Rome/Vatican: Papal Audience and Scavi Tour
 

We will be in Rome for one week in March 2006. We plan to attend the Papal Audience on Wednesday at 10:30 AM, then go on the Scavi Tour in the afternoon. I read (on this site, of course!) that the audience should be over by noon.

At what times are Scavi Tours offered in English?

When we apply for tickets for the tour, do we request a specific time? Or do we make a generalized request (such as: afternoon, or after 2:00 PM)?

Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

Woody

I don't know if there is a list of when the English-speaking tours take place, but I do know you will have a better chance of getting a reservation the more choices you give them, so specify after a certain time (whatever time you're sure you'll be ready). It even helps, if possible, to give them more than one day to choose from, although of course it would be more convenient for you to do it right after the Papal Audience. It's a great tour, hope you enjoy it.

Woody
We were there in Sept. and our Scavi Tour (English) was at 3:00. We arrived around noon and the papal audience was just letting out. They have specific times for the English tours and they will schedule you. I think you may make a specific request, but it is not guaranteed. I would recommend faxing your request (we had trouble with e-mail). The website tells you the info they need, i.e., # in group, language, date range you'll be in Rome, etc. Good luck!!!

You realize, I hope, that in March, because the papal audiences are held indoors, you will need tickets.

The best way to get them is through the American church in Rome:

www.santasusanna.org

As the others have said, you have a better chance of being able to participate in a Scavi tour if you give them as wide a range of dates as possible.

We e-mailed our info, but were wondering whether we will be hearing back from them or not. Maybe faxing would be better. How do you know whether you made it on the tour or not?

I gave the Scavi office a wide range of dates, but I also specified that I was attending the papal audience on Wednesday. They gave me a ticket for Wednesday afternoon, either coincidentally or on purpose.

Many thanks to all of you for the good advice.

The reason we want to go on the Scavi Tour on Wednesday is that some friends are flying into Rome to see us, and Wednesday is our only full day together. They have been to Rome before, but have not taken the tour. I thought it would be a memorable experience.

Any other tips? I thank you in advance.

Woody

The only other tip is to email your request NOW! The sooner, the better. It took ten days for me to receive the automated response and an additional eight or nine weeks to get my confirmation.

Thank you again for the advice, especially to send our request NOW.

So, first thing this morning, I sent our request by fax (as suggested).

Woody

Today I received our confirmation for the Scavi Tour in March 2006. I sent the request by fax on December 6, and the confirmation arrived 23 days later.

I mentioned that we are attending the Papal Audience, and asked for a time after that. Our reservation is at 1:45 pm, which is perfect for us.

A BIG thank you to those who gave the helpful advice.

Woody

Did I miss the e-mail address and/or fax number to request the scavi tour? I would really appreciate it if someone could supply either or both! Thanks!

Here you are: both the e-mail address and the fax number are on this page:

http://tinyurl.com/2yb63

(P.S. Don't I know you under another name on another board?)

I'm Podie on Slowtrav. I figured that was you, Eloise! Different e-mail addresses when I registered on each board so that's the reason my screen names are different!