I'll be in Rome by myself in a couple of weeks, and will have a couple of days to explore. I'm mostly interested in the historic sites around the Palatine, and Vatican City. The Rick Steves book on Rome lists a few walking tour sponsors, whose web sites I have checked, but I wonder if I would be better off on my own. I'm a 40+ female who is comfortable on my own, but when exploring historic areas, like to hear a narrative that puts the sights in context. Any thoughts from the Roma veterans?

Two tour companies frequently mentioned on this site are Scala Reale (www.scalareale.org) and Enjoy Rome (www.enjoyrome.com). I have taken walking tours with Enjoy Rome at the Vatican and at the ancient Roman sites, and I really enjoyed them. They are less expensive (and shorter by one hour) than the tours offered by Scala Reale.

If you are mainly interested in the Palatine, however, the Enjoy Rome tour does not go there. They walk around the outside of the Colosseum, go through the Forum, and then go to the Capitoline, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Piazza Navona. I believe the Scala Reale tour does go to both the Forum and the Palatine, as well as inside the Colosseum.

As to whether you are better off on your own, I can only say that going on the walking tours added greatly to my understanding and enjoyment of the ancient sites as well as of the Vatican.

I just returned from Rome last week and was so happy about my decision to book a private tour with Paul Bennett, the owner of Context Rome. He was so informative and fun. He showed us all around the Forum, Colliseum, Capitoline Hill, Palentine Hill and would probably go anywhere you wanted. He is a young, American born, architect with a Masters in Art History. He really was amazing. It made all the difference for us in our trip. If you want to contact him for a group or private tour, he can be reached at the website of Contextrome.com

I'm one of the Scala Reale fans, but that's not to say that other tour providers aren't good.

Scala Reale employs scholars who are also personable and entertaining. They keep their groups to six or fewer.
The Antica Roma tour includes the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine. the 4 hours just flew by. If you sign up for a tour they will throw in a 2 hour Orientation stroll or hike. Do the hike, it's not difficult, just stays on the move. It will also include a few sights you would have wanted to see anyway. I traveled to Rome the first time on my own,and Scala Reale was great. Their office stays open late, they send packets to your hotel to await your arrival, they even make restaurant suggestions.

Also a Scala Reale fan . I've posted a couple of things that might interest you about the Roman Forum.
In the "Text Search" at the top of the page type-in game boards click-on on "Italy" & "Find".
Also type-in julius caesar my post on that "Ides of March" walk will give you a link to the "Google" archives where it's posted.
It is 11 pages and far too long to post here. Unfortunately Google adds groups of ??? and bunches it all together so no paragraphs plus I have updated it since.
If it sounds like something you'd be interested in e-mail me and I'll send you a better and easier to read version. Just put Rome in the topic of the e-mail so I don't trash it with all the spam I've been getting. Regards, Walter

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd looked at the Scala Reale site, and was concerned because it seemed to indicate that I couldn't book this close to the time I'll be there, and it seemed a bit pretentious. But obviously it has some fans, so may be worth a second look.