I've read a lot of positive comments about Scala Reale tours on this site. What is so special about them? How do they differ from other tours? I'm not usually the "organized tour" type, but I'm intrigued. Thanks.

They're not bus tours, they are walking tours. Average 3-4 hours. Groups are 6 or less. Guides are all history or art students and teachers, chosen both for expertise and for ability to make the past come alive.<BR>My 4 hours at the Colosseum and the Forum just flew by, our guide seemed to know every rock and broken column and what it meant. If you're interested in historical detail, I highly recommend them. They are more expensive than some other organizations.

Thanks for your reply, Elaine. I've looked at their website and began the registration process. Is it necessary to make advance reservations? Also, do you recommend the &quot;Roma Antica&quot; and Vatican tours for an 11 year old? those are the ones that interes me the most.

We did the Vatican/Sistine Chapel tour with Scala Reale and loved it. What is also wonderful is that they have an orientation tour on the day you arrive which is like getting two tours for the price of one...even though they are a bit expensive. We enjoyed both tours thoroughly and will do another the next time in Rome.<BR><BR>Because the groups are very small, they are more personal and the insights they offer are wonderful. Both our guides were quite knowledgeable and had terrific senses of humor. <BR><BR>Have fun planning.

these are just opinions:<BR>The Vatican museums can make even the most art-addicted adult's eyes glaze over. The experience is very demanding, even if you pick and choose what to see. <BR>If you email SR directly, they will advise you honestly about your 11-year old, perhaps even make suggestions. <BR><BR>Their tour of the Vatican is about 4 hours and includes<BR>St Peter's. I saw the Vatican for the first time without Scala Reale and I regretted it. I took an &quot;English speaking&quot; tour with a Vatican guide who spoke truly incomprehensible English.<BR>However, at St Peter's which offers separate and short guided tours, our guide, a Brit, was excellent.<BR><BR>Yes, I took the Roma Antica tour with SR and their Orientation Hike. There is also a slower paced Orientation Walk.<BR>I liked the Hike--we hit a few churches that were on my must-see list anyway.<BR>Our guide for the Antica tour was outstanding, as I said, both informative and entertaining. His name was Gregory. He even did a compare and contrast with the facts of the Colosseum as opposed to the facts of the movie &quot;Gladiator.&quot; Your 11-year-old might enjoy that.<BR><BR>Advance reservations ARE necessary, because they are very conscientious about scheduling. You will find a packet from them waiting for you at your hotel. In my case, when I used them for the first time, a tour had to be cancelled because I was the only English-speaking person who'd signed up for that time slot. They called me at my hotel, we agreed on another tour at a mutually convenient time, they faxed me a confirmation to my hotel. They also answer their phone in Rome well into the evening, not just an answering machine. Very efficient group.

I should have added that SR doesn't make a habit of changing their schedule or canceling tours, but on that occasion it was ten days after 9/11/01 and they'd had a lot of cancellations from American visitors.<BR><BR>Also, I have a long file on Rome, if you'd like to see it, email me at<BR>[email protected]

My husband and I are not the tour types<BR>either but the Scala Reale tour was exceptional. We were paired with another couple that had our same interests (and from our same state) and our guide made every site come alive.<BR>The orientation tour was wonderful too.<BR>You will be pleased that you have scheduled with this group.<BR>I recommend it to all of my friends.<BR>Have a great trip.<BR>Kay

Scala Reale tries to please. We were very happy with the orientation hike and the Vatican tour. Wish we'd had time for the Antica tour. I love the fact that you don't have more than six in a group. They also helped with dinner recommendations and reservations which turned out to be just what we'd asked for. In other words, they listened and they delivered. They also were helpful with tickets to cultural events. (I understand they assist with housing, as well, but we dindn't need that service.) And, our packet was waiting for us, as promised, as we checked into our hotel. When we had a question upon reading the material and tried to call Scala Reale (in the evening), we got through to a real person immendiately who could answer the question. Great service; great tours. I'd use them again.

I'll chime in as well. It's been a couple of years but we used Scala Reale for several tours and were well pleased with each of them. <BR><BR>We also used them to arrange a van/driver to take us to Naples/Pompeii for the day. The cost: about $60 each. We had a great day and the driver was very entertaining.

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm sold! My hope is now that they are not booked during our time frame. They have emailed me telling me that they have a large permanent backlog(?) and will get to me as soon as they can. I will hope for the best.

I just love this site – I never even thought of using these guys, but after hearing everyone's opinions, I think I will. <BR><BR>Two questions – what is the total time commitment for say a Vatican tour. We have limited time in Rome so just wondering if we can fit it in. Also, how much is the tour?<BR><BR>Thanks much.

I loved Scala Reale, it was like you were being shown the sights by a really smart friend who lives in Rome and just happens to be an expert on art, history, architecture... what ever tour you are taking. Since I know almost nothing about art, that smart friend came in really handy

Can anyone with experience please advise what the turnaround time is for Scala Reale to respond to an email request to register? It has now been a week and I am getting nervous.

We are traveling in March to Rome and are using Scala Reale for two tours. Their turn around time on email has been only a couple of days. I would re-send your message to be safe.<BR>

In answer to the question above, their Vatican tour is 4 hours, as is their<BR>Colosseum-Forum tour.

Our children (ages 9 and 12) very much enjoyed the Ancient Rome walk and the Vatican walk, as well as the Orientation Stroll. The guides did a great job with our children.

The &quot;Intensive&quot; tours (such as Roma Antica and Vaticano) are 4 hours @$50.00. We took 4 tours last fall, and they were definitely highlights of our trip, and well worth the time and money! We don't normally do tours, but we knew this would be different. It was.

Just want to say thanks to everyone who recommended Scala Reale on this board...I too would never have found it without you. We were in Rome the week before Christmas and went on the Roma Antica walk with Sacala Reale. This is a company for people who don't like tours. I've been to Rome before but the walks really woke me up to the history. The woman who gave our tour of the Colusseum/forum etc had a Masters in Roman Archeology...she was fabulous and perhaps because of the time if year there were only four people in our tour...three of us and one other person.<BR>The packet was in our room as promised even though we were staying in a B&amp;B and we had mistakenly give them the wrong address. Also they were very helpful on restaurant recommendations and making other reservations eg: Domus Aurea.<BR>We liked the overview walk and we went on a third special tour for free as they were having a special opening of the ruins of Domitian's Stadium under the Piazza Navona with a Harvard/Trinity Dublin educated archeology Prof speaking.<BR>We strongly recommend Scala Reale for people looking for a fun strongly historical/intellectual approach. I was dubuios but it was definately worth the money. Even my brother who was dreading being dragged around Rome (and planned to leave the tour the minute he felt bored) was spellbound!

can someone give me the scala reale website address? is it too late to contact them about a tour in rome on easter weekend? my husband won't pay the approx $50 USD cost so it will probably be my 8 yr old son and I going. has anyone ever been on the tours that i hear college students offer on site at the collesium. thanks in advance for your replies!<BR>gail

www.scalareale.org