We are going to Rome in December and looking for Guides for the following types of tours:
The Vatican - early entrance
Coliseum, Palatine Hill, etc.
They seem to have decent reviews and offer the types of tours we want but was wondering if anyone has personal experience with this company or another recommendation.
Thank you!
We just arrived in Rome late this afternoon, and are taking a food tour in the morning. We have no personal experience with Livitaly, although in our last trip, 9 years ago, we did the Underground expanded tour at the Colosseum, available at the ticket office at the entrance. Seeing the underground passages and foundations, with a chance to stand on a platform on the area floor level, was worth it.
I've not taken either of these tours but for a family of 5 adults (I looked back on one of your previous posts) I'd look into the Colosseum underground/arena tour provided by their official website, Coopculture, if intent upon seeing these sections.
https://www.coopculture.it/en/products/the-wonders-of-the-colosseum-the-underground-and-the-arena/
These sell out quickly in advance so if there are still openings for your dates, I'd jump on one of them.
"The Cabinet of the Masks" is the first I've heard of this part of the Vatican, and wouldn't personally be all that interested in it so "worth" is sort of a subjective question. It's usually MUCH more important to be able to enter the museums before the general public via an early-entrance tour that goes directly to the Sistine before its a complete zoo in there.
We’ve done the Colosseum tour and the Pristine Sistine tour with Walks of Italy
Don’t know how the prices compare but we felt both were worth the money, especially the Pristine Sistine
I believe they offer a RS discount, email and ask for the code
Yep, Walks Of Italy's "Pristine Sistine" tour has seen many positive reviews on this forum so that's another option.
https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour/
The Vatican itself offers and early-entry option that is considerably less expensive than the early-morning commercial tours. I have no idea how they compare, quality-wise.
I highly recommend LivItaly Colosseum tour. We did this tour two years ago and the guide was fantastic and the group was very small. Absolutely worth the money!
The Vatican itself offers and early-entry option that is considerably
less expensive than the early-morning commercial tours.
Right. The Vatican's options do involve breakfast at the museums. Here is the more affordable of their two options (€ 52,00 per adult) which goes directly to the Sistine upon beginning of the tour. It's 2 hours in length, breakfast excluded:
https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home/fromtag/5/1639461600000/VG-Musei
(It's the second one on the list; "Prime Experience - Vatican Museums."; group size of up to 15 )
Even with an early-entrance tour, you won't be alone in the Sistine 'cuz the Vatican plus any number of outside companies offer these. However, visitor numbers in the chapel will still be lighter than during general-public hours, and will probably be even lighter in December than during high season. It'll be interested to see when they open up the interior passage between Sistine and St. Peter's again? That passage is reserved for tours, and saves both shoe leather and time when those tours which include both museums + basilica are able to use it. If I knew that was going to happen with the next change of procedures, should that be soon, I'd suggest jumping on that option but it's anyone's best guess when that might be. 🧐
