Presto tours or real rome tours

Cathy-I have not used either, but I have been reading the reviews on TripAdvisor in the Things to do section on Rome. I am going to Rome in June and I am considering booking with a company. Both are listed and there are lots of reviews. Through Eternity is ranked #1 as they have the most reviews but they wait in the lines..Eden Walks is ranked up there too...Lots of "5 Stars"-the reviews seem to be all fairly new.Could be good...could be bad...I personally would rank a great tour a 4 Star and 5 stars would take a real great tour for me-something that would totally be off the charts great! Then there is Presto and Real Rome who both have the same 3/2 special. Angel Tours is mentioned. All in All, it looks tough to choose which company and i am stuck here. I have written to a few posters on TripAdvisor with "Private Messages" to those who have posted a lot. Deciding Factors for me are-Quality of Guide-Group Size-Booking service-Customer Service(how quick they get back to you)-avoiding lines(not as important)- Can I request a certain guide? Specials are always fun too.

I would contact the company/s who you are interested in and then maybe you could exchange contact information with one who took the tours? I want to get all my booking done to avoid carrying cash while in Rome. Lots of stories about the pick pocketers.

As of now I have narrowed my choices down to 3 comapanies:

1)Through Eternity(Most popular-best reviews and has been around longest)
2)Presto Tours-(fairly popular-most up to date website and advanced booking + avoid vatican lines.)
3)Angel Tours- ( Popular. Name sounds great. Their name has been thrown around a lot and i think they avoid the vatican lines too)
4) I am considering Real Rome Tours as well.

Thanks, Jack. yes, it is a difficult decision, but you have done your research!! Cathy

Cathy, someone else you may want to consider--it's a tour company called Context Rome. I've taken several of their tours in Rome (as well as their tours in Florence and Paris). If you are looking for in-depth tours, they are amazing. They are a little more expensive than some (but not that much), but they take no more than 6 people on most tours (and will go with fewer), and the guides are working in their areas of academic training/expertise. For example, I went through the Vatican with a guide who teaches Baroque art history at the university level. Also, they are willing to slant the tour to the interests of the group when there is agreement. And unlike many tour companies, I've never heard them make an incorrect statement when discussing a topic about which I have some knowledge.

We used Presto Tours for our visit to the Vatican. We made the reservations and paid online and it worked out great. Prompt, friendly, informed.

Hi Denny. I am a bit nervous about booking with a credit card although i do feel like booking in advance is necessary. Could you explain exactly how it works. How do i know where to meet? Is it easy to find..what happens if we have trouble finding where to meet?

Tim -- we booked in advance with Angle Tours and they sent us via email the meeting point on a map, described how their tour guides are dressed and provide a local phone number if needed, I am sure the others do exactly the same thing because we other clusters of people doing exactly the same thing.

Tim: With Presto Tours, after paying online, we received an immediate confirmation email with detailed info. It identified the rendezvous spot, provided a map with "you are there" markers and even included a photograph of the meeting place! I am the guy who gets lost walking 2 feet from Point A to B. The Presto rep. was in the right place/right time and had our names on her roster. Nothing could have been easier.

thanks!

Cathy,
Just to confuse you a little more :) We used a tour guide in Rome who was fantastic. She is a private guide...not with a big tour company. She took us all over the major spots for a walking tour of ancient Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Pantheon, etc. No waiting in lines!! Born and raised in Rome, speaks perfect english, we all loved her. Here is her contact info:
Fancesca Caruso
e-mail: chris.fra@mclink.it
tel: 06.7810633 home
339.2616482 cell