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Magic Keyhole Tour in Rome

Has anyone taken this side tour offered by Hotel Smeraldo in Rome for €80?

Posted by
16235 posts

That's kind of expensive, just for the view of the St. Peter's dome from a key hole. Get on a taxi, ask him to take you on the Aventino hill, at Piazza Dei Cavalieri di Malta, peek through the hole, and get a taxi back. 20 euro and you are done. Actually if you are in Trastevere or near the Circus Maximus, you can easily walk to it for free.

Posted by
4418 posts

I couldn't find anything about it online, on their website or otherwise. What info do you have/what's the website address? Obviously, I don't have first-hand experience with this tour ;-)

Posted by
2023 posts

This can be done easily on your own. The Aventine Hill is a nice walk and in the same area you can see the Mouth of Truth.

Posted by
99 posts

Thanks for the replies. We did go ahead and book this because we had a short window for decision-making. I should clarify that the €80 was for two people. I will write again and give a report.

Posted by
99 posts

Just got back from this great tour offered on the side by Eugenio of Hotel Smeraldo. It was outstanding! The magic keyhole was just one of many, many stops on what was really a backstreets tour of Rome, at night: Trastevere, the Aurelian Walls, the Church of St. Anastasia, monuments and fountains other than those that are in all the guidebooks, etc., etc. It was well worth the €40 apiece for the packed and interesting tour, and was really in the spirit of Rick Steves' philosophy of travelling like a local. So, we most enthusiastically recommend this side trip!