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- - Scavi Tour (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/scavi-tour-132289/)

About a week ago, I sent an e-mail to the address in the twenj.com link to try to get reservations for the Scavi Tours for the end of September. I haven't heard anything back. Could someone tell me if there is a different way I should go about this, or does it just take a while to hear back? Thanks ...

I believe I got my Scavi e-mail address from the same site you did. It seems to me that I heard back from Scavi fairly quickly though. Maybe try it again if you haven't heard in a couple more days. Good luck.

When I sent my request they sent a REPLY that they received it right away,but it took a few weeks for them to tell me if I was able to get reservations---I was able to get 4 for September.

Sherryl, I too started to get anxious regarding a lack of response (a bit impatient I was). I just check my email records and I sent my request on 6/5 and received my response on 6/20, 2 weeks later (just as I had given up). I did send it to uff.scavi. I did receive an automatic response confirmation that they did receive my request, did you get this?

PS Sherryl, My requested date was for the 3rd week in September (FYI).

Last year we took the Scavi tour and paid for reservations in advance with a check. When we arrived they had a record of our reservation but not payment. We ended up paying twice. I must be a minority of one but I thought the tour was a bit long and claustrophobic.

that's ok John, always good to hear about the other viewpoint I emailed quite a while ago for a Sept 2001 Scavi tour and I sent my $8 check by snail mail to the Scavi office as instructed. I have emailed them 3 times in the past month just to confirm that they received my payment, no response. Check not cashed yet.

The Officio Scavi is not particularly user friendly. They are not in the business of making money. Rather they consider that they are doing you a favor. A Bishop oversees the Officio Scavi. He must approve all tour requests. He can do anything he wants. When he wants. For best results, it is wise to follow their rules. When you send in your(politely worded with reasons you want to visit) request, you should get a "compuer generated" response telling you that your request has been approved. If you don't get this, maybe your e-mail didn't go through. You should tell them which days you will be in Rome and ask for any available slot during that time. If you are approved they will send you a confirmation with a confirmation number and instructions. This may take a few days to???. You then have to send them a check. "A few days" before the tour you have to confirm with the Officio Scavi either in person or by phone that your check was recieved( 0800-1700 office hours). There is a rather grumpy man in the office who has a log book that he checks to confirm. Sending an e-mail to ask about your check is a total waste of time. I don't think he even has a computer or would know how to use one. When you arrive for your tour go to the right of the enterence of St. Peters Basilica and check in your bags, purses etc.(free). You cannot bring with you your camera or anything else that could damage the site. Then go to the left of the basilica and tell the Swiss Guards(they speak several languages including English) you want to go to the Officio Scavi. They will give you directions and let you through.(onlookers will think you must have some pull). You then go to the Officio Scavi and talk to the grumpy man and wait for your tour. I found this all a good experience and worth doing. Good Luck, Gerry

Should read computer generated respose telling you that your request has been "recieved". Not "approved". Sorry, Gerry

Gerry Could you tell me if the place you leave your purse is in a locked box for just you or do they just put them a a shelve. thanks

Cheryl: They put it on a shelf and give you a metal claim chip with your number on it. There are several attendants present at all times to watch over things. I wouldn't suggest leaving real valuable things like jewelry of cash. That's why you have your money belt. These things don't belong in a purse anyway. Like everywhere else in Italy, rules are not uniformly enforced. They will probably overlook small things(purse etc.) that you have with you. But, why worry about the issue when you can easily satisfy the rules? We had a great time in Rome and I'm sure will to. Enjoy! Gerry

Sherryl, Hope you get in for the tour. One last piece of advice for the tour. Men -- do not wear shorts. Women -- dress as if your were going into a church. If not, they will turn you away. We saw it happen several weeks ago. Bob

I don't know much about the Scavi tour and in reading all the responses, I had to wonder if it's really worth all the trouble!? We'll be in Rome in October and would love to hear from people who have taken the tour.

Thanks everyone ... I had not received the computer generated response, so I sent a new email. Have received it now, so I will practice my patience and hope for the reservation to come through. Wish me luck! Will keep you posted ...

Please excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is a Scavi tour?? Thanks.

Not a "must see" but definately worth the trouble if it fits your interests. For lots more info and description of the tour, I suggest you do a search for previous posts on this. Just try putting "Scavi", "Scavi tour" etc. in the search box on top. The search function has been working pretty good lately. Or maybe some more recent travelers will post here. Gerry

It's also known as the "Vatican Necropolis."