides in Rome charge less than that per hour.

Kristina

I think that's really high for a car and driver.
It's one thing if they were going to be in the car for 6 hours, driving from one city to another. But if they are going to be sightseeing, how much of that time will they be out of the car and inside? If the point is just transportation, they can do that on their own. If they want a guide, they should hire a licensed one.

adrienne

If your friends are going to spend that amount of money they should book a Context Rome walk or two and get very knowledgeable guides. They can take a cab to the meeting points if they're uncertain about walking around Rome. Context charges 70 Euro per person for a 4 hour Vatican tour. I've taken the tour and it's fabulous.

The tours are groups of 6 people or they will quote you a price for a custom tour for your friends only.

http://www.contexttravel.com/rome/

ira

Hi M,

That's expensive.

LJ

My experience with teenage "D"s, no matter how 'Dear/Darling', they may be, would lead me to suggest that you should NOT pre-book highly expensive car tours where you are all locked in together for hours on end. This is prescription for disaster!

Far better to get a guide book, sturdy shoes and a more flexible approach.

nytraveler

I would never spend that money. They should buy a decent guide book, do some advance reading and just hop in cabs as they need them. I'm sure they'll spend no more than $50 or $60 for the day.

StCirq

That's an extremely high price for what amounts to a fancy cab drive around Rome. And stuck in a cab with a teenager for a day or half a day? I'd rather wipe my eyes with jalapeno peppers.

What's the objection to doing some research, getting a good guidebook, and doing it on their own? Rome's hardly a challenging city to get around - it's all walkable.

And if they feel the need to be ushered around, take one of the reputable tours often discussed here.

tuscanlifeedit

I had clients pay less than that for a driver and licensed guide, although they didn't have a full six hours. They had about 4.5 hours, which is as long as I would want to be with anyone I don't know.

Additionally, one of those clients has very serious mobility issues.

Mamaw

Just got home from a Detroit Pistons Game. WE WON! AND SO DID THE TIGERS....

Thanks so much for the help you all. I know how hard it is for first timers to head to Europe and try and make sense of Rome. It's so huge and overwhelming. Your helping out in such a fantastic way,

Theresa

Jed

So, Theresa - Thank you for the thank-you, but what will you advise them? Will you show them the responses that were posted here?

Mamaw

Hey Jed!

Yes and Yes. I already sent this page to my friend. All she has to do is sign up for and she'll be able to ask questions.

I don't think that's such a good deal with stefano. I love the guy and he was great with our family when we were in Rome. But we did all our tours on our own. I put all the stuff together myself (thanks to all my friends here on fodor's) and we had a blast. We did use stefano for a tour. I had my FIL/MIL with us and it worked out great to use stefano for a few hours so they didn't have to walk too much.

We used the hop off/hop on bus a few times and that was perfect to get our bearings of Rome. So I advise them and everyone to do that.