Tour guides for major tourist locations?

I would try to book guides before I went. We use toursbylocals.com to find guides. They list the guides for the city you chose, give you maximum number in group, price, meeting point, etc. you can also find private tour guides. You can email them what you want to see, etc. you pay up front through the company, which I like, helps me with my budgeting. After the tour, the company sends you a questionnaire. We’ve used them in many cities, even Havana.

Hi,

I always like to suggest the Roman Guy Tours for fun viewing and helpful tips. https://m.youtube.com/user/TheRomanGuyTours

Check out the videos and maybe you'll find something that you like.

There is also Walks of Italy.com

And, another is Dark Rome tours.

They all get pretty good reviews. I think the Roman guy and Walks of Italy offer a discount on multiple tour bookings. Best to call them to make sure.

Also, in case you did not know, there are restrictions for bags and other things in certain attractions and churches. It's good to read each company's policy and tips on entering attractions and churches.

Rome is great! Have fun.

P.S. The companies I suggested have groups of up to 18 people. I think they might do private tours for some attractions but are on the higher end of pricing.

My copy of the RS "Italy" guidebook is not the most current edition, but it does list several recommended tour guide options in numerous Italian locations - including Venice and Rome. RS has never steered me wrong in tour guide recommendations.

By booking ahead you know the price and hopefully what the tour includes. You might pay more, but the whole thing is settled.

There are in many places approved guides that are available "At the gate" so to speak. I suppose they are hit or miss, price negotiable, maybe depends how knowledgeable you are already about the site. I would avoid anyone offering tours that cannot show credentials or are just the ones "selling" tours on the street, to be handed over to a guide later.

Rick's guidebooks are hard to beat, you can preview them on Amazon or buy them from his website. No, I don't work for him, but am a satisfied user after many trips using his guidebooks--his attention to practical detail is unbeatable IMO.

What I did in my last trip (which was to Florence) was buy Rick Steves' guide to Florence and tear it into pieces. That's a guide at a reasonable price. When I was going to some famous place, I just tore out the 8 or so pages for that place and put them in my pocket. It was great.

These guided tours from toursbylocals.com are more expensive than I expected, The Roman Guys are also more than I thought but seem a little more reasonable/reputable. Subtracting the cost of the included tickets which I would have to buy anyways makes it more reasonable.

Any thoughts on using a guide vs not? Do you think Venice needs one being that it is a smaller destination? Rome even necessary?

Hi again,

If you want to book (multi) tours from The Roman Guy or Walks of Italy, I think? they may offer a discount.

Typically, for Rome, no, you don't need a guide. Rome is a walking city and an outside museum in itself. You can reserve tickets on line for attractions such as The Vatican, The Colosseum, The Borghese. Other attractions and Churches do not need a timed entry reservation. St. Peter's Basilica is free to enter - you go through a security check first.

Depending on the timing of your trips, tickets to the main attractions are hard to get or sold out. Usually booking with a tour company gets you easy, stress free access depending on the tour. But, lately it seems they've had little issues about securing tickets. But overall, Roman Guy and Walks seem to be very good.

Also, if you are really into the deep history and depth of art in the major sites, then a tour company is very good. The Roman Guy and Walks of Italy get very good reviews. Also, try Dark Rome Tours and, some mention Eternity Tours.

Each company has a toll-free number, perhaps call each one and jot down the pros and cons of price, availability, etc.

Also very important is to read each site's policy - especially about dress code and bags/backpacks. No bags allowed in Borghese. But, maybe a money belt under your clothes for the precious valuables.

The Vatican, Colosseo and St. Peter's allow small to medium bags - around 14" for example. Guards check them. If they deem they are too big and bulky, you'll have to check them; which could impede your timing or just be a hassle.

From what I understand, Venice seems to be another walking city - easy to navigate like Rome. But, again, if you want the richness of the history of the city, then that's where a guide is valuable - I believe you get your money's worth with the companies suggested.

Helpful links for self booking:
https://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?action=gototipovisitapertag&tag=museiebasilicavgarteefedegruppi&weblang=EN

https://www.coopculture.it/en/it/colosseo-e-shop.cfm

http://galleriaborghese.beniculturali.it/en/visita/visit-the-galleria-borghese

https://www.rometoolkit.com/walks/villa_borghese_walk.html < self tour

If needing to watch the pennies, coopculture offers 45-minute group tours of just the Colosseum, or 3-hour group tours of the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine for very attractive prices: € 19.00 per adult for the 45-minute tour and €29.00 per adult for the 3-hour that includes the other 2 sites. Adjusted pricing for children under 18 and under 12. Something to consider if there are openings for your dates?

https://ecm.coopculture.it/index.php?option=com_snapp&view=products&catalogid=9A88514C-DC20-8A7C-3680-0167A820AE56&snappTemplate=template3&lang=en