My husband and I will be traveling to Rome in the beginning of April. We are thinking of booking several walking tours either with Rome Walks or Through Eternity. We are thinking of selecting the walks that link less visited sites together. Has anyone done tours with these companies besides the obvious Vatican and Coliseum? For example, Rome Walks has tours called Peter and Paul and For Arts Sake and Through Eternity has tours called Love and Death: 2700 years of scandal. Also what is your opinion about walking tours vs. trying link these types of sights together on our own. TripAdvisor has great reviews for both companies but not much is mentioned about these alternative tours. THANKS!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23319 posts
We always find that a guide adds substantially to any tour. You can always do it on your own with a printed or audio tour but you cannot ask questions and I like to ask questions.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
It really depends on your traveling style. A guide can provide information & answer questions. But a guide also means you are locked in to a time. Do you want to take the time and energy to research the lesser known sights? I've used Through Eternity in the past and had great entertaining guides.
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
I like to do a mixtures of guided tours as well as touring on our own (or with a Rick Steves mp3 tour). We used Through Eternity in Rome for a Palatine Hill tour & found it to be very informative. We also used Through Eternity for the Colosseum/Forum & then we used Presto Tours for the Vatican. We enjoyed all 3 tours immensely. It's nice to be able to ask the tour guide questions, etc. I haven't taken any of the "alternative tours" that you mentioned but I'm sure they'll be interesting.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11357 posts
We like to mix it up and use a guide where we really feel they would add a lot of value or get us to places we couldn't navigate as well on our own, like our first time through the Colosseum, Palatino and Forum, or the Vatican Museums, Pompeii, an Umbrian Wine Tour, etc. But these are big budget items and we can't afford to do them everyday. Plus, we don't want to be tied too tightly to a schedule (Come on, Honey, finish your coffee/get out of bed/no time for lunch, we have to be at the _____ in 30 minutes to meet the guide!) I plan our own walking tours using Rick's books as well as others. A favorite is "24 Great Walks in Rome." You can plan 1 to 3 hour walking tours throughout the city, often away from the madding crowd. There is a similarly titled book for Venice.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23319 posts
We were very pleased with Angel Tours and would use them again. Since they tend to use English speaking Art students they may not be as polished as some tours but their energy level is high.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, IL, USA
20 posts
Thanks for all the responses. I agree that touer guides can add a lot of value! Anyone else with specific experience with Rome walks or through eternity? Lots of good reviews on trip advisor.