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Via Castelfidardo, Rome, Italy
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Santa Maria in Trastevere
Spanish Steps on New Year's Eve
Seating, Parco della Musica, Roma, May 2007
Statue at Sunset near Coliseum.
I have read great reviews for tour companies like Through Eternity, Angel Tours, and Presto Tours. How do these compare to the Official Vatican Tours from the Vatican itself? Those are cheaper than the private companies by a good bit, but I would not want to waste the money on getting a guide who is generally uninspired with going over the same routine. I know the private companies listed above do not generally have this problem. Can anyone give me a review on the Official Vatican Tour guides?
Thanks,
Macrina
Having used the Vatican's Service in 2001, I have no comparison to other companies; but found it good, altho I was amazed at how crammed the place was with tourists--virtually a body crush through the Sistine Chapel, which was not pleasant. It was nothing like my visit there in 1977, which was FREE and very few other people and many more areas were available to wander.
Thanks for your reply. I did go ahead and book a tour through the Vatican itself. It does not include St. Peter's, which many other of the tours do. I will post a tip about how it was when I get back!
I think you'll be happy with this decision. We purchased the recorded tour upon entry and were able to move through faster than most tour groups or linger when we wanted to. There is alot to see and you can get on info overload.
Make sure you walk up the dome - if you are capable - it was a highlight.
Halfway through the climb to the top you will get to look down at the inside of St.Peter's Basilica. It's almost like standing on a skyscraper and looking down at the streets. Here are you looking down at tiny people. If you are afraid of heights, don't look down.
I visited Rome in the summer of 2000, I don't have any pictures online from that particular trip.
During that first trip to Rome we visted Ostia Antica, we weren't even planning to go, I had seen a small mention of it in a magazine and thought it would be interesting to check out. It turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip!
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OSTIA ANTICA-
This picture is of one of my favorite places in the world!..its in Italy, about an hour from Rome, it was so unbelievable to be able to explore this ancient city entirely your own! Here's a description:
IN REPUBLICAN TIMES Ostia Was Rome's main commercial port and a military base defending the coastline and the mouth of the Tiber. The port continued to flourish under the Empire, despite the development of Portus, a new port slightly to the northwest, in the 2nd century AD. Ostia's decline began in the 4th century, when a reduction in trade was followed by the gradual silting up of the harbour. Worse was to come when malaria became endemic in the area and the city, whose population is reckoned to have been nearly 100,000 at its peak, was totally abandoned.Buried for centuries by sand, the city is remarkably well preserved. The site is less spectacular than Pompei or Herculaneum because Ostia died a gradual death, but it gives a more complete picture of life under the Roman Empire. People of all social classes and from all over the Mediterranean lived and worked here.Visitors can understand the layout of Ostia's streets almost at a glance. The main road through the town, the Decumanus Maximus, would have been filled with hurrying slaves and citizens, avoiding the jostling carriages and carts, while tradesmen pursued their business under the porticoes lining the street.The floor plans of the public buildings along the road are very clear. Many were bath houses, such as the Baths of the Cisiarii (carters) and the grander Baths of Neptune, named after their fine black-and-white floor mosaics. Beside the restored theatre, three large masks, originally part of the decoration of the stage, have been mounted on large blocks of tufa. Beneath the great brick arches that supported the semicircular tiers of seats were taverns and shops.
Located at the mouth of the Tiber, Ostia was Rome's port. Although originally founded long before the Imperial Age, what we see today is for the most part the result of Emperor Hadrian's town-planning policies. He had the old centre of the town transformed, and had whole new districts built surrounding the two harbors : the one built by Claudius to the right of the Tiber, and the hexagonal one commissioned by Trajan further upstream. A tour of Ostia will be fascinating not only because of its temples, the Theatre, the Museum and so on, but also because it gives the visitor the opportunity of understanding more about everyday life in ancient Rome, the way the houses were arranged, and the shops along the streets, the taverns and the laundries. All simple elements of daily life that tell us a great deal. The splendid umbrella pines that grow around the ruins, and a Very special light created by the gentle sea breeze, all contribute to the charm of this place.
Site is 25 km (16 miles) southwest of Rome. Excavations open winter: 9am-4.30pm daily;summer: 9am-6pm daily.
Ostia Antica-
Viale dei Romagnoli, 717
00119 Ostia Antica - Roma
Tel: 0656358099
(I didn't take any of the following Ostia Antica pictures)
The Circolo degli Artisti (artists circle) is the house of art and music underground live scene, with electronic music, hip hop, rock and other creative performances. There are two concert rooms, a dancefloor outfitted with a great sound system, a place for video projection, a pub and a pizzeria serving roman style pizza. This place is open until late, and the entrance fee varies according to the performance. Always crowded and visited by different kind of people. Unformal, don't dress jacket or tie here!
The view is elegant as you dine in the square in front of the Farnese palace. The facade was designed by Michelangelo. This restaurant was a block or so away from the main square in Campo dei Fiore.
We were a big group so we ordered a few of the antipasti to share. The spaghetti alla carbonara was delicious. The waiter even made me a special dessert!
This is a place were you feel you can spend a little more money because everything is so delicious. Even the most inexpensive bottle of wine tastes great. The roasted lamb in a tomato sauce with potatoes was delicious. It was so tender you can eat it with a spoon.
A unique tour for those of you who really like something different. The Vatican necropolis and a visit to the grave of St. Peter. It is a restricted tour with less than 200 visitors per day. You must book at least 4 to 5 months in advance, so lots of pre planning. You actually walk down and up old Vatican hill.
Even with a confirm reservation, you still might not get in. I applied in mid-december, was accepted, fax them
my credit card number and received a firm confirmation. The week before I left they told me the tour was cancel to to the holy father's 80th birthday. They did give a spot two days later than my original confirm tour.
I took it with 6 other English speaking people. We had a terrific guide who explained everything we saw very well. It is an easy walking tour. I loved it and am grateful for the privilege of being one of the selected for
this unique experience. The tour ends in the Vatican grotto. Cost about $13.00.
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