I have read this in many messages as a must in Rome?

Hi, Jeannie!<BR><BR>This is a tour that begins on the side of St. Peter's & goes underground, actually beneath the Basilica. My wife & I took it last year and it was really a great experience.<BR><BR>At the end of the tour (about an hour or so), you are brought to a point where it's said that St. Peter is actually buried. <BR><BR>You do need reservations. You may want to search under "Scavi". I believe a fellow Fodorite will have the email address for you. I lost the email address I used. I believe I may have gotten it off of www.twenj.com/romevisit.htm<BR><BR>Once you get it, email them & be patient. It may take awhile before you hear back. Try to give them a day and an approximate time of day (early morning, late morning ..)<BR><BR>Hope this is helpful. It's definitely worth your time. Then, you'll be right inside the Basilica after you're done!<BR><BR>Have fun in your planning.<BR><BR>Bob

E-mail for Scavi tickets--as sent to me by Ed at the then twenj.com in 2001. I had a reply in about 24 hours.<BR>&lt;[email protected]&gt; It was a highlight of our trip to Rome.<BR><BR>The website is now twenj. net, I think. Ed is now deceased.

Go early. It gets really hot later on because of the climate control and the need to keep the humidity high.<BR><BR>Doug

There's a slightly earlier thread on this which mentions where the tour actually starts, which is a distance from where you MUST check all your bags!<BR><BR>Doug

Hi Jeannie,<BR>I live and work in Rome as a tour guide and I help people with information regarding the Scavi tour all the time. As mentioned you can log onto the Vatican web site directly and email them. However keep in mind at this time of the year you will probably need to give them at least 3 to 4 weeks notice before you get a reservation as they only take very small groups through.<BR>It is well worth it and most interesting. If you need any other help or general information please feel free to email me direct at [email protected]

I found it interesting how the Scavi office replied to our request for reservations for Monday, September 23rd, and wonder if we will receive a favorable response or not. Quote: The Vatican Scavi, as I believe you will be aware, is one of the most sacred spots for Christians in the world and we receive many thousands of requests each year that we unfortunately cannot accommodate. The nature of the necropolis is such that visits can be made only in small groups. <BR>Moreover, in order to care for the necropolis, we necessarily need to limit the amount of small groups that visit each day<BR> <BR>Your request is now being processed, and will only be responded to if a reservation can be confirmed. We hope it will be our pleasure to inform you of your reservation soon.<BR>You are kindly asked not to reapply for the visit by E-Mail or by Fax. Unquote. We were wondering if this is the standard reply they use to acknowledge receipt of a request, or is this telling us our request probably won't be granted? Can anyone enlighten us about this? Thanks. <BR><BR><BR>

Hi Larry,<BR><BR>I think that's their standard letter, although I applied by email and had a shorter one. But everything it says there is simply the case. I wouldn't worry unless there is something special going on that day.<BR><BR>Doug

It must be the standard auto-response; we get the same thing via email and then got the personalized confirmation in about a week. They must deal with requests in order and can't handle duplicate requests coming in every day. I'll bet you will be ok for a September date.