private tour guides for Venice and Florence and Rome

We used artviva.com in Rome just 3 weeks ago for a Vatican tour and was very pleased. They take a maximum of 15 people or I think you can do a private tour also. I know they are available for other cities also. If you can do small groups it is best. We saw guides leading herds of people around and you get lost in the maze. We also did the secret itineries tour at Doge Palace in Venice. So in some cities you could do specific sites if you want.

You said that in florence you used the secret Is Secret Itinieraries tour with Artiva or is that a different company?

Sorry, the Secret Itinary Tour is actually through the Doge Palace in Venice. I just went to Secret Itinary Doge Palace online and booked it. It is only an hour but very interesting historically. We used Artviva tours in Rome for the Vatican. It was a 5 Hr tour. But I know their website has different city tours available. I booked all tours online before we left. They tell you the meeting point and you just bring your email confirmation and show them. Artviva is one Rick Steves mentions in his Italy 2009 book. Tip: we took all our email confirmations of hotels, tours, trains, planes, cars, etc and decreased the page sizes to 10x10's, and made it into a little booklet. We made 2 copies, and we always knew where the papers were.

Can't help you in Venice of Florence, but I'd suggest "Ron in Rome" for Rome.

Ron in Rome

Not only will he customize a tour for you, his website is a must for anyone visiting Rome with all the info it includes.

And, he's been known to answer questions on this board.

THANKS FOR THE INFO!

great idea, Karen

I heartily second Frank II's advice to use Ron in Roma, if you can get him.

He is much more than a tour guide, as evidenced by his web site, http://www.roninrome.com/