I feel really stupid asking this, but what exactly IS a private tour? Is it just you and the tour guide or a group?

Yes..just your party and the guide.

There are lots of companies that have group tours that you can join - at a much lower cost - but with a fixed itinerary.

If you have a specific itinerary you want - or have your own group - or special needs - you can hire a private guide to go anywhere you want - but the cost is usually many times more (depending on how many people you're dividing costs among) and how long the tour is.

If you do not mind sharing your experience with another 6-8 people, contact/surf right onto the website of Rome Walks (google the site). They really do an excellent job and we very much enjoyed our tours with this outfit.

We did not do any organized tours in Florence, so no comment there.

Anna Roz

If you are looking for a private guide in Rome, I can recommend Francesca Caruso. Her prices are most reasonable and she is fluent in English and extremely well versed in the relevant history and sights of the city.
Since four of us shared her services, we paid (much) less per person than we would have had we taken a tour with Context Rome. It was well worth the price!

how do you contact Francesa Caruso?

I don't think it's a stupid question at all. Both our (virtuoso) travel agent and hotel in Granada said we were going on a private tour of the Alhambra in Granada. There were 120 people in the "private group" with four guides. I think it's a must to get clarification. Private verses exclusive verses what they can get away with that day with those particular marketing techniques...