We are going to Rome for the first time in September. Is it advisable to book a tour of the Vatican Museum? We are traveling with Tourcrafters and we have the option to tour with them for $39. Besides the papal audience and the scavi tour, what are other experiences we Must do while in Rome. The Colliseum?

You're asking very elementary questions about Rome. This typically leads to one of two responses here - - you get bashed or you get ignored. You got the kinder of the two treatments.<BR><BR>There is such a strong leaning towards independent travel on this forum that most responders here are not accustomed to giving advice to those taking tours, which sometimes translates to those who haven't done a lot of reading on their own. This includes me.<BR><BR>Without being judgmental, let me say that you really need a good guidebook about Rome. I actually recommend reading it - - or at least skimming it cover to cover. Your local public library has plenty; you don't have to buy one.<BR><BR>Absolutely the Vatican museum(s) should be considered a "must-see" and I would say that you don't need a guided tour, but they undoubtedly add a dmension to your visit there. The Sistine Chapel is the midpoint of the Vatican museum "normal" overiew walk-through tour.<BR><BR>All the other must-sees depend on how much you are on your own in Rome, and how much is Tourcrafters helping you to visit/see. Attending a papal audience IS special, but keep in mind that they are Wednesday mornings only; a bit time-consuming, and you might be there with 5000-10,000 other people. Kinda like seeing him at a football stadium. I would not have put the scavi tour in my top five or ten, but others will disagree. Colosseum - - YES (and an ad hoc guided tour here is a pretty good idea, in my opinion); Pantheon YES; Trevi Fountain YES; Piazza Navona (especially after dark) YES. But there are 25 other must-see choices also.<BR><BR>Until you get a book, go to www.twenj.net and read tons and tons of well-written informative web pages there. Created by a former Fodorite, the late Edward Gehrlein, and a labor of love. Still miss him here; hope he is never forgotten.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex Bickers<BR>Westerville, Ohio<BR>

I have to say that my family and I really, truly enjoyed seeing the Pope. I am only Catholic by (recent) association, and don't believe a lot of the things Catholics do about the Pope. But nonetheless, I thought it was a very moving experience, and at the very least, very interesting to be there, if only to see the devotion and adulation of the other attendees.<BR><BR>We visited the Vatican without a guide, but would have enjoyed one. If I'd had my way, I would have hired one of the many, many private guides available (sadly, I lost the vote on this one with my family). Rex has me pegged exactly - I, too, am not a fan of big group tours and would rather visit the Vatican on my own than in a group of 30 other tourists.<BR><BR>Agree with Rex that the tour at the Coliseum is worthwhile. They run an English one at set times every day, which your hotel will know.

The Vatican Museum has those audio devices for rent so that you can do it on your own without a guide.<BR>I agree with Rex for the most part (EXCEPT his exclusion of the papal audience and Scavi tour -- I'd be willing to bet he hasn't done the Scavi tour!), getting a tour book is a must. The Eyewitness travel guides are excellent -- I carried mine around with me all over Rome (ntm their other guides in other major European cities).<BR> Rex's other choices are sound; I'd add the Forum as a "must-see", and it's not too far from the the Coliseum (a DEFINITE must). Also the Spanish Steps...if you haven't seen it yet, DO rent "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn for other highlights of this magnificent city. <BR>

topping

You're right, I haven't done the Scavi tour; I visited the catacombs in Thessaloniki in 1969, and eventually I will get around to trying the Scavi tour. In my defense, I acknowledged that others might disagree with my not putting it in the top 5 or 10 must-sees.<BR><BR>We still need to hear from Susyn. Might be worthwhile to e-mail this to her. someone...<BR><BR>Probably another newbie who cannot find her own original post. the continuing problem of a search of 48 hours (or thereabouts) not always being useful.<BR>

Watch out for the Priets.