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Local Tour Guide Suggestions

Hello,

I was looking to see if anyone had suggestions for local tour guides in Rome, Florence or Venice. We are a family of seven so I thought it would be great to have a local show us around the Vatican, Colosseum, walking tours of the city and other sites throughout Italy. A small tour group would be fine too. Thanks in advance!

Posted by
135 posts

I really don't see why you need to spend the money for a local tour guide for the Vatican and Colosseum. I booked tours directly through their sites and the tours did the trick. Rick Steve's probably has a free audio guide for Rome but I didn't use it. I used Rick Steve's free audio tour which I downloaded on my phone in Florence and one for the Grand Canal in Venice and they were fine. You can get an audio tour from the Uffizi in Florence (don't use Rick Steve's one for that because it is no longer accurate) and you don't need an audio or guide for Accademia. My splurge was taking a private driving tour through Tuscany (picked up and delivered back to Florence) with Hills and Roads and that was well worth it. Their air conditioned van would accommodate your family. I highly recommend it. They will tailor the tour to your tastes and you will see Tuscany the way you could never see it on your own. A highlight of my trip.

Posted by
16730 posts

Vatican Museums: the benefit of a tour here is being guided to the highlights and having direct access from the museums/Sistine into the basilica via the passageway reserved for tours.

I might suggest pre-booking the 3-hour combo tour of museums and basilica offered on the Vatican's website (you want the €37.00 selection for individuals):

http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/scegli-la-visita/musei-e-collezioni/musei-vaticani-e-basilica-di-san-pietro/visita-guidata-musei-e-basilica-s--pietro-per-singoli-e-gruppi-.html

If you happen to be in Rome on a Friday, then I'd suggest the 2-hr. night tour (doesn't include the basilica):

http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/scegli-la-visita/musei-e-collezioni/musei-vaticani-e-cappella-sistina/-i-aperture-notturne--i---visita-guidata-musei-e-cappella-sistin.html

I don't see the need for a guide at the Colosseum: just rent audio guides there or download Rick's free guide:
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/italy

DO pre-purchase ticket for the Colosseum: ticket lines are very long! Your ticket also cover the Forum and Palatine, both of which are well worth seeing: € 12.00 + €2.00 reservation fee.

http://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm

Tours of the Colosseum only are also available through Coopculture for an additional € 5.00 but must be reserved by phone:
In English:
from Monday to Sunday
10.15, 10.45,11.15, 12.30, 13.45, 15.00, 16.15, 17.15
purchasable by phone:
+39 06 399 67 700

If wishing a guided tour of Colosseum, Forum and Palatine, this one comes highly recommended by many RS posters:
https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/roman-colosseum-tours

This one is highly recommended for the Vatican as it gets you inside a little before the mob (and it WILL be mobbed and hot):
https://www.walksofitaly.com/vatican-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour

As far a general walk, Rick's "Heart of Rome" audio walking tour (same link as above) could serve you all well: no physical guide needed!

Florence: I don't see a big need for a guide anywhere here. With a good guidebook and audioguides from some of the bigger attractions (like the Uffizi) you should be fine. Pre-ordering tickets for the Uffizi and Accademia is a must during high season, and Rick offers a selection of free audio tours for Florence as well (same link as above).

http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/default.aspx

If you are leaving next month, you're a little late in the game for snagging tour-group and/or entry slots for 7 during high season so I'd get on it!

Posted by
15 posts

Thank you both for the reply!

marionsher - Would you mind sharing who you used for the private driving tour? That sounds fabulous.

Kathy - thank you for your suggestions. I booked a tour through with Walking of Italy for the Vatican. I appreciate your detailed response!

Posted by
11845 posts

With such a large group, a private tour can be a benefit in use of time, flexibility, focus on your interests, and economical too versus paying a per person ticket fee.

I highly recommend Sonia Tavoletta. We have used her on a few occasions, as have our visitors when we lived in Roma. Email her at [email protected].