ParadiseLost

Exactly what Luv2travel said .

Also if you don't get in the 9:15 tour you must leave the same way you entered and if you do score a later reservation you must leave and return later. Regards, Walter

returntoyourseat

Just got my second regrets for the Vatican tour, I tried different day. I guess we will try your advice on the day of. Could kick myself for waiting so long.

deedeedee

What is the most current web site to book Scavi tours ? Thanks ...

kybourbon

The entry process has changed since ParadiseLost and Luv2travel15 took the tour (changed in 2011). I'm not so sure it will be as easy to get back to the Scavi office. It won't be as simple as asking the Swiss Guard to allow you to go back. There are now security screeners with scanners. You would have to get their permission first (and be screened) and then you would get to the Swiss Guard. It's not possible to just walk up to the Swiss Guard anymore as the area is blocked off.

denisea

[email protected] is the email address to send a tour request to.

The website is below...take a look at it for instructions:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/in...090216_en.html

deedeedee

denisea ....Thanks for the info. We will be in Rome on Easter & it looks like
the tours are closed at that time.. Oh well, next time.

Luv2travel15

kybourbon, thanks for the info on the updates to Scavi Tours and security. Makes sense in this crazy world. It was a lot simpler a few years ago when we went.

funnybug123

The guided tour basically ended at the tomb of the popes and you were free to roam from that point onwards. It was an amazing tour. I would like to mention that when you see St. peters bones, you're supposed to say a small prayer. I'm not very religious so it came as a bit of a surprise... Mumbling is also a bit obvious when your group is really small.

annhig

I would like to mention that when you see St. peters bones, you're supposed to say a small prayer. >>

I missed that, funnybug. if others were praying, it passed me by.

illnative

There is no compulsary prayer. We are protestants and certainly didn't feel any need to pray to a dead person's bones. However, we were respectful of those that did feel that need - and waited quietly while others took a moment...

funnybug123

@annhig hmm, our prayer was led by our tour guide and it was all said in unison (apart from me). but then, our tour guide was quite arrogant. he told me, and I quote: "you may hold my binder for me". i never asked to hold his binder for him...

annhig

lol funnybug, i think that the guides are very variable. before we went, we were warned that the english of some isn't very easy to understand, and that was certainly our experience, though we managed to follow most of it.

OTOH there was no arrogance or group prayer.

illnative

Wow - what a guide! I would not have been happy with that "forced" prayer. Our guide was actually an American priest working at the Vatican - so we also didn't have issues with understanding him.

funnybug123

I was even more surprised that everyone else seemed to know exactly what to say. I was tempted to go "Amen sistah!" at the end, but I don't think they would've appreciated that.
At least you all had wonderful tour guides Mine looked like putin and spoke with a heavy russian accent.

willowjane

I can't wait to read your trip report!

denisea

A related question....is a copy of your passport acceptable for ID for entry at the Scavi tour? I do not carry my passport around for ID and would be OK carrying my driver's license (photo) but really think it is a bad idea to run around Rome with my passport.

Any experiences out there on this?

kybourbon

I usually carry my DL as it's accepted when renting audio guides (a copy of a passport is not).

denisea

OK...I can replace that much more easily should anything happen. Thanks for the advice....just what I needed to know. Many thanks, as always!