Scavi tour

None. You won't get in if you're late, either, and your money is non-refundable.

None, those tours fill up fast. Also, you must check all larger bags and be appropriately dressed. The only thing you can do is ask at the office but I wouldn't waste the time. Donna

I don't think the Swiss Guard will let you go past them without a reservation in hand to get to the ticket office. At least we had to show them ours before they would let us past. What's the hesitation, Miff?

Yes, we had our to have our tickets in hand in order to pass the guard. So a reservation is necessary. Plus, as others mentioned, the tours fill up very quickly, it is difficult to get a reservation sometimes.

I've asked the guards on three different occasions to go to the office and they had no problems letting me go. They did say they didn't think I could get on the tour and twice they were right. The other time they had a slot available so my sister was able to go. We were very lucky that a slot had opened up. Donna

We never tried to take the Scavi Tour without a reservation. The reservations are easy to make and we were able to secure the date and time we wanted. Also, the tour was ok, but we were not too overly impressed and it was hot and HUMID. Buon viaggio,

The last comment really illustrates that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to traveling. We took the Scavi Tour this past May and for me it was one of the highlights of the trip. For my partner, not so much.

We've been once and I found it very interesting. But, this trip is a last minute thing with a few companions who have never been. I've emailed the request. If I am turned down, I'll still try a walk in. Nothing ventured....

Miff, definitely check w/ the Scavi Office the day of your visit, if you don't snag a reservation in advance. We took the tour in early May, but arrived a bit early for our scheduled tour, so we were offered the tour immediately before our scheduled tour (which had spaces available). So, that then freed up two spaces for people on the tour for which we were originally reserved. Things happen, spaces might free up. The same thing happened w/ our Borghese reservations. We booked early afternoon on arrival day, to allow for late flight, etc. Checked w/ Borghese, and we were immediately allowed entry at 11:00 instead of our 3:00 slot, although signs were posted that there were no spaces until the following Thursday. (We were very kind in explaining why we had originally reserved such a late time, etc., as we did not want to chance missing seeing the gallery if our flight had been late.....the gentleman typed into his computer and handed us two immediate tickets with a big smile.) Folks will help you out, IF they have the spaces available.

Another Scavi question. One of my travel friends is 77 - a spry 77 but still 77. I don't remember this tour as being easy and that was 10 years ago. Should I advise her not to try it?

As long as she can walk up and down some steps, she should be fine. But be warned - they keep the area VERY humid and it can often be quite warm.

The tour requires a bit of walking in very close spaces. It was very humid and hot when we took the tour last November. It was not warm above ground, but awful in the excavation area. My husband and I both found the tour uncomfortable, perhaps because of the tight spaces and heat,but most probably because of the dogma of the guide. He was much more interested in prosletizing than discussing the unique archeological aspects of the site. We would not recommend the Scavi tour.

One of the best pieces of advice I've heard Rick offer is that when you're in Italy, be a temporary Catholic. It will help you appreciate so much that you will see. This is ten times more true when visiting the Vatican. The Scavi Tour takes you to what is believed by many to be the burial place of Peter, the disciple of Jesus upon whom is based the leadership of the Roman Catholic church. So don't be surprised that what you're seeing may be framed in the context of Catholic dogma. If you think that might bother you, don't go.

The best part, though, is that the burial site they claim Peter is at, the one they "show" you is just a red light off in the distance. You can't really see anything. The idea Michael mentions of being a temporary Catholic is a good one, though. I enjoyed the Scavi tour, but it was lengthy and very humid. I also had a guide who spoke English with a very thick accent. She liked to tell jokes, but it all took us a minute to comprehend what she said, so we never laughed early enough and this upset her. Oops!