My husband and I (late 20s) will go to Rome for the first time for 5 days in April.

We're torn between going on a self-guided tour (which would involve a lot of research and advanced reading on our part because we are not really history buffs) or joining guided tours.

We have got some free applications on itunes on Rome City Walks (walks of gardens, historical site, fountains, religious sites, museums). But we're thinking we may still miss a lot relying an a mere ipod application for our tour. We'd like to see and the same time know exactly what we are seeing.

Perhaps on some days we can go on our own, but maybe we can get guides on some days (some sites in particular).?

Moderate walking is no problem
No big touristy groups - we opt for small intimate groups
Worth the Euro to be paid

Any suggestions?

Look at Context Tours. They do small group tours and have excellent Docents who know their stuff. We took three such tours last year and were very pleased. Find them here:http://www.contexttravel.com/city/Rome

We LOVED or guide...it was "Angel Tours" and they did an awesome job....we used one for The Vatican (which was just unbelievably helpful & added SO much to the experience) and we used them also for the Colliseum/forum area...added soooo much.

We are not "tour" people, but unless you are really up on your Roman history, I think it is so valuable....I'd have to say at least for The Vatican...particularly because it is SOOOO huge, you really have to pick & choose what you see & know how to bypass the crowds.

The Tour Groups were not that big...I think the colliseum tour was our family of 4 & that's it....the Vatican was maybe ten people and that was absolute peak summer travel....with the lines wrapped around the Vatican and the tour guide waits in line for you & you can go to a cafe & she/he calls you when getting close....which is really nice in 90 degree temps & blazing sun! I think the Vatican tour cost around 50E & the other tour a bit less....

I think walking tours would be great for the "rest" of Rome....

We used a guide to go through the Forum and around the Coliseum and I cannot tell you how valuable it was. I am not a history buff by any stretch of the imagination, so she really made the area come alive and helped us see not only which buildings were which, but how the city "worked" back then. We then used Katie Parla as our guide for the Vatican and St. Peters and the Pantheon. Katie was formerly with Context and now has her own company. Again, it really made all of the difference - she explained the museum and the major works, giving a history lesson behind the important pieces, guiding us through the museum and around the tour groups (which was not easy). I really came to understand and appreciate what I was seeing, instead of wandering through the museum aimlessly reading my book ... which is my usual m.o.!

I have used Francesca Caruso for three private tours over the past 5 years. She is fabulous and I recommend her highly.

I had been to the Rome more than a dozen times before I found Francesca and she showed it to me in a whole new light. She charges 50E per hour and for us, it was worth every penny.

Another fan of Context, especially for Palentine, Forum. We have self toured Rome in the past with small one guided tour mixed in. Don't be afraid to self-tour, you do not have to know the history of every site, or even see every site to appreciate Rome. Also don't worry about missing sites--don't be concerned about what other people think you should see. Just enjoy the city!!!

The only site where I believe a tour guide is a big plus for the first time visitor is the Forum and Palentine Hill area. All the rest can be done with a little self research, buying and reading a brochure on site or renting an audio guide. Make up a rough schedule of your own walking tours and as SAB says, just enjoy the city.

We do tours only where required - as in the Vatican tours (gardens or Sacvi). We have found that the large tours are least common denominator and usually boring/sometimes inaccurate. There are smaller group tours which can be better (we heard part of one in San Clemente - a group fo about 12 - and the guide was both interesting and t truly erudite. But, they are big $ - and I've also overheard some that were mediocre at best.

If money is not an object and you have a reco for a good personal guide I would do it - otherwise not. But I would not sacrifice nice meals and a decent hotel to put all of your money towards guides.

Caveat: My degree is in european history - and even though I've been out of school a long time knew (or conveyed to my companions more than the guides were). I'm not claiming to know more than a trained guide - but they have a habit of assuming tourists are in middle school and spend a lot of time on silly jokes and things anybody knows (Rome was ruled by Emperors - um, no - not for the first 700+ years.)

thank you all! have looked at context tours and will probably book one tour with them for the entire trip (most likely the Vatican Tour). Then we'll go DIY for the rest. Wish us luck!

Jean claire, I was in Rome about 12 years ago and we took day tours with American Express, located near the base of the Spanish Steps. Our guide was an aristocratic older gentleman, I think a retired professor. He had no corny jokes - I know they can be annoying. We were very satisfied with the three excursions we took. Not sure about what they offer now....

I was also very pleased with Context - I surprised my mom with tix to one of their Underground Rome tours and it was excellent. For DIY touring, DK Eyewitness Travel has quite a good Rome guidebook, which was recommended to me on this forum. Lots of photos, informative schematics of the historic sites, suggested walks, and good maps.

While generally not a fan of Rick Steves, he does a reasonable pod cast of The Forum and the Colosseum. They are free to download.

I agree with LBev and nytraveler. I love Rome (will also be there in April) but not tours.

Have a great trip.

Oops, I didn't realise that my husband had logged in and replied as him - philsmith5. I don't think I've done that before!

If I was touring the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel I would definitely hire a private guide without hesitation...to avoid the LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG line...did i mention the Long line? anyway..and also to take you around to see what really is important and worth seeing. The Vatican has one of the most vast collections in the world and one could spend a week in there...can we say museum overload?
A private guide is worth every euro....
I have used Sonia Tavoleta who is superb!

russwuf,
nice one! yes, booking vatican tour now.

Sonia Tavoleta is from where? how do i contact?

Putting in a plug for Daniella Hunt at www.rome-tours.com.
We took a delightful tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum with her. We did our Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica tour with Context Rome and enjoyed that, as well.

Another vote here for Context Rome. We did a Vatican Museums tour we absolutely loved, with Hillary. Awesome.

We leave in a few weeks and this time, opted to go with a highly-recommended (on this board) private guide for the Palatine and Forum, Francesca Caruso. Very happy she had a day free for us!

Also did some of the Rick Steves free downloads and they are pretty good for overviews of sites. You could use those, too.

Have fun. You will love Rome!

bookmarking