Scavi tour at St. Peter's

I booked three months in advance. Didn't hear for quite awhile. A family friend, who is a priest, friends with the pope and teaches at the Vatican, said he couldn't help. Finally, though, we received a reply giving us reservations. Good luck.

I even offered to accept all tours in English/French/Spanish/Italian (in that order) but no luck! Too bad. Will have to plan ahead better on some other trip to Rome!

When we were planning to go, I gave them all the dates we would be in Rome, and luckily they had room on one of them. We planned the rest of our time in Rome around that day.

I emailed about a month before we went in July and didn't hear back for a few weeks so I thought it was a no go but ended up getting in. Was very cool so hope you can get in.

We got our confirmation in June - 2 weeks after our request, for a visit the end of July. Keep trying!

Gwen, it might be worth trying to go to the Office when you're there. they might have an opening or people might not show up. On the tour I went on a couple years ago, a couple was put on our tour at the last moment. It's worth the extra effort (this coming from a nice jewish girl:))!

Here's a website from a semi-official website, which recommends making a request for reservations at least 90 days ahead of time: http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Necropolis/ScaviTour.htm * * * Some things have to be planned in advance and are worth it. * * * More quotes from the website: "It seems that noone really understands how the office handles the reservations. Repeatedly emailing, faxing or calling the office doesn't appear to help your chances. The office is very busy so all you can do is hope for a ticket. Some people (party of one) have gone to the office at 9:00am, asked if there are any cancellations, and have received a tour that day. I've personally tried this without success."

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement. I only just learned of the existence of the Scavi tour a few days ago and immediately sent a reservation request. So far no luck, but I'm stil hoping for a "Deus ex Machina!"