We will be arriving in Rome @ 7:45 a.m. in May 2018. We have never been to Rome and we are searching for an introductory overview tour of Rome for late morning or early afternoon. There are several overview tours with Tour Companies, however, they are not until early evening hours. Our plans are to take our luggage directly to our hotel, and begin touring the city. We would like a walking overview tour early in the day with an opportunity to enjoy exploring on our own, an early dinner meal ( I know that is not the custom, however, after traveling and the busy next day, we will need to go to bed early.) :-) The next day we have small group tours set up early in the morning for the Vatican and the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Any and all advise will be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your input!
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1175 posts
Look at Alessio Vicari Tours - he's on facebook.
Our neighbors used him for two days in Rome on their first ever trip and loved every minute. It was just their family of 4.
Use the search bar above. This topic comes up frequently and there are several individuals that are highly recommended by posters on this site.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23653 posts
I don't know what your experience is with dealing with jet lag. I know a frequent recommendation is to gut it out during the day and go to bed early with an early dinner. That is a pattern that we tried for a number of years with marginal success. We now spend the morning out walking in the sun, do our own walking tours, so that we can adjust as needed. We now take a nap roughly 2-4, 3-5. Never more than two hours and use an alarm to make certain it is not more than two hours. We find the short nap recharges our batteries just enough to carry us through a regular meal time and to bed around 10 or so. For us that works very well.
So, instead of committing to a formal group tour for your first day, I would simply do a personal walking tour or other outside activities so that you can adjust to what your body is telling you.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16708 posts
So, instead of committing to a formal group tour for your first day, I
would simply do a personal walking tour or other outside activities so
that you can adjust to what your body is telling you.
I'd recommend the same as above. It's much easier to operate according to our own speed/agenda on arrival day than to commit to someone else's! The other risk is pre-booking a tour and having your flight be delayed enough to miss it. Most of us don't advise committing to anything non-refundable, like tours or economy train tickets, for arrival day lest an unexpected transport snag throw a wrench in the plan.
Posted by
Washington DC
28450 posts
I agree with the others. The most I would do is research the possibility of a walking tour that I could join on the spur of the moment (if such exist in Rome) and have that information available for consideration after I had dropped off my luggage.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
I have not done these tours, but not knowing how you react to jet lag, you might consider them. The morning tour starts at 9:39 and then the next is at 12:00. They would get you outside and are only 2hrs.
If you decide to use one, and it was informative, tip the guide.
Posted by
Indianapolis
291 posts
In June 2018, I took a tour with Walks of Italy ("Welcome to Rome" tour). I had a similar arrival time as you and booked it for my first day in Rome. One of the main reasons I chose to book it on my arrival day was to help me stay awake the whole day. I thought it was perfect. In our group that day there were only 5 people. I found the guide knowledgeable and more than willing to answer any and all questions.
I understand your concern with getting going right away with a tour. Between my arrival time and the 4:00 pm start time of the tour, I had lunch, took a shower, and used one of Rick's audio guides to take a walk.
I know it was a risk to schedule a tour on my arrival day, but I was willing to take the risk. The tour is affordable (and I think they have a Rick Steves discount code). I knew if anything went wrong with my flight I was out some money.
Have a great trip!
Sharon
Posted by
OP
37 posts
Thanks to all. You have all posted helpful information. After reading the comments, I have reconsidered the "formal" tour idea and will opt in to the Rick Steves audio walk and a couple of sites that are on my bucket list for Rome and work at my own pace. I wish I had posted sooner instead of spinning my wheels. :-)
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2214 posts
In June 2018, I took a tour with Walks of Italy ("Welcome to Rome" tour).
I agree with Sharon, we took three Walks of Italy tours (2 in Florence, 1 in Rome) and I heartily recommend them.
I also subscribe to getting out the day of arrival. You may be dragging by bed time, but we find it the best way to quickly acclimate.
Posted by
752 posts
Get out and about. I've never had jet lag I think because I never planned for it. City Wonders offers 18 early morning tours right now in low season. In May, early morning tours will be off the chart!