Hi there. This is our first trip to Rome and we are there 3 days (one being our arrival day). I am considering a RomeinLimo Tour for one day—Rome Your Taste. We already have timed tickets for 9:30 at the Colosseum the day we’d do the tour. The tour we thought of doing would take us there and then to many other sites—whatever we choose. One of the reasons I was considering this is so that we can cover lots of highlights in a day (no Vatican). And go see things like aqueducts and the catacombs. It is an 8 hour day with a driver who also knows lots of history. Would love to hear advice about if you would do this (we have room in the budget). Or is this not a good idea? It is 380E for 4 of us for 8 hours.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16741 posts
I don't know anything about this company but consider that you're going to spending a chunk of your time at the Colosseum and don't even arrive there until 9:30 AM. Colosseum tickets usually cover the Forum and Palatine as well, which really should be explored and are only a short walk away from the arena so you don't need the car.
I see that you also have to arrange your own tickets for any attractions this limo will take you to see, and do be aware that some areas of central Rome are pedestrianized so a vehicle will only be able to get you just so close; you'll need to walk the rest. You'll also be required to take a paid tour at any of the catacombs, and your driver won't be arranging or guiding those.
You don't mention what other "things" you intend to see?
It's up to you but unless a visitor has mobility or other issues which make getting around on foot/public transit an issue, I'll always vote for independent exploration with on-site tours, audio tours, provided info or pre-research. I guess I wouldn't want a large chunk of a limo cost being for time I'm not IN the thing?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23656 posts
I don't know. Traffic is terrible in Rome at just about anytime so I assume you will spend a lot of time sitting in traffic. Between restricted streets and pedestrian zones it is difficult for vehicle traffic to get close to most sites. So it is either a lot of drive by at a distance or fair amount of walking. The driver can take you to the catacombs but there is nothing to see unless you take the required guided tour offered by the site. The aqueduct park is more of a drive by. I would think that a car and driver would be more useful for the sites that are outside of the center of Rome. If you have a 9.30 ticket for the colosseum and forum, that will take all of the morning. Do you really want an expensive driver sitting around for 3 hrs for you to finish? Use a taxi - lot cheaper.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
You are not hiring a guide, you are hiring a driver. Drivers are not licensed guides and are not legally allowed to give commentary or lead tours. This will be a driver only.
Personally, I would save that money and simply take taxis between the sites I wish to visit. There really is no need to have a car waiting for you when you can easily catch a taxi for much less.
Save that money and hire guides at specific sites.
Donna
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Sounds like a unanimous "no", so we will skip it! Thank you for your input. Decided to opt for a guided tour of the Colloseum/Forum instead.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Given your screen name, I'm assuming you're from Texas. So, your point of reference is Texan cities.
Rome is not like Houston - a city designed around the car, where having a car is a near-necessity, and where other transit doesn't work well. Rome is like Boston - a city designed well before cars (in the case of Rome, several thousand years before), where having a car is a headache and hindrance, and where other forms of transit work fine. Even Romans will use scooters rather than their cars to get around the center of the city (where you'll be). Once you see it, you'll understand why.
You'll do much better walking, taking buses, the occasional metro (it works fine, but it only goes to a few places of interest to visitors), and taxis.