Tours of the Vatican
Nov 21, 2016 | 12:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 4,049
I'm not huge on organized tours, but about 5 years ago we did a Vatican tour with LivItaly:
http://www.livitaly.com/tours/?fwp_c...y=vatican-city
It was the small group vatican and sistine chapel tour. We got lucky and it ended up being just us. We worked with Angelo to book, he's the owner of the company. Our guide I believe was Treva, but it was long enough ago that who knows if she's still working with them.
The tour itself was great. Good pace, lots of information, but again it's been a while for me.
http://www.livitaly.com/tours/?fwp_c...y=vatican-city
It was the small group vatican and sistine chapel tour. We got lucky and it ended up being just us. We worked with Angelo to book, he's the owner of the company. Our guide I believe was Treva, but it was long enough ago that who knows if she's still working with them.
The tour itself was great. Good pace, lots of information, but again it's been a while for me.
Nov 21, 2016 | 11:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO, VCE
Programs: AA EXP >4 MM, Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,881
Having a guide is generally a good idea. I haven't needed one, so I do not have first hand experience. Walks of Italy is certainly reputable. Context Travel has an even better reputation.
Last edited by Perche; Nov 22, 2016 at 8:54 am
Nov 23, 2016 | 8:29 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Victoria BC
Programs: AC *75K MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 818
In Rome as I write this, and while I don't have firsthand experience with Walks of Italy, we used Private Tours of Rome for three tours so far this week and one more to come tomorrow. I can recommend them highly. Our tour guide is Massimiliano, with a background in History and Theology, and on Monday he took us through the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basilica -- I can truthfully say that he made the experience come to life for us. My point ... if your time is limited and you want to get the greatest experience for the time you have available, a tour with a knowledgeable guide will make ALL the difference!
Nov 23, 2016 | 9:17 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO, VCE
Programs: AA EXP >4 MM, Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,881
If you don't know Rome very well, and can't overcome some language issues, and it's a busy time of the year, A guide is necessary to really enjoy the experience. I am sure that Private Tours of Rome would make people have a good time. But I would like to point out that there are many tour guide groups in Italy, and they don't in my opinion, stack up to Context Travel.
Most tour agencies are just a loose group of citizens living all over Italy. You contact the agency, they find someone who lives in that city, who invariably knows more than the tourist, and they take them around. There is no particular requirement to be a tour guide, other than living in or near a particular city, and speaking english. Of course, they'll show you more than you could see on your own. They also allow their groups to be as large as 25 people, the guides speak from scripts that are provided to them, and with such potentially large group sizes, you may not hear much. Worse, they sometimes make you wear earphone to hear them, or the guide carries a large umbrella or flag so you don't get separated from them, and they expect tips because they barely get paid, although Italy is a country where people don't tip.
Context travel has the highest qualifications to be a tour guide, and limits group sizes to six people, unless there is a single family of larger size. The guides are mostly university professors, retired, or working on the side. They can't just be anybody because they live locally. A minimum requirement is a PhD or Masters Degree about the subject of the tour, and many years teaching about it. For example, on a tour of the Roman Forum or Colosseum you are going to go with someone with a PhD in Roman history or archeology.
If you go to the Vatican, your guide will have a PhD or Masters Degree in art history, or Theology, or both. On a cooking tour, you will go with one of the cities major chefs and licensed sommeliers. You can't be a tour guide for Context just because you are a local. It takes much more than that. A Masters Degree on the topic at a minimum, and years of teaching experience.
They have six docents who give the Vatican tour. All are native Romans. Sara has a Masters in art history, and a PhD in archeology, a consultant to the Minister of Culture, and consultant to the Vatican Museums on art restoration and exhibits. She is a Professor at the American University in Rome.
Giovanna is another Roman native with a Masters in Modern and Medieval art history, who works for the Superintendent of Art History in Rome.
Cecilia is another Roman, with a Masters in Medieval and Renaissance art history. She's been on the Vatican's teaching service for 20 years, and is also an expert in Roman History, and also has a degree in teaching.
Patrizia has a Masters in Medieval archeology, and has extensive experience overseeing excavations in Rome. She is Rome's Cultural Attache.
Vanella has a Masters in Art History, and has been an official guide for the Vatican and for the Borghese gallery for 30 years, and lectures at all of the main universities in the region.
Francesca has a Masters in Modern, Contemporary, and Baroque art. She has worked for many Roman museums and is an official Vatican Guide.
There are many tours in Rome, as you can imagine. For many, the only qualification is that you speak english, and live in Rome, and can crack a smile. They speak off a script.
I don't know the various prices, but I know some context guides. Context is the cream of the crop.
Most tour agencies are just a loose group of citizens living all over Italy. You contact the agency, they find someone who lives in that city, who invariably knows more than the tourist, and they take them around. There is no particular requirement to be a tour guide, other than living in or near a particular city, and speaking english. Of course, they'll show you more than you could see on your own. They also allow their groups to be as large as 25 people, the guides speak from scripts that are provided to them, and with such potentially large group sizes, you may not hear much. Worse, they sometimes make you wear earphone to hear them, or the guide carries a large umbrella or flag so you don't get separated from them, and they expect tips because they barely get paid, although Italy is a country where people don't tip.
Context travel has the highest qualifications to be a tour guide, and limits group sizes to six people, unless there is a single family of larger size. The guides are mostly university professors, retired, or working on the side. They can't just be anybody because they live locally. A minimum requirement is a PhD or Masters Degree about the subject of the tour, and many years teaching about it. For example, on a tour of the Roman Forum or Colosseum you are going to go with someone with a PhD in Roman history or archeology.
If you go to the Vatican, your guide will have a PhD or Masters Degree in art history, or Theology, or both. On a cooking tour, you will go with one of the cities major chefs and licensed sommeliers. You can't be a tour guide for Context just because you are a local. It takes much more than that. A Masters Degree on the topic at a minimum, and years of teaching experience.
They have six docents who give the Vatican tour. All are native Romans. Sara has a Masters in art history, and a PhD in archeology, a consultant to the Minister of Culture, and consultant to the Vatican Museums on art restoration and exhibits. She is a Professor at the American University in Rome.
Giovanna is another Roman native with a Masters in Modern and Medieval art history, who works for the Superintendent of Art History in Rome.
Cecilia is another Roman, with a Masters in Medieval and Renaissance art history. She's been on the Vatican's teaching service for 20 years, and is also an expert in Roman History, and also has a degree in teaching.
Patrizia has a Masters in Medieval archeology, and has extensive experience overseeing excavations in Rome. She is Rome's Cultural Attache.
Vanella has a Masters in Art History, and has been an official guide for the Vatican and for the Borghese gallery for 30 years, and lectures at all of the main universities in the region.
Francesca has a Masters in Modern, Contemporary, and Baroque art. She has worked for many Roman museums and is an official Vatican Guide.
There are many tours in Rome, as you can imagine. For many, the only qualification is that you speak english, and live in Rome, and can crack a smile. They speak off a script.
I don't know the various prices, but I know some context guides. Context is the cream of the crop.
Last edited by Perche; Nov 23, 2016 at 11:07 am
Nov 23, 2016 | 11:20 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 4,049
Context's prices aren't bad. Higher than most, but in line with the quality they offer. I would say that for tourists who aren't specifically into whatever they're viewing as a hobby could be just fine with a local who happens to be a tour guide. Knowing more than the tourist is generally plenty. But if you're really into the venue, art, food, whatever, using an agency like Context will likely be better as it will be in line with your expectations.
For instance, I could take an art tour with just about anyone. I'm not particularly into art or knowledgeable, so anyone that can give me the high level info while we look at things is fine by me. But I love food, and food tours, especially on my first time somewhere - so I want a great guide that knows more than I'll know by the end of the trip.
I will say that Italy is one place where I'd recommend a food tour in every place you visit. Particularly for Americans who are mostly exposed to Italian-American food in the US, food tours in Italy really get at the very local and regional styles.
For instance, I could take an art tour with just about anyone. I'm not particularly into art or knowledgeable, so anyone that can give me the high level info while we look at things is fine by me. But I love food, and food tours, especially on my first time somewhere - so I want a great guide that knows more than I'll know by the end of the trip.
I will say that Italy is one place where I'd recommend a food tour in every place you visit. Particularly for Americans who are mostly exposed to Italian-American food in the US, food tours in Italy really get at the very local and regional styles.
Nov 23, 2016 | 4:17 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 522
Since Ms. Ruggeri was involved with them I always figured they were a good outfit. (I used her site Revealed Rome for a lot of my trips.)
From first hand experience I too can recommend Context Travel, and also from research I've done I'm impressed with a particular Context Travel guide names Agnes Crawford. And she also gives private tours independently of Context Travel. Links are seen on this FT post. (And on that post there's also linked another FT thread with more recommendations for guides).
Nov 25, 2016 | 8:11 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Victoria BC
Programs: AC *75K MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 818
I cannot speak of any of the tour guide companies as you can, but I can unequivocally state that, based on your description, the four tours we took with Massimiliano at Private Tours of Rome are probably at par, if not better, than what you describe. As the name says, it was a private tour, so it was just two of us; no large groups with microphones, no scripts, and definitely no expectation of tips. Massimiliano is a retired PhD professor of Theology and (Art?) History and his knowledge and passion of the subjects were evident. Plus he had a way of making things interesting and accessible to us without becoming academic. I only mention this because Context is priced at the high-end and I would hate for other readers to eliminate other less expensive options just because they are fearful of the quality of what they might receive. The key I think is to do your research. We researched this company and knew that the guide came highly recommended before we hired him, so I was pretty sure of the quality I was going to receive. Coincidentally, the other top guide for this company is also named Francesca, also a retired professor, and from what others say, just as knowledgeable and passionate about her areas of expertise. Most likely not the Francesca you describe though.
BTW Perche, thanks for all the information you gave me before my trip, it was very helpful. I will provide an update to my original thread in a few days, but I wanted to say thank you now, while it's on my mind 😀👍
BTW Perche, thanks for all the information you gave me before my trip, it was very helpful. I will provide an update to my original thread in a few days, but I wanted to say thank you now, while it's on my mind 😀👍
If you don't know Rome very well, and can't overcome some language issues, and it's a busy time of the year, A guide is necessary to really enjoy the experience. I am sure that Private Tours of Rome would make people have a good time. But I would like to point out that there are many tour guide groups in Italy, and they don't in my opinion, stack up to Context Travel.
Most tour agencies are just a loose group of citizens living all over Italy. You contact the agency, they find someone who lives in that city, who invariably knows more than the tourist, and they take them around. There is no particular requirement to be a tour guide, other than living in or near a particular city, and speaking english. Of course, they'll show you more than you could see on your own. They also allow their groups to be as large as 25 people, the guides speak from scripts that are provided to them, and with such potentially large group sizes, you may not hear much. Worse, they sometimes make you wear earphone to hear them, or the guide carries a large umbrella or flag so you don't get separated from them, and they expect tips because they barely get paid, although Italy is a country where people don't tip.
Context travel has the highest qualifications to be a tour guide, and limits group sizes to six people, unless there is a single family of larger size. The guides are mostly university professors, retired, or working on the side. They can't just be anybody because they live locally. A minimum requirement is a PhD or Masters Degree about the subject of the tour, and many years teaching about it. For example, on a tour of the Roman Forum or Colosseum you are going to go with someone with a PhD in Roman history or archeology.
If you go to the Vatican, your guide will have a PhD or Masters Degree in art history, or Theology, or both. On a cooking tour, you will go with one of the cities major chefs and licensed sommeliers. You can't be a tour guide for Context just because you are a local. It takes much more than that. A Masters Degree on the topic at a minimum, and years of teaching experience.
They have six docents who give the Vatican tour. All are native Romans. Sara has a Masters in art history, and a PhD in archeology, a consultant to the Minister of Culture, and consultant to the Vatican Museums on art restoration and exhibits. She is a Professor at the American University in Rome.
Giovanna is another Roman native with a Masters in Modern and Medieval art history, who works for the Superintendent of Art History in Rome.
Cecilia is another Roman, with a Masters in Medieval and Renaissance art history. She's been on the Vatican's teaching service for 20 years, and is also an expert in Roman History, and also has a degree in teaching.
Patrizia has a Masters in Medieval archeology, and has extensive experience overseeing excavations in Rome. She is Rome's Cultural Attache.
Vanella has a Masters in Art History, and has been an official guide for the Vatican and for the Borghese gallery for 30 years, and lectures at all of the main universities in the region.
Francesca has a Masters in Modern, Contemporary, and Baroque art. She has worked for many Roman museums and is an official Vatican Guide.
There are many tours in Rome, as you can imagine. For many, the only qualification is that you speak english, and live in Rome, and can crack a smile. They speak off a script.
I don't know the various prices, but I know some context guides. Context is the cream of the crop.
Most tour agencies are just a loose group of citizens living all over Italy. You contact the agency, they find someone who lives in that city, who invariably knows more than the tourist, and they take them around. There is no particular requirement to be a tour guide, other than living in or near a particular city, and speaking english. Of course, they'll show you more than you could see on your own. They also allow their groups to be as large as 25 people, the guides speak from scripts that are provided to them, and with such potentially large group sizes, you may not hear much. Worse, they sometimes make you wear earphone to hear them, or the guide carries a large umbrella or flag so you don't get separated from them, and they expect tips because they barely get paid, although Italy is a country where people don't tip.
Context travel has the highest qualifications to be a tour guide, and limits group sizes to six people, unless there is a single family of larger size. The guides are mostly university professors, retired, or working on the side. They can't just be anybody because they live locally. A minimum requirement is a PhD or Masters Degree about the subject of the tour, and many years teaching about it. For example, on a tour of the Roman Forum or Colosseum you are going to go with someone with a PhD in Roman history or archeology.
If you go to the Vatican, your guide will have a PhD or Masters Degree in art history, or Theology, or both. On a cooking tour, you will go with one of the cities major chefs and licensed sommeliers. You can't be a tour guide for Context just because you are a local. It takes much more than that. A Masters Degree on the topic at a minimum, and years of teaching experience.
They have six docents who give the Vatican tour. All are native Romans. Sara has a Masters in art history, and a PhD in archeology, a consultant to the Minister of Culture, and consultant to the Vatican Museums on art restoration and exhibits. She is a Professor at the American University in Rome.
Giovanna is another Roman native with a Masters in Modern and Medieval art history, who works for the Superintendent of Art History in Rome.
Cecilia is another Roman, with a Masters in Medieval and Renaissance art history. She's been on the Vatican's teaching service for 20 years, and is also an expert in Roman History, and also has a degree in teaching.
Patrizia has a Masters in Medieval archeology, and has extensive experience overseeing excavations in Rome. She is Rome's Cultural Attache.
Vanella has a Masters in Art History, and has been an official guide for the Vatican and for the Borghese gallery for 30 years, and lectures at all of the main universities in the region.
Francesca has a Masters in Modern, Contemporary, and Baroque art. She has worked for many Roman museums and is an official Vatican Guide.
There are many tours in Rome, as you can imagine. For many, the only qualification is that you speak english, and live in Rome, and can crack a smile. They speak off a script.
I don't know the various prices, but I know some context guides. Context is the cream of the crop.