Best Rome Walking Tours...WITHOUT Breaking the Bank!

Before you consider this tour you might want to read this: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k5692627-New_Rome_Free_tour_be_aware_the_rudest_staff_ever-Rome_Lazio.html I like to do audio walks. You can go your own pace, starting and stopping when you wish. I like the ones on pocketvox.com but there are other good ones out there. Donna

Yeah, I'm going to pass on them...

Go to "Ron in Rome" site and see what he recommends or you can email him: His site is:
http://www.roninrome.com/

I did the New Free walking tour last year and loved it. The guide was licensed and was a born and raised Roman so he shared a lot of great stories along the way. Guess different people have different experiences shrug

It wasn't an experience with a tour it was someone sending an email and getting insulted and harassed. It wasn't the first time as several of the negative reviews also had responses from this company that were insulting and rude. I will never recommend anyone use this company and will tell everyone to stay away from these people. If you can read their response and not be offended then you should book with them, if not....... Donna

We did a lot of self-guided tours before we moved here, and still do. There's an excellent book, "24 Great Walks in Rome" that you might pick up as a guide. Helped me plan our two trips here as visitors.

I appreciate the comments but I am specifically looking for inexpensive walking tour companies. Thanks!

Try and do this as one of the first things in Rome.A great tour very informative for 2 hours;
Cannot recommend this more highly! This should be the number one and first thing to do in Rome. Stefano was the guide . he was wonderful, nformative and fun. Excellent way to see Rome. We learned to drink from a fountain and cross the street as the romans do and few other secrets of Rome. Thank you Stefano

I ran into Stefano while he was giving one of his tours! (I was with some family members who were relying on my expertise with early Christian church architecture), and the group Stefano was with were having a great time. I have absolutely no stake in this company, but Stefano was charming and very knowledgeable.

I have to say that I'm very suspicious of those two postings about New Rome Free Tours by "anthony" and "frank". They both appear on the board at the same time. They both have only two postings. Both are typed in lower case, first name only. Their grammar is not quite right for English speakers. And the only topics they have posted to are about NRFT. Color me skeptical.

I agree with you. I believe Frank and Anthony work for NRFT and are trying to drum up business. They must be feeling the negative impact their rants on TA have been having. Anthony was on TA and refused to admit that he works for the company but kept defending them and accusing the OP of not being in the right place at the right time and then started insulting everyone on the thread. He finally got taken off the thread for his dishonesty but you can still read his answers to unfavorable reviews about the company. They are very eye opening. These are not people that I will deal with or send any of my family or friends to deal with. Donna

Dear Donna I am feeling so sorry for you but I have to tell you one thing: I really did a tour with New Rome Free tour, at 5,30 at the spanish steps feel free to contact me and you can ask me all the questions you want about this tour
I was and I am still glad to share the positive experience I had with other travellers and all the good comments you can find on TA and Ricksteves' graffiti wall

Anthony, (or should I call you Antonio?) This is your second response to me defending NRFT. Why don't you let everyone know how you are associated with them. Are you just a guide or are you a member of management? It's obvious you're one or the other... Donna

please Donna, stop feeling the Jeanne D'arc of the global forum of Tourism who are you to judge if the comments that are posted on TA and Ricksteves' are fake or not?
tell me , tell us who is behind you? what is your goal and personal interests in keeping attacking NRFT? Are you the same person that writes comments on TA as Dbabe?

Yep, that's me. Are you the same Antonio who was so rude to Drica? Donna

One thing I noticed is that it's the same people commenting on both sites w/ tens of thousands of posts on each. I was hoping for some assistance only to be very disappointed by the total lack of maturity and the amount of irrelevant info I find on RS & TA.

Not sure what other type of information you're looking for. You said you don't want to do an expensive walking tour (40 euro) so that leaves the free tours. The one that all the debate is going on about has horrible customer service. You're free to use them if you wish or you can do a web search to see if there are any other free walking tours in Rome. I have not heard of any or I would have suggested them as an alternative. The fact that the same people post and have thousands of posts is because we have all been to Rome many many times and are happy to help fellow travelers. We don't have an agenda and are not trying to promote "our businesses" like a lot of other posters who pop up occasionally. It's too bad you don't find either site of any value but I do wish you good luck on your trip and hope you find the information you're looking for. Donna

Sara, don't you find it valuable to warned off shills and businesses pretending to be fellow travelers? I'm sorry, I have to admit to having a few posts here, and on TA as well, but its only because I feel I have something to add, to help a fellow traveler. If I have a point of view which might be affected by the type of work I do (British railways) then I always disclose it. Which is more important, time on a vacation or money? The experienced contributors among us all - pretty much all - wish strongly to save you both and give you the facts so you can make decisions. I'm sorry you see that as childish.

Dear Sara I totally agree with you !! the thousands of people visiting TA or RS are not so stupid to know that passing hours and hours on the web is because for some peolple, claming to be an expert of a city where they do not live in, is a real job and not a mission!
what makes people suspicious is that these " experts" , living miles and miles away from Rome, are always so updated and informed ....

dear Sara these are the free tours operating in Rome www.romefreewalkingtour.com www.romefreetour.com (I do not if they still operate) www.freetourrome.com (they started last week)
www.newromefreetour.com they work with licensed and local guides

I found strange that Nigel, Donna and Micheal have not accused Sara yet for being in business with NRFT after what she has written about their comments

Ummmm.....she actually asked about tours that charge fee and isn't defending your despicable company. Are you now going to accuse me of being Nigel also. As for me not living in Rome, I visit it often enough on business and as a tourist to be caught up on the latest happenings that would interest fellow tourists. I visit the sites and eat in the restaurants. I book tickets to sites and take tours. Yes, I know what I'm talking about because I go there often. I have never given myself an "expert" tag, I was asked to use the title because of my knowledge. I don't need to live in Rome to have or use this knowledge. I don't pass hours and hours on the website, just some in the morning and some in the evening. I try to answer as many questions as I can in order to help others with their trip. I'm sorry you don't understand this concept but believe me, there are thousands of people who have sent me thank yous for the help I've given them. You claim that I am here on a mission but if you can tell me and everyone else what business I work for I promise I will never post on this site or TA again. You won't be able to because I have NEVER mentioned what I do. It's no ones business because I don't work in the travel industry. My business has nothing at all to do with travel or tourism. This is why I have NEVER mentioned it, so you're saying I'm here secretly promoting my business is just as absurd as the rest of your posts. I think your rants clearly show that you work for NRFT and show your total lack of character. You list your home as being in Canada but you type with an Italian accent. Just come clean so we can all say I told you so and stop making a fool out of yourself. Or better yet, just apologize to Adriana for the horrible email sent to her. donna