Scavi (which I think just means excavations) tour has come to be synonomous with the wonderful guided exploration of the space under St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. I suspect that is where you are going Dorkforcemom and others..except for Jabez and BTW, my daughter did this "other" one and found it very interesting but wear a sweater!

The email I sent my request to was [email protected].
[email protected] is the one that books the "scavi" tour under St. Peter's.

bb

Call it luck or what - I sent in an email on Monday requesting Scavi tickets and had my answer waiting this morning (Wed) - we got November 13th! It probably helps that I gave them 7 different days we could do the tour.

One question - when confirming and paying with a credit card - did you do that via email - that does not seem particularly safe to me. Is faxing the best option? How expensive is an overseas fax? Thanks.

illnative, I had the same dilemma last week and I just risked it and sent it an email. I'd read that others have done so, but I am keeping an eye on that card for other activity (the Vatican charged it a week after I sent it and I got a confirmation of the charge 2 days after that).

Last year I sent my request about 6 months ahead, just after we set our dates. But I forgot that soon after we began planning we switched two weeks of our trip. So when the Scavi reservation came, I realized it was now for the wrong week for us. I emailed them back immediately with an explanation and within a couple days they had changed our date to the right week.

Wow...I emailed my first request for SCAVI Tickets on Monday-9/24 and recieved confirmation today - 9/26 for November 19th. Got the date and the time I requested. There are 6 of us and wasn't sure if that would help or hurt our chances?!

I think I will also take the risk and email my cc for payment.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what time we should plan on getting there for a 10:30 am tour. I know we only need to be there 10 minute prior...but should we plan something before?

Thanks everyone for all the great info.
Yeah!

Don't bother going more than 10 minutes before. The Swiss Guards won't let you in, and there's nowhere to sit.

M-mm, but don't be late either...the guide (generally a priest) usually arrives exactly on time, with his list and, as he must follow another group speaking another language and is followed by same speaking yet another, he wants to keep to the schedule. Our group (English speaking) had three no-shows on the dot of take-off time. They ended up tagging on to a German group that came 15 minutes after us!

I started this "We got Scavi Tickets" in June and thought I would let everyone know that when we took our tour last week it truely was one of the highlights of our Italian vacation. We arrived at St Peter's shortly after 7:30 and went in with no lines....our scavi tour as at 9:15 and one needs to be there only the 10 minutes in advance. The Swiss guards check your confirmation and tell you where to go for your entrance tickets....again your name is checked....we then waited about another 10 minutes for our guide. The tour is amazing and our guide was very knowledgable. Thoughout our tour we heard overhead the choirs and music from the Church as 25 American priests were being ordained. Our timing could not have been more special.

ChanB- we'll also be there on the 19th, but at 1:30. Felt really fortunate as well. Similarly to you I contacted them by fax on the 26th and heard back via email the very next day! Thanks to all for the links, contact numbers and suggestions. It worked like a champ!

Without question, the Scavi tour should be a must-see on everyone's trip to Rome. I've been in and out of Rome, working, traveling, visiting, etc., for over 25 years, but last year was the first year I did the Scavi tour-I have many friends who lived in Rome and go to Rome frequently who have never done it-it is awesome-and I mean that literally-and one should not miss it.

Phyllish...I would love to know what you have planned while in Italy...what is your itinerary and where are you staying? If you want to share please email me at [email protected].

Thanks all for the info and stories about how special the tour is. We can't wait.

Daveesl...

Sorry I haven't replied sooner I was in Turkey for the last 3 weeks and now just home checking emails.

I have the 9:15am tour on Dec. 28th...looks like we will miss each other, but sounds like we are in for a great experience! :)

We are just back from Rome and our Scavi tour was truly wonderful. Here are some tips that might help.

1. If you are facing the Basilica, you need to approach the Swiss guards just to the left of the steps. I was told to the left of the Colonnade, which is not correct. It's between the Colonnade and the church.

2. If you have a backpack or other such article, arrive at least an hour early. You have to wait in the security line before checking your item. It's free but time-consuming, since the line can be very long.

3. Have your confirmation with you to show the guards. These gentlemen are extremely polite and professional, but they expect to be treated with respect. Don't disappoint them.

Many thanks to the travel gods for looking out for me...I sent an email yesterday afternoon requesting a ticket for the 1st week of December and received a confirmation first thing this morning for 3 Dec @ 9:15!

After reading all the challenges of others, I feel very fortunate to have received a response so quickly.

I am so excited about my up coming trip to Italy! I leave for Venice Thanksgiving day for a couple days, then to Florence for 4 days and Pisa for 2 before heading to Rome for a week. It has been 20 years since I've been to Italy and I look forward to my return and celebrating my 40th while there!

"3 Dec @ 9:15!"

GET OUT. I will be there on 3 December at 9:30. I also received a response within a day. I couldn't believe it. I really thought they would be booked.

I know...I couldn't believe my luck!

If you want to grab an espresso while in Rome, let me know. I'll be there 1 Dec - 7 Dec (early flight out).

I booked in September, for November, and never heard back. When I got to Vatican City, I was going to take the free tour of Saint Peters with a priest from the American Bishop's Office,(meets each day I believe under the yellow I sign to the left of the basilica in giftshop and near bathrooms) but asked for directions to the Scavi office instead. The Swiss guards let me go by, even though I had no paperwork. I asked at the office why I had never heard back. The gentleman asked my name, and e-mail. He told me he e-mailed me and my appointment was the day before. I couldn't believe I missed my day, and kicked myself for not checking in earlier. But, he did fit me in one hour later. So, I felt blessed and very happy. If you don't hear back, you must check in when you get there. Because he had a record of my e-mail and I had e-mailed at least 5 times, he managed to fit us in (this was November 23rd). I don't have a spam blocker, so I don't know why I did not receive a confirmation. Did not show passports, it was not humid in November, and it was not clausterphobic for me. Again, I had no paperwork and the guards let me through - standing in front of St. Peters, go to the left side, straight to the guards and ask to go to the Scavi office.

We have Scavi tickets for April 2008...9:15 AM. How would you plan the balance of the morning after completing the Scavi Tour?