i finally got a response saying that my tour is 1:30p on Sept 10, 2005. But i asked for after 2pm. We arrive at FCO airport at 12pm, no luggage, just carry-on bags. Do you think we can make it to the vatican by 1:30???

i guess we also have to drop off our luggage t the hotel near termini, or can we just check it in at the vatican?? i hate being rushed!!

You cannot pick the time of your Scavi tour because they only run a couple of times a day. I can't see you making the tour even if you took a taxi directly to the Vatican.

There is a luggage office : in fact it is compulsory to check in everything, right down to ladies' handbags, before taking the tour. I'd have thought it might be possible if you get a taxi straight there, but I don't know what immigration is like for non-EU citizens. Not an ultra-busy time of day for it, I'd have thought - I get the impression transatlantic flights mostly arrive very early in the morning ?

(Oops - I am making the assumption you are American - just because most people here are.)

that okay =o)...i am american but we have a stopover in france, i do customs there, right?

We've flown into FCO several times and had absolutely no problems with customs or waits and got through the airport fairly quickly. Of course, we have always been there during off-peak months so that could explain why. That being said, the airport is a decent distance from the city. Even if you catch a taxi, I'm not sure if you would be able to make it in time. However, I think its worth purchasing the reservations and at least trying to make it...the tour is definitely worth it.

Good luck!
Tracy

Not sure, sorry. But even when I've got a flight to Rome from Paris, Frankfurt, etc, I've still had to go through immigration in Rome - just a quick look at the passport - and I think there are separate queues for EU/non EU.

Anyway, do you have a choice ? Just go for it !