My husband & I are going to Italy for the first time in April. We are flying in to Rome, staying one night and then renting a car to drive to a villa in Tuscany (between Florence & Sienna) where we will stay with two other couples for one week (Saturday-Saturday). We are looking forward to immersing ourselves in the culture, especially the food & wine so we'll be visiting some of the smaller villages. In addition to that, I'd like to visit Sienna and Florence. Originally I thought we'd try to fit in Cinque Terra, but based on others' comments as to the "iffy" weather at this time of year, I think we'll pass. After we check out of the villa, we'll drive back to Rome (returning the car!) where we will stay 5 nights, giving us 4 full days there. I'm still working out the details on our time in Rome and welcome suggestions as to whether we should hire a private tour guide for one day which give us firsthand knowledge as well as the ability to skip the lines. Thank you!
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
You won't need to hire a private guide in order to bypass any lines. The only two sites that have long lines are the colosseum and Vatican museums. You can book entry tickets or tours for both of them online at the official sites which allow you to bypass the lines.
There are many great audio guides that you can use when walking the city. You can download a lot of them for free and use them to tour the city if you wish.
Donna
Posted by
21 posts
I can't give my own recommendation on this website, but a friend that went to Rome last summer recommended it to me to book tours
http://www.viator.com/Rome/d511-ttd
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
If possible, book an early morning tour for the Vatican Museums so you can be in the Sistine Chapel with a hundred people instead of what seems like thousands later.
Villa and Galleria Borghese are great, the park is lovely with some nice routes back to the city. I like walking from the Galleria to the Pincio, looking at Rome from the terrace, and then taking the footpath down to Piazza delPopolo.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Have you thought about where you will pick up the rental car in Rome?
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15799 posts
There are so very many things to see and do in Rome. A private guide for a day or a half day can certainly enhance your visit, especially if there's an area or a topic that is of special interest to you. However, you can enjoy all your time in Rome with one. You may want to join a group walking tour - much cheaper. I've taken tours in other cities and learned a lot.
Give us an idea of your interests and you'll get suggestions that are closer to your personal tastes.