I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the things to do in Rome. I am traveling on a budget so, a "private" tour is out of the question. Is there a group tour that will take me through the Vatican, Coliseum and some sort of history walk for a very low fare? I wouldn't mind joing a group of people intersted in the same. How do I make this arrangement? Thank you.

-<BR>Two recommended day tour companies are "Scala Reale" and "Enjoy Rome". <BR> ~ http://www.scalereale.org<BR> ~ http://www.enjoyrome.com<BR><BR>

Richard,<BR>Please search the threads here for "rome tours" and you will see this has been discussed alot. There are several companies, such as enjoyrome.com and odyssey-tours.com that offer lower-cost group walking tours for 19-35 euros per person. Scala Reale is supposed to be great, but more expensive than the other two (40-50 euros), so it depends on how much you want to spend. There are several tours of the Vatican, and Colosseum/Forum area, as well as Piazza Navona/Trevi Fountain area.

Actually, if you are lucky, you may run into American students giving free tours at the Roman Forum. You can take the Scavi Tour to see the excavations underneath St. Peters. It is quite inexpensive. That is about the extent of my inexpensive Rome "tour" knowledge, but I am sure others will fill you in on more options.

The American Express office on Piazza di Spagna gives very reasonable tours, about 35 Euros. They do the Vatican Museum & St. Peter's as one tour, & The Forum & Colosseum, etc. as another. Ask Mario to book you onto a tour with Giancarlo, though, he's very knowledgeable.<BR><BR>Also the students of the North American College on via dell'Umilita do afternoon tours of St.Peter's as part of their apostulancy. They're either free, or a small donation is accepted on behalf of the North American College.<BR><BR>Buon Viaggio,<BR>BC