Hello,

Based on the great information on this forum I was able to get a reservation for the end of June for the Scavi tour during our first visit to Rome. There are 14 adults in our group. One member of our group has rather a bum knee and is claustrophic. She very much wants to do the tour, but is nervous & anxious about it.
Of course, I want everyone to enjoy it and don't want anyone uncomfortable. There are some old posts on this forum regarding this subject, but nothing too current. Hoping someone out there may provide some insight. Are you claustrophic & have you done the tour? Lots of stairs? Thanks very much for your comments.

I have some claustrophobia and I had no problem on the Scavi tour. If they can stand to be in an aircraft they can definitely handle the Scavi. The smell down there is a very strong musty odor though. It is dimly lit, but I had no claustrophobic feelings whatsoever.

There are not a lot of stairs that I recall.

I agree with mauitammy. We went on the Scavi this past Feb and I was quite worried because I'm a little claustrophobic but it was not a problem at all. It's well-lit and the overhead height is quite high--no stooping required. It is warm and humid though so dress lightly. And in terms of stairs and distance covered it really wasn't at all arduous.

I'm also somewhat claustophic, but made it through the Scavi tour. However, as has been said, it is hot and very humid. If I recall, there are couple of nooks where you would have to go IF, you wanted to see into another room or nook where an object is located. While she may not have a problem, she could contact her physician, explain the problem and he/she should give her a prescription for a "panic" pill to take 1/2 hour prior to the tour. Should also work for the catacombs and for heights, such as the dome of Saint Peters. Have a great trip....

I am claustrophobic too and had no problem at all doing the SCAVI tour four years ago. The tour will take you on a narrow, sort of cave-like route, but the ceilings are for the most part high. Have her be the last of the line so she won't feel confined by the people on the tour, this is something I often do and most of the time it works for me.

That being said, this year’s visit to the SCAVI was a completely different story. As soon as the guide closed the first door, I felt trapped and breathless. I think this had a lot to do with my trying to have an MRI taken some months ago; it was a complete disaster and exacerbated my sensitivity to enclosed spaces.

I was very disappointed I was not able to do the tour. I certainly will give it another try if I ever return to Rome. Please tell your friend to give it a try, it's worth it.

Thank you all for your replies!