Prep for Scavi Tour/ Energy wise
 

Thrilled to report that after 3 days I have the great news that my pal and I will be able to go on the Scavi tour Nov 30. My friend is just getting over Ca therapy and has limited energy. Thus my question is do you have any hints to prepare and make the getting into and out of the area...just anything that you wise travelers have learned from experience.
23 sleeps till we go, 25 sleeps until Scavi...but who's counting???

The Scavi tour isn't very strenuous. Just some steps up and down at the start and finish and a step or two inside the excavations. Lot of standing around listening to the guide. Take a cab or bus to St. Peter's Square and time your arrival at the Square for no more than 30 minutes before your tour. You need to show up at the Scavi Office 15 to 20 minutes before the tour starts. 30 minutes will give you time to walk across the vast Piazza to the office.

Be aware that the whole Scavi site is temperature-controlled - and the temperature is set to hot and humid.

My only observation is that at some points there were not a lot of places to sit down.

If your friend thinks that might be an issue, i don't think there would be a problem with taking a little fold up chair- i'm thinking the ones that are round and small and fold into themselves.

I wouldn't be sure about that, because it seems the Scavi staff are zealous about removing any luggage from people, even including purses in some instances. When I went on the tour, all of the other people had been required to give up their purses. Because mine was hidden under my jacket, I was not.

Oh me, after many trips to Rome, I was thinking about finally taking the Scavi tour in May. BUT I am a bit claustrophobic and I totally despise heat and humidity. Maybe this should be a pass for me?

I am interested, and hate to sound like such a woos, but if it is very hot and humid, I actually get sick.

So, is it really hot and humid? Would a person who perspires heavily and easily sweat in there? My head gets so wet, and then I really feel horrible...

It isn't like this all the time throughout the tour, but you know a tropical room in an aquarium? It can be sort of like that in the Scavi tour.

My husband and I did the Scavi Tour the end of September. I would not say it is strenuous at all. It is very "close" and humid. That being said, it was the highlight of our trip to Rome. If you care claustrophobic and cannot tolerate humidity--this is not for you!

In response to Zerlina's remarks (which were helpful for me because I am going on the tour Nov 23) Can you check your coat before you begin the tour?

Thank you.

I did this tour on Tuesday and it should be noted that there's _no where_ to sit down once you get inside. You can't lean on walls, columns, etc. So I would be prepared not only to not sit, but not lean either.

It was pretty humid in there (about 65 outside, so maybe it being cooler in Nov will help) but not for the whole thing, it comes and goes depending on how deep down you go.

The Vatican does not "set" the temperature to be hot and humid, they in fact run dehumidifiers a few times a day to make it drier. That's what the guide told us.

dpranck...I know there's a bag check, but not sure if they take coats as well. But it is on the other side of the Vatican from the Scavi entrance, from what I could tell.

hi, gentlemagician [love the name, BTW]

not sure what I'd decide about the scavi tour if I were you. the advantage is that as I understand it, it brings you up in the middle of Sst. Peter's so there's no need to queue to get through security again.

what you ought to know is that the vatican museums, which you might be considering as an alternative, IS very strenuous. I was the most tired I have ever been in my life after we had spent 5 hours in the museums and st. peter's.

is there any schance that you would be able to get to rome another time? - if so, I think I'd postpone the scavi til then. it'll still be there! or could you do it by yourself?

regards, ann

amb...thank you. All the information has helped me get a better idea of what to expect. At least I know to dress lightly.

Despite the humidity and no place to sit, I am sure the experience was worth it. I am counting the days, our tour is scheduled for Nov 23rd at 145PM.

annhig is correct...the Scavi tour ends right next to Pope John Paul II's tomb (so you can see that right there without queueing), and when you go up the stairs and outside, you are on the front steps of St. Peter's (already past the metal detectors) so you can just go right in if you wish.

Enjoy your trip, it is a fascinating tour.

A couple of thoughts - there may not be anywhere to sit or lean, per se, but there are steps and maybe your friend could just sit on one of them to take a short breather. (If it's ok to put your foot there, shouldn't it be ok to put a different body part?) Plus, if you explain the situtaion to the guide he should be able to help point out suitable resting places.

Also, I would question earlier advice to time your arrival only 30 minutes before your tour. You do have to go through the security lines at St. Peters to get to the excavations office. If you are unlucky enough to get there at the same time as several large tour groups (such as from a cruise ship), 30 minutes may not be enough time. We just barely got the the office on time, and we gave ourselves 40 minutes.

When we last did the Scavi Tour there was no security line to get to the Scavi Office. We simply showed the Swiss Guard standing at the gate on the left side of the Basilica (as you face it) our Scavi reservation and he sent us through.

and perhaps not your first option but I did see several people utilizing wheel chairs while they were there.

Just a thought.

I did the Scavi tour 1 1/2 years ago, so maybe my experience is out of date, but I didn't find the inside to be hot or humid at all. Where I work we keep the temp "cool enough to hang meat"--at least that's what some people i work with say! I hate heat and humidity,but I didn't find the Scavi to be so. I visited in late June, so maybe compared to the outside temp, it wasn't uncomfortable. If your friend is up to the amount of energy it takes to go to a city like Rome for a vacation, in my opinion this tour should be no problem. It was really one of my all time favorite tours. Have a great vacation! pp

I went in June and didn't find it hot or humid.

Although the tour itself isn't strenuous, as others have said, the Vatican generally is a very big place. The tip to get a taxi to the entrance to St Peter's Square is a good one - just the walk up the road from the river is quite long. But then bear in mind you have to cross the square (actually round) in front of the basilica - or go round the periphery if the middle is set up for a special occasion - and it's a *big* square. Then go through security, then walk to the cloakroom down the right hand side of the basilica, as you look at it, to leave your bags. Then cross in front of the basilica to go down the left hand side of the basilica, as you look at it, to get to the excavations office. Especially with someone who may be walking slowly, I would not arrive any *less* than half an hour before your slot.

And I agree with the poster who said don't consider the Vatican museums this time - very extensive indeed, and quite a long walk from St Peter's square round the outside of the Vatican walls even to get to the entrance.

So is there a sign or something by the left gate to the Scavi office telling people to go around through security on the right? The vatican website still gives the directions that applied when I visited, saying go to the Holy Office Gate on Via Paolo VI and the left colonnade and see the Swiss Guard.

Grinisa, if you head toward the left side of the basilica itself (where the restrooms and post office are, continue to walk straight past those) you will see a gate where there are two Swiss Guards standing. Just approach the gate, say "Scusi signor" and they'll come over to you. Show your email and they let you through.

You DO NOT have to go through any security like you would to enter the basilica (which I felt to be a big loophole in their security system, but who am I to say). I approached the guard about 15 mins before my tour time and went right in to pick up the tickets.