Hi Starrs - yes, I'm with you. I'm generally not a Tour person either but it may make sense for us in Rome since our time in Rome is so short and there's so much we'll want to see. Initially, I was wondering about the Colosseum/Forum, in particular. Maybe something like this: https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-to...um-night-tour/. My husband really likes architecture so I thought he might like seeing the Colosseum and I was thinking the night time tour might be a unique way to see it - BUT, I may be wrong (lol), maybe it's better during the day (that's how I saw it but it's been so long ago it's hard for me to know if daytime/nighttime would be more interesting).

And then, as I was looking around I ran into another one that might be worth considering: (https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-to...in-a-day-tour/) with my thought process being, we'd have 2 full days, in addition to this all day tour, to free form it and see things we didn't see in the tour or to revisit something in the tour.

Thanks for taking the time to respond back. Your input has been very helpful and much appreciated. Especially re-teaching me the "search" function :)

Shelley

bvlenci - Your note back is extremely helpful and I'll be sure to look up Daniela for a private tour of the Forum/Palatine Hill to see what she offers. I agree with you that the history of both are incredibly significant and my one and only experience is exactly what you predicted: a swift run through of both.

I'm also of the mindset that doing "your homework" prior to visiting a site, is prudent and I've got several guide books from my last visit(s) and also new ones that I ordered a month or so ago. I've been reading thru them already and will also fill the airplane time by reading more. Where ever we visit, I usually get at least 2 or 3 guidebooks. I'm actually one who loves reading travel guide books. My husband, on the other hand, does not. He relies on me to plan the trip and he's just along for the ride, so to speak. Not necessarily an optimal plan for him, I know, but it works for us. It means I get to pick the places we visit and plan how our time is spent :)

Hi Melanie O,

Thanks for the note. Agree the Vatican, etc... is very interesting; I'm looking forward to a 2nd visit since the first one was so very long ago and I'm certain I'll see new things this time around, that I missed so many years ago.

Shelley

I took the night time tour of the Colosseum in September and was underwhelmed. The lights you see in the arches at night from the outside do not penetrate inside. It was quite dark, to the extent that you really had to watch where you were walking and couldn't see that much.

Hey SusanP - Thank you. That is exactly what I was looking for; someone's candid opinion of the tour vs. just relying on all of the rave reviews on the tour's website that may not accurately reflect the quality of the experience.. I very much appreciate your note. I think we'll take your advice and skip the evening tour.

Shelley

Glad to help. To be honest, I can't see why anyone would give it a rave review!

I've been to the Vatican Museums four or five times, but only once for the evening visit. The lighting didn't seem much different from the day visits. Due to the nature of the building, it doesn't get a lot of natural light even in the day time.

Oh, my mistake. Sorry, I've never been there at night.