Under St Peters Basilica
 

Is this tour really worth it? I've only got one day in the city and plan on touring other places as well.. (i've already gotten great routes by other fodorites, thanks)I would have a reservation for it in the afternoon around 2:15..... I need opinions on this tour!!

if you go there..take a tour..because so much of the history is lost otherwise..we did not and think that we missed quite a bit.

Yes, it is a great tour, but it takes anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours which is a lot of time if you only have a day in Rome. I remember from your other post that you are planning to see the Basilica and Vatican Museums on this day too. That's a lot of Vatican for one day, especially considering you need to see all the other highlights of Rome before evening. Save the Scavi for another time.

How did you manage to view the Scavi withhout a tour? The groups are limited to 15 people and must be accompanied at all times by a guide. Reservations usually have to be made well in advance.

We took the tour under St. Peter's and although interesting, I don't think any of us considered it a 'don't miss' kind of thing.

If I had one day and wanted to see Rome, I would likely visit St. Peter's, the Vatican museum and Sistene Chapel and likely the colosseum and nearby, the forum.

You can hook up a tour through www.romanodyssey.com.

Can you take pictures on this Scavi tour?

I would recommend this tour...it was very interesting. Plus it is only an hour long tour so it won't take up much time.

Unless they have closed off a portion of the excavations or if you have a guide who is rushing through it, the Scavi Tour takes more than hour--closer to two hours like I said before. Photographs weren't allowed three years ago.

Take the tour to the roof. They have vending machines and post cards...they did in '79 anyway.

Would the ticket for the Scavi tour allow us into the Vatican Museum and the churches? Or is that a separate ticket?

The tour is one price, the Vatican museum is another and the basilica is free. If you go up to the roof or cupola, there is a charge for that (an elevator takes you to the base of the church dome).

My wife made arrangements in advance for the tour, but I don't recall the details, sorry.

Grinisa: They've closed-off the "Graffiti Wall" section, probably permanently.
I missed seeing that section in '99 when my tour was cancelled due to structural problems around that time.
I took the tour in '01 & '03 minus that section and it's only ~1hr now:(. Regards, Walter

So if i am going in July, i can expect only a 1 hour tour? Is there a site or number i can call to confirm this by chance?

That's too bad about the Graffiti wall section being closed. I guess your tour could be an hour or so; I think it depends upon the guide, because a friend of mine went on the tour last summer and it was still 90 minutes.

I think some people are confusing the Scavi tour with the tombs of the Popes under St. Peter's. The Scavi requires reservations , takes about 1 1/2 hrs. and is fantastic! The tombs are open to anyone at anytime the church is open.

I did the Scavi tour this past April and it is ONE hour with only 10 people. I would highly recommend this tour but bring a sweater as it is a little chilly down there. Have a great time!