I have read about a tour called the Scavi tour...anyone know about it /how to book?
Thanks

The Scavi tour is not a tour of the Vatican; it's a tour of the excavations under St. Peter's Basiiica, with an ancient Roman cemetery and the probable tomb of St. Peter.

Go to www.vatican.va for details on how to book.

A video Scavi tour.
http://www.vatican.va/various/basili...i_english.html

From Santa Susanna:

SCAVI TOUR
The Excavations below St. Peter's (the Necropolis): This is the best tour in Rome and it only lasts about an hour, but you need reservations a good month or two in advance! (Don't wear shorts here either). Here are the rules: you have to be 14 years of age or older; you can't take pictures; you must be on time or forget it! To get reservations write to: [email protected]. Tell them you want the English tour, how many are in your party, and when you are available. The charge is around 10 Euro, which you can pay when you arrive at the Scavi Office. They'll send you back a confirmation email and a reservation time. The Scavi Office: when you are facing St. Peter's facade, go to the left side and you'll see two Swiss Guards and a small undercroft (tunnel). Tell them you want to go to the Scavi Office and they'll let you in and tell you where it is. Things may have changed with new security rules, but most of the Guards are friendly. Please know that some people are sent a response from the Scavi Office, but because of your SPAM filters, you never receive it. It is suggested that as soon as you arrive you personally visit the Scavi Office and see if you have a reservation. Often times you do, especially if you made the reservation months in advance.

FYI - You will get an automated e-mail acknowledging your request. That does not mean you have a reservation. You must get a second e-mail with date/time to print out and take with you.

THANKS, I love this forum!

The tour is worthwhile. Its basically the basement of St. Peters down to the various levels along with narrow walkways and a ton of information about the site. You end up where some of the popes are buried and are free to tour that area when done. FYI entry. A lot of people get confused finding the entry. If you stand facing St. Peters on you left is a row of columns, you exit them, as you go down the last step turn right, wall to the end of the column row and you will see a fence with a Swiss Guard that is the entry into where the Scavi tour starts.

If you have claustrophobia will you have trouble with this tour? It sounds wonderful, but if the ceilings are low, I'm going to have a problem. Thanks.

Markland, yes it can be a bit claustrophobic for some people, but it is well lit. In most areas the passages are narrow and the tunnels can be a bit low. It is an environmentally controlled area and you are with a group. I know that on one of our first tours a poor woman went a bit nutty.

Small places don't bother me, as I was on ballistic missile submarines, but I can understand how some folks can be bothered by this.

Just remember, the area is not going to come crashing down on you and you are perfectly safe.

dave

pougal - ditto what all the above have said. the tour is very interesting, but what made it special was ending up in the chapel under the main altar of St. Peter's just as they were singing the midday mass...even an old atheist like me was moved to tears by the sense of the years of history surrounding me, though the sight of "St. Peter's" [sic] bones in some tupperware boxes rather destroyed the romance of the moment.

afterwards you can get into the Basilica without having to go through security again if you turn left up the steps just before the swiss guards post, and if you go across the forecourt to the right -hand side of the Basilica, and turn left, you will find the entrance to the Dome - even if you don't fancy climbing right up to the top of the Dome, the view from the roof is pretty special [access from the lift] and there is a cafe [and toilets] too.

It's muggy on the tour and you aren't supposed to lean on anything. It's a bit difficult to stand without touching anything while the guide is talking. Much easier walking than just standing.

Thanks, Dave.

Do you know how it compares to the catacombs? Or a charter flight? lol.

I would say very similar to the catacombs. I think it is far better in terms of space than if you flew RyanAir.