I am traveling to Italy this summer and would like to know if it is recommended to take a guided tour of the Vatican etc. or go myself? If you think a tour would be better can you recommend a tour company for both Rome and Pompeii?

Can't advise on the Vatican tour as I've never been... but next time you post a question, use a more decriptive title for your thread... like "Vatican tours recommended?" in this case - you'll get way more response. There's been quite a bit of frustration with vague titles so sometimes they get ignored.
Good luck!

Precisely - if someone thought you were asking abut the city of Tours - in France - they would have no clue you were interested in the Vatican.

I frequently recommend Context Rome (formerly called Scala Reale) for its top notch tours with engaging ,brainy docents. If you search this board for Scala Reale,you will find many threads about them.

Racingisfun;

Tours are great and offer indept information while you are visiting the site. Although, I prefer to go at my own pace and the Vatican is a place where this is easily done. If you decide to go it alone, I recommend you visit a book store or library and read up on the Vatican before you get there, have a great time!

Clea

Brining your message back up "to the top" since it is your first post here ever...

And how didI know that? Click on your own name - - this, is, by the way, the easiest way to re-locate your own prior posts here.

Best wishes,

Rex