I received the following message form the Scavi office. It was an automatic reply however it looks like the last two sentences have changed since the last posting I read here two weeks ago. I'm a positive thinker does this mean I'll still have a chance of getting tickets? Also I wanted to book other tours for the week. Can I book for open dates since I may not know my Scavi tour dates until a much later date? Thank you

Regarding your request, the Office of the Excavations sends an automatic
answer to confirm the receipt of the message.

The Vatican Scavi, as you are aware, is one of the most sacred spots in the
world for Christians.

The Excavations Office receive many thousands of requests each year to visit
the excavations.



Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate all of these requests.



First, the nature of the necropolis is such that visits can be made only in
small groups.

Second, in order to care for the necropolis and tomb of St Peter, we
necessarily need to limit the amount of the visitors that visit each day
(only about 200 people each day).

Requests are also being processed and we will communicate the schedules of
the visitre as soon as possible when the visit is possible.

If you didn't receive a communication, we are sorry to not be able to fulfil
the desire to visit the excavations.

If, due to a cancellation, it is possible to accommodate you again, We will
be our pleasure to inform you of your reservation as soon as possible.

Hi, I had emailed for reservations for the Scavi about 4 months before we were to arrive in Rome and had received a similar automatic response from them (language was different). Just when I was beginning to lose hope, 2 weeks before we were due to arrive in Rome I got our confirmations. So definitely don't give up hope.

Since we got our reservations last minute, we had to cancel a through eternity tour of ancient rome that was booked on that day. They were very nice about it and didn't charge us any cancellation fees. So I would say go ahead and book with tour companies that have a good cancellation policy. You can maybe change the dates around for the other tours once your Scavi reservation comes through.

Thanks Sharon, we were thinking about Icon Tours and booking with Context Rome - the antiquities and the Ostica trip. We're traveling with teenage boys so we want to keep some of the schedule open.

Zydecoqueen, that is the automatic reply from the Vatican office. I received that reply a few hours after sending the initial request. Then about two weeks later, I received the reservation and reservation number, with instructions of how to pay - either by fax or by e-mail, with credit card. I paid by credit card on a fax and received the confirmation within hours.

I am positive it means you still have a chance!

By the way, another option is to request a different day - and that way you'll know for sure. I held off making other reservations until that one was firm.

Thanks Postal. I am scanning another thread on scavi tours as well. It looks like this is the standard response. I really don't want to miss the other sites of Rome! Thanks Again, Mary

Hi
I tried booking a scavi tour and got an email back saying the minimum age was 15 - I thought it was 11??

Has anyone brought a 12 year old?

I got my reservation from the ufficio scavi today and it said &quot;<b>Only those who those who are 15 years old or older will be admitted to the Excavations - no exceptions will be made.</b>&quot;

And it had it highlighted in bold like that.

Allison,
When is your reservation for? I am still waiting for mine in early July.

I just rechecked their website. It says:
&quot;Each group consists of about 12 people who must be at least 15 years old (exception will be made for children between 11-15 years old accompanied by a parent).&quot;

Our daughter is 13, and we were planning to take her! That is, if I ever get my reservation....

Perhaps they've changed their rules, and haven't updated their website???

Hi Dina, my reservation is for 3pm on May 12. I'm not sure that they process reservations much more than a month in advance. But who knows? The way they go about things is very mysterious... I made my request on March 19 and got my reservation response today. So I inquired about the tour a little less than two months before my date. I did, however, give them a two-week period of time to choose from and I am a group of one.

I think if I were you I would write to the ufficio scavi or even call them regarding their policy towards 11-15 year-olds. I was surprised to see that my email had a different policy stated than that of the website. But it doesn't affect me bacause I don't have any children.

Still haven't receive a confirmation on dates in early July for Scavi Tour. I sent the request March 19th. I hope to hear soon!

I heard today. (Had requested Dec.30th)
We had requested 4 tickets for July 5th--one for our 13 yr old. They only gave us 3 reservations.

Dina did you send a second email? I don't want tobother them but I don't know if I can even get email from them, our server might block the email. Maybe there's still a cahnce! I requested the 7th through the 11th. I can't wait to hear!

Yes, I did send a second reply in MArch, but my original reply was in Dec. I would go for it, but actually I would call if I were in your shoes!

ok, i tried... but no success.
this is the response I got about reconsideration for my 13 year old:

&quot;I’m sorry, but the last information about the new conditions of the visit was written in the message.
Best regards&quot;

Thanks Dina, I sent the email and received the general reply. I'm going to set my palm alarm and call tomorrow. SOrry tohear about your ticket situation for your daughter. How disappointing.