Our family will be in Rome at the end of November (US Thanksgiving week). Our 12 year old son is a huge Roman History fan and so we thought we would take one guided tour with a knowledgeable guide who could really make some of the ruins that he knows about from history come alive. We found out about Francesca from the RS shows and she is available on the Monday we are there. She said she could customize a tour, but typically she either does Fundamental Ancient Rome: the Colosseum and the Roman Forum (3 hours), or a combinations of San Clemente(1 hour), Capitoline Hill and the Pantheon(1 hour),Palatine Hill(1 hour), or Ostia Antica(45 minute, 1,50 euro train ride from the city; 4 hours total). My gut is to do the combination of 1 hr tours (San Clemente, Capitoline & Pantheon, Palatine Hill) b/c we can get a guide at the Colosseum (plus there is RS audio tour) and we can use RS audio tour at Ostia Antica--plus that would be more expensive use of guide with travel time. Any ideas? We have heard that it can be hard for the ruins to really come alive, and since we have a child who literally goes to sleep at night listening to history lectures on Ancient Rome, it would be worth doing one really good guided tour. Would love thoughts--thanks!
Posted by
NYC
922 posts
Francesca was my guide for San Clemente, the Colosseum and Forum, and the Borghese Gallery. I don't give a recommendation lightly, but I will say without hesitation that Francesca is the best guide I've ever had in any European city. Apart from being an exceptionally pleasant person to spend hours with, her knowledge of the areas she specializes in is extraordinary. She helped me see and appreciate things I might not have even thought about on my own, even after having spent many, many hours of research on ancient Rome beforehand. And some things she said have stayed with me and enhanced subsequent trips elsewhere in Europe, because it is true that 'all roads lead to Rome'.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
Juliette, Given the fact that your Son is such a huge Roman history fan, I'd probably take tours with Francesca covering the main sites in Rome (Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, Capitoline Museums, Pantheon, etc.) and then tour Ostia Antica on your own with the RS Audio Guide. You could perhaps customize that part to keep the costs within budget. I would recommend having a "live" Guide at the Colosseum, as it's a fairly significant site and an Audioguide doesn't offer the option to ask questions. Since you'll have to pay for a Guide there anyway, why not stay with Francesca for that part also. I've toured with Francesca, and I'd also recommend that your Son pack along a notebook and a pen. She has an incredible wealth of historical knowledge, and I'm sure you'll all be experiencing some degree of "information overload". I definitely agree with the previous reply! Francesca is one of the nicest people you'll meet, and I'm sure you'll enjoy spending time on one of her tours. Happy travels!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5557 posts
Juliette,
I don't know the guide ... but I would suggest that you include the Roman Forum in your guided portion (particularly since she said that she could do a "customized" tour). I think it is really helpful to see the Forum with a guide. One other thing you might do. Ask your son to choose.
Posted by
NYC
922 posts
I agree completely that if you can only afford (or only want) a guide for part of your Ancient Rome itinerary the Forum is the best because it can be quite baffling and difficult to make any sense of it. Francesca put it well in perspective at a comfortable pace and without making my head explode. Your son (and you) might enjoy the 'Rome Reborn' initiative being undertaken by the University of Virginia. There are both still images and videos. They are producing digital models of the city from its earliest beginnings to its fall. It's an international initiative. http://www.romereborn.virginia.edu/ Also, there are a couple fun books that have transparent overlays showing the Roman ruin as we see it today, and the overlay superimposes how it must have looked in its heyday. Google 'ancient rome transparent overlays' and you should find them easily. If your son wants to watch an exceptionally interesting and entertaining expert speak about Ancient Rome, Google 'open yale roman architecture'. Dr. Diana Kleiner's free lecture series is incredible.
Posted by
Santa Fe, NM, USA
192 posts
Francesca is the best. You can't go wrong with going with her. Her passion for Rome will be shared with you and you will come away and will remember that passion for a long time!
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
1828 posts
The more time you can spend with Francesca the better. I enjoy her tours because she has such passion for Rome and the sites really come alive with her. I loved seeing the Colosseum and the Forum with her.
Posted by
TX
515 posts
We spent several incredible hours with Francesca ... Colosseum, Via Sacra, Forum, Capitoline Hill, through the streets of Rome to the Pantheon. I would follow her anywhere. Hands down, best city tour guide ever. It has been 7 years, but I can still hear her voice and words as we stared down into the belly of the Colosseum, as we sauntered through the Forum, as we stopped 'neath the laurel trees and among the ruins, climbed that hill ... she brought that ancient world to life. My advice is to spend as much time as you can with her.