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The Roman Guy

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“ Fantastic experience on two separate tours: Private tour of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill with Giovanni on day one. ” in 20 reviews

“ Our first tour was for the guided tour with skip the line tickets of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. ” in 20 reviews

“ With this tour you also get special access to St Peter's Basilica without having to get into another line. ” in 9 reviews

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Testaccio, Ostiense

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This review is for Rome in a Day Small Group Tour with Vatican and Colosseum. Prepare to do a lot of walking, over 10 miles, which we knew was going to happen. One complaint we had was that there is way too much to take in on this all-day tour. You are constantly RUSHING with little time to stop at most of the sites. You need to spend at least 2 days seeing the many different locations on this excursion to enjoy it. The Vatican Museum part was a disappointing fast-paced walk through it. We had no time to stop and look at anything. The tour guide was knowledgeable with interesting facts about the different sites we saw.

VATICAN NIGHT TOUR-NOT WORTH IT! Guide was a young female with a heavy Italian accent,which is fine for general conversation, but terrible for amplified discussion about antiquities. First 30min of 2 1/2 hr tour wasted just to gain entry to facility. There were no lines to avoid by going on the tour as the only line was for group tours! Individuals could walk-in with no line. Another 15min were wasted with showing the group black & white pictures in a laminated notebook (instead of viewing the actual antiquity that was displayed nearby). Entry to the Sistine Chapel, keynote of the tour, was delayed until only 10min remained of the scheduled visit. Recommendation: pay regular admission with an audio guide and save $100 per couple. Mike Brown

August 16, 2023 - LOOK BEFORE YOU BOOK - SOMETHING ROTTEN IN ROMA! The reason for this email is to alert both you and your readers about using extreme caution doing business with The Tour Guy AKA The Roman Guy. There are many good companies out there such as Viators for example that are up front and follow good business practices. We booked a tour of the Coliseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum in Rome, Italy online through The Tour Guy website on May 29th, 2023 at 3:00 pm for a tour on September 12th, 2023. This tour required payment up front, which we paid $699.00 at that time. Saturday, August 5th, 2023 we received a text from "The Tour Guy" advising the tour we had paid for months before was cancelled and a new time slot was available for that morning at 11:00am. We were asked, do you accept or reject the new time. We advised we reject, as we had another tour booked already for the Vatican at that time. We were then told we are sorry; but there are no refunds for this tour!! We went back and forth, but they said our policy is no refunds or changes. THEY MADE THE CHANGE, NOT US! We then rushed to book another tour of the Coliseum with Viator; which was not available for the time we wanted months earlier and that was the reason we went with the Tour Guy. Since we are leaving in less than three weeks and have read others reviews that if you did not book well in advance, you would not be able to get the tour. The next day Sunday, August 6th, the Tour Guy sent us a text saying a one time offer for the same time that our original tour which was booked and then cancelled, was available and asked if we wanted to book it? NOOOOOO! We rushed, booked and paid for another tour elsewhere. There are plenty of tour companies out there that practice transparent and safe business practices and are truly there to provide the customer with the best experience possible, in addition to the tour itself. The Tour Guy communicated primarily with us via text. I called and called and each time the automated service tells you to email them. We did and same response via text. Finally they answered their phone, but was the same person sending the text. So needless to say, same answer. They said no refunds because we book and pay for tickets with the Coliseum in advance. If that was really true, then our tickets for 5 people would have been solidified; but instead they were cancelled by this company! The tour would not be cancellable if tickets were in hand by this company, especially since we booked the tour months before! LOOK BEFORE YOU BOOK Thanks and good luck!

August 16, 2023 - LOOK BEFORE YOU BOOK The reason for this email is to alert both you and fellow travelers about using extreme caution doing business with The Tour Guy AKA The Roman Guy. There are many good companies out there such as Viator for example, that are up front and follow good business practices. We booked a tour of the Coliseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum in Rome, Italy online through The Tour Guy website on May 29th, 2023 at 3:00 pm for a tour on September 12th, 2023. This tour required payment up front, which we paid $699.00 at that time. Saturday, August 5th, 2023 we received a text from "The Tour Guy" advising the tour we had paid for months before was cancelled and a new time slot was available for that morning at 11:00am. We were asked, do you accept or reject the new time. We advised we reject, as we had another tour booked already for the Vatican at that time. We were then told we are sorry, but there are no refunds for this tour!! We went back and forth, but they said our policy is no refunds or changes. THEY MADE THE CHANGE, NOT US! We then rushed to book another tour of the Coliseum with Viator; which was not available for the time we wanted months earlier and that was the reason we went with the Tour Guy. Since we are leaving in less than three weeks and have read others reviews that if you did not book well in advance, you would not be able to get the tour. The next day Sunday, August 6th, the Tour Guy sent us a text saying a one time offer for the same time that our original tour which was booked and then cancelled, was available and asked if we wanted to book it? NOOOOOO! We rushed, booked and paid for another tour elsewhere. There are plenty of tour companies out there that practice transparent and safe business practices and are truly there to provide the customer with the best experience possible, in addition to the tour itself. The Tour Guy communicated primarily with us via text. I called and called and each time the automated service tells you to email them. We did and same response via text. Finally they answered their phone, but was the same person sending the text. So needless to say, same answer. Look before you book!!

My husband and I arrived in Rome mid February 2020, at the beginning of Covid. Despite our hesitance to make our trip, we took our chances. We booked a private tour with an Angel, Faby. Her stories of history transcended us into time. Her joyful spirit and patience with our questions was outstanding. My family of seven will be arriving in June and would LOVE to reunite with her for another memorable tour. Can you please have her message me. Thank you

My friends and I spent a couple of days in Rome before boarding our cruise ship to go through the Greek islands so we booked a full day tour titled "Rome in a day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums" with the Tour Guy. If you have a full day to explore this amazing city I highly, highly recommend you take this tour as you'll get a great taste of all the beauty this city has to offer. First and foremost I have to give a huge shout out to our amazing tour guide RAF. Thanks so much for an amazing day. It was one of the highlights of our vacation. I hope your manager sees this and realizes what a gem he has in you! This tour guide was AMAZING and so professional, personable and passionate in sharing her knowledge about all the sites we saw .... And you will see a lot of sites - the Sistine chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman forum, the Trevi fountain, Palazzo Novara, the Colosseum and more! We loved having a very comfortable external earbud that looped around one ear which gave us the ability to easily hear everything Raf had to say. Reserve this trip and get your walking shoes on for an unforgettable experience.

See all photos from Shelley B. for The Roman Guy

Fantastic experience on two separate tours: Private tour of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill with Giovanni on day one. He was very engaging and full of interesting historical facts. Day two we had an early start of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel and back door entrance to St. Peter's Basilica with Eleanora. She was so passionate about her Roman history and fun/funny facts. Both were very memorable. The "fast pass" experience saved us so much time waiting in long lines. So worth the money!

This is a review averaging two tours - one would be no stars or negative stars if we could give them. The other 4 or 5 stars. The thing about these tour companies is they are hit or miss based on the guide. So you're taking a real chance. On your vacation,. Often on a one time thing. Our Colosseum and forum guide was lousy and incompetent. There was nothing she told us that you wouldn't have gotten with 30 minutes of homework ahead of time. At the Colosseum, she bungled the tour and so, although it was an arena floor tour, we were unable to visit the floor. For those of us looking to have that view of the Colosseum, it was a bummer. For families who had kids who are really excited about the whole gladiator thing it was devastating. And if you are a parent who enticed your kid on a multi hour tour because of the arena floor - Well, you can imagine how that went. Contrary to some reviews, the company was responsive about the problem and offered a prorated refund. But not everyone has either the time or the desire to visit the Colosseum twice. We did the private Vatican tour by contrast, and the guide was exceptional. She (ask for Alessia) is an art historian and really brought the rooms in the Vatican museum to life. She also prepared us for what we would see in the Sistine Chapel. And I think we got things from that experience that we would not have gotten from either research or an app. She made the experience what it was. Everyone says that you should get a guide in Rome. I don't think this is great advice. It totally depends. There are apps you can get for a few bucks online they will help you navigate the Forum or figure out Palentine hill. And the Colosseum is an easy one to learn about ahead of time. The tickets are not a huge mystery. Just go to the OFFICIAL website and you can get squared away, and there are plenty of discounts for kids under 18 and so forth. If all the tickets are sold out, then the guide may be the way to go simply just for access when you need it. If you have the means a private tour can be great, but do some diligence ahead of time . Ideally figure out particular guides or smaller companies that people can refer you to. With these large companies it's not that they don't want you to have a good experience, but they know there won't be a lot of repeat business, and that affects the business model. And know why you want to do the tour. If it's just tickets, you're paying a huge mark up. If you really want to learn the history, make sure you're gonna have a guide who can do that. Otherwise, it is an expensive dice roll. We did hear some great guides at the Colosseum and the forum bringing it to life. If that really matters to you, don't leave it to chance.

I don't have an account on Trip Advisor but would like to leave a review because we really enjoyed our tours. I was traveling with my Mom and it was a last minute decision. I booked the tours easily online and thank goodness I did as post covid, many things book up fast! Our first tour was for the guided tour with skip the line tickets of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. We booked a 9:45am tour and we arrived early to our meeting point which was not difficult to find and quick to reach with Metro. We stayed near the Barberini stop so it was quick. Many other tours were meeting there and the staff were easily visible and professional. Our guide was Enza Broccoli. She was fantastic. She was professional, energetic, humble and unassuming. Also conducted herself very diplomatically around other guides who were taking a little too long at certain stops. We covered all the must see things within the 2 hour window and it went by fast!! Skip the line was a must as I remember being in that long hot line years ago when I came as a college student. She was even able to get us into a "hidden" room that was by permission only. Thank goodness for Enza cuz I'd be lost in this endless treasure trove. Affordable and time-saving esp if you are planning a short trip. If I would do anything differently in the future, I'd probably book an early morning tour (one of those breakfast ones before opening) with the company so there is less of the crowds around me. Thank you Roman Guy! I'll cover the other tour in a separate review.

See all photos from Kuishingal F. for The Roman Guy

ALBA!!! She was an amazing tour guide. We did the full day Rome tour and it was unbelievable, much more than we expected. I can't imagine a more interesting tour. We used this company for our intro to Rome, very good choice. Alba is an archeologist and knew the answers to every question. She made history come to life and made everything interesting. We did more that day than the rest of our week in Rome. The tour was well planned and very professional. My feet did hurt that night but it was worth it. For the rest of the week we made plans and restaurant choices based on the information she gave us from our day, the best tiramisu, the best fried artichoke, great restaurants, we visited sites she suggested like the Jewish ghetto, a bohemian area... we will remember that day when we think of Rome. Thank you Alba for being so amazing!

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

The One Tour You Must Take To See The Best Of Rome

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• Destinations
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A tour is the one activity I recommend to anyone visiting a new city, especially one with as much history as Rome. It sets your visit up for success, giving you details about a destination you may not otherwise know, and you’re likely to learn a few tips along the way, including where to shop, eat, or grab a drink.

We had scheduled only two days in Rome during our trip to Italy, and I was hesitant to fill one of them with a full-day tour, but I kept eyeing The Roman Guy’s Rome in a Day Tour and decided to book it. I was traveling with my 9-year-old twin boys and knew I needed backup to engage them in the history of this great city. 

We were hosted by The Tour Guy, but any tour that holds the attention of jet-lagged 9-year-olds for nearly 8 hours is nothing short of amazing. Here’s why you will love it, too.

Check out these boutique hotels in Rome for your next trip to the city. 

Explore The Best Of Rome

The vatican and colosseum.

The Vatican and Colosseum top every Rome visitor’s list, and while both were busy the day we toured, I can’t imagine navigating either on my own while absorbing all the details and knowledge only a tour guide can offer. The tour thoroughly explored both, and I wasn’t left wishing for more time in either place.

The only piece missing from the Colosseum, in my opinion, was the underground tour. This is a tour you can book separately on the Colosseum’s website or with The Roman Guy .

If a full-day tour is too much, using a tour to visit the Vatican is essential. There’s just an immense amount to see and understand, and, frankly, physically navigate, making almost any tour a great value.

Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, And Roman Forum

These were somewhat unexpected treats during the tour. Yes, the webpage mentioned we would see them, but I wasn’t sure how much time we would have at any of them or if we would just be walking by. 

We were able to go into The Pantheon, ate lunch by the Trevi Fountain, and learned quite a bit of history at Piazza Navona, making note to come back and enjoy more time at the surrounding cafes.

The last portion of our day-long tour took us through the Roman Forum en route to the Colosseum. While we had walked past the area when we arrived in the city, our guided walk really opened our eyes to what the area once was and the importance it played.

Needless to say, these experiences really took the trip over the top and solidified that my decision to book this tour was a good one.

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Navigate With Ease And Skip The Lines

The ease of being escorted from place to place and not having to worry about buying tickets, figuring out where and when to enter, or how to navigate from location to location takes away a significant amount of stress and makes the experience immensely more enjoyable.

Being part of a tour also allows you to skip the lines that those winging it on their own must endure. We started the day at the Vatican and met across the street from where we entered. It didn’t seem like much until we made our way inside. I’m not sure I can adequately describe the chaotic scenario of the wall-to-wall people all trying to figure out how to enter and when. It was amazing to just be able to relax and wait for our guide to show us the way.

Our guide also handled our tickets for the Pantheon and Colosseum and organized our entry, so we were able to simply enjoy the experience. 

Knowledgeable And Enthusiastic Guides

Learning the entire history of ancient Rome, the Roman Empire, Christianity, and the Catholic Church, not to mention the role of key figures like Julius Caesar, Nero, the many Popes, and even Michelangelo and Raphael, is of course impossible unless you’re someone with multiple degrees on these specific subjects. 

Our guide, Carolina, created an environment where we were able to take in, understand, and appreciate the history in a wonderful and engaging way and learn a lot — at least things my world history class seemed to miss.

Carolina carried pictures and drawings with her throughout the tour, bringing different areas, like the Roman Forum, back to life to help us better envision what it used to be. 

She also used downtime wisely, priming us and explaining what we were about to see and its importance. 

You know a guide is amazing when you want to take them with you at the end of the day. Another sign of a great guide: the ability to hold the attention of 9-year-old boys. Not only did she engage them; they were on her heels the entire time, occasionally carrying the flag she used for us to easily locate her. The boys were always front and center and recounted the history they learned throughout the rest of our trip.

Also, as any parent understands, having someone who can answer the many questions children have when visiting a new place is invaluable. It saves you from googling or thumbing through a guidebook, and let’s be honest, they’re always going to believe someone else more than their parents. 

See History You’d Otherwise Miss

An original seat in the Colosseum, a portion of the Piazza Navona stadium, and every detail beneath you and around you — it’s difficult to describe how much we would have just walked past without knowing it if we were exploring on our own. In a city where there’s a story behind practically every detail, it’s wonderful to have a guide drawing attention to key pieces.

Small Group Size

There were only 13 people in our group. The small group size meant we never felt like we were missing anything. An audio device and earset were provided at the start of the tour, so when we chose to linger in different areas, we always could hear our guide and didn’t miss any of her insight. The maximum tour group for The Roman Guy is 15 people.

Pro Tip: Wear Comfortable Shoes

This tour requires a lot of walking and standing. You’re also walking on uneven surfaces at times. Wearing comfortable shoes is a must, but also know your limitations. It’s not for everyone. While you do take breaks, it’s a lot. Also, the time of year you visit could make a difference. We visited in July and it was very hot. Not Midwest humidity hot, but still hot. 

Pro Tip: Bring A Water Bottle

Rome has hundreds of beautiful water fountains throughout the city thanks to the Romans. While you can use your hands to sip, bring a water bottle , especially if you’re visiting during summer. Most of the fountains are constantly running, and while it seems odd to say the water tastes amazing, it truly does.

Missy Glassmaker is an Emmy-nominated producer and writer. She spent most of her career in broadcast television news, working in Providence, Rhode Island; Knoxville, Tennessee; and St. Louis, Missouri. Missy enjoys cooking, entertaining, and of course, traveling. Her favorite travel companions are her twin sons, who are always ready to explore.

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Colosseum Arena Floor Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Rome in a Day Small Group Tour with Vatican and Colosseum

Skip-the-line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St Peter's

Skip-the-line Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

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The Roman Guy: My Favorite Tours in Europe

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As much as I love exploring destinations on my own, there are certain times when I enjoy the convenience of a group tour – ESPECIALLY when traveling in high-season. Nothing’s better than avoiding the long lines in the hot summer sun and also getting a chance to see exclusive sights that are not normally accessible to the public.

I did just that in Italy and Paris and had the most amazing experience. Find out why I recommend taking a tour from The Roman Guy the next time you’re in Europe!

The Roman Guy Tours Review

For my birthday in 2018, my mom came to visit me in England. It was her first time traveling to Europe and it was also her birthday. We decided to take a trip to Italy so we could celebrate together for the first time in years.

We decided to visit two of the most popular cities in Italy , Rome and Venice , and to make the most of the trip, booked a few tours.

Read our 10 step packing guide for a trip to Europe !

Why Take a City Tour?

As a long-term traveler , most people assume I’d never take tours and would prefer to explore on my own. While I don’t frequently go on tours, for me it all depends on the location and tour company.

Some countries or cities are better to explore on your own, but certain activities are best enjoyed as part of a tour group. Italy is one of those places, particularly in Rome and Venice, during high season.

The lines were so long everywhere we went!

Unless you’re planning to spend a week in each city, it’s advisable to book a group tour or buy a “skip the line” ticket in advance (but keep in mind these advance tickets can still result in a long wait!).

We saw long lines of travelers with “skip the line” tickets discouraged at the long lines that awaited them. I was so happy we were on a tour – especially when standing in the blistering summer sun,

A group tour is definitely worth it, otherwise you’ll spend a good portion of your trip standing in line and this is not a good way to spend your day if vacation time is limited.

Additionally, we were traveling during the high season, so I knew there would be a lot of foot traffic, and a tour would allow us to move more quickly through the must-see sites.

Finding the Best Tour Company

It’s so important that you do your research beforehand and find a reputable company with good reviews. Make sure to read the reviews carefully as the things that someone might complain about are the things that you enjoy.

In 2014, I spent my birthday in Rome and took two The Roman Guy tours . It was such a good experience that in 2018 I enjoyed two of their newest Italy tours.

In the past four years they’ve expanded to more cities than Rome and offer a broader range of tours, too.

They were several highlights of our Italian trip, so I knew I had to share my experience:

Touring the Colosseum

First on our list was The Roman Guy Top Levels Colosseum Tour . This is my third time visiting Rome and I made many mistakes on my first couple of visits. One of them was to take a cheap tour from one of the guides just outside the Colosseum. We were with at least fifty other people and rushed through as fast as possible so they could start another tour.

With The Roman Guy’s tour I was amazed that there was no waiting in line. I repeat: no lines! This is unheard of in Rome. After an introduction outside the Colosseum we were escorted right into the entrance. Considering we were there in high season, the quick entry made the tour worthwhile from the start.

As you can expect, I was a little wary about this tour and worried it would be the same as the previous one. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This is not just your average tour.

The guide actually had keys for the exclusive access to explore the higher areas in the Colosseum. It was VIP access!

I felt like a celebrity to have such private access to one of the most famous historical monuments in the world. It felt like we had the entire Colosseum all to ourselves, which is rare, considering how popular of a site this is to visit. I’m spoiled now, and I want this kind of experience everywhere I go.

IT WAS PHENOMENAL and my mom, and I were all blown away by the experience.

And we weren’t the only ones. This is what one TFG reader said about the tour, “The Roman Guy colosseum and Roman forum tour was a stand out in the tours we did! We saw the underground and upper tiers.. even fifth level!!! The Roman Guy.. brilliant!”

After about an hour and a half in the Colosseum, we had a bathroom break before continuing on to the Roman Forum. I was happy the tour included two of the main sites giving us a chance to maximize our time in Rome. The Roman Forum was SO GOOD, and we all left in awe.

Overall, the tour was so in-depth and engaging. Flaminia, our tour guide, was so wonderful. While other tours whizzed right past us while we covered the grounds thoroughly. By the end of our tour, we were hot, exhausted, and thoroughly satisfied with our experience. I don’t want to travel without The Roman Guy ever again!

What’s Included in the Tour

This Roman Colosseum tour is three hours long with a maximum group size of 15 people for a more intimate experience. This tour includes:

• Skip-the-line Colosseum entrance tickets
• Access to the top levels of the Colosseum (third, fourth, and fifth tiers)
• An expert, English-speaking Colosseum guide
• Access to the ancient Roman Forum

The tour costs $100.29 for adults, $94.32 for children age 7-17, and $46.56 for children 6 and under.

What to Know Before Touring the Colosseum

There are a few things to know before heading to the Colosseum, whether or not you take a tour. First, there are bathrooms inside the Colosseum and right outside the back entrance. I recommend using one of these so you can focus on the tour once you get in.

There are also a few things to bring and leave behind before you visit. First, the rules say that backpacks aren’t allowed. However, many people had small backpacks and seemed to get through fine.

You’ll also want to bring comfortable shoes with a sturdy sole. The steps and floor are uneven and hard to walk on. The majority of travelers either wear sneakers or comfortable, sturdy sandals.

One of the most important things to note is that groups always have preferential treatment over individual reservations. There are security checks that delay the lines, so if you’re not with a group and you don’t have an reservation, ticket, or some type of pass, you can expect to wait in line for quite awhile – especially during the high season.

On my previous trip I visited the Vatican with the Roman Guy as well. One of the readers says, “We did the Vatican and it was outstanding. We had the best time with our Roman Guy Tours in Rome.”

Can’t recommend them enough!

Touring St. Mark’s Basilica and St. Mark’s Square

The second The Roman Guy tour we did was in Venice. It was the Hidden Venice Express Tour with Gondola Ride , which included entry to St. Mark’s Basilica, a visit to St. Mark’s Square, and a 30-minute gondola ride. It was such an amazing way to see Venice!

Because we were a part of a tour, we walked right in (no lines!) and the guide explained the history of St. Mark’s as our eyes tried to take in the beauty of the gold mosaic lined interior. This church is truly breathtaking and a must-see on any trip to Venice.

The paintings, the detail, the history – it’s absolutely remarkable!

You’re not allowed to take pictures inside so take in the moment and take some mental pictures.

Another thing you’re not allowed to do here is wear sleeveless tops and shorts, dresses, or skirts above the knees. This was the only place I actually saw this enforced. I kept my Anatomie Kenya Jacket in my purse and placed it over my sleeveless maxi dress so I could cover my shoulders to enter the cathedral. When I exited, I put it back into my purse.

After St. Mark’s, we walked through the back streets of Venice and were shocked at how quiet it was just a few minutes walk away from St. Mark’s Square. Our guide, Elenora, explained that most people only come to Venice for a day and only view the area directly in St. Mark’s Basilica and the walk to the Rialto Bridge.

Along with the basilica and St. Mark’s Square, we explored amazing side streets. While the church and square was incredibly impressive, Venice in its entirety was so stunning my eyes were overwhelmed with all the beauty.

I highly recommend you walk around the different islands south and east of St Marks. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with Venice in an entirely new way.

The walking tour was two hours, and it finished with a dreamy 30 minute gondola ride, which I shared with you on Facebook Live in the above video. This is an amazing value because the gondola tours alone are more than the entire cost of the Venice Express Tour . It’s an awesome deal!

This Venice tour is two and a half hours long with a maximum group size of 18 people for a more intimate experience. This tour includes:

• Skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica
• A tour of St Mark’s Square
• A tour of The Roman Guy’s favorite hidden gems spread throughout Venice
• A tour of the Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal
• A 30-minute gondola ride

The tour costs $70.44 for adults, $64.47 for seniors, $58.50 for students with I.D., $52.53 for children age 7-17, and $40.59 for children 6 and under.

What to Know Before Touring Venice

I picked up a few tips while visiting Venice, and I think they’re essential to know before your trip. First, St. Mark’s is a place of worship, so pictures are not allowed inside the basilica. Additionally, it’s important to dress respectfully when visiting this place of worship.

Unlike the Pantheon in Rome, the dress code was strictly enforced for St. Mark’s Basilica. I wore my Toad maxi dress, which covered my knees yet was light and comfortable enough to wear on a hot and humid day. To walk into the Basilica, I threw on my Anatomie Kenya Jacket to cover my shoulders and stored it in my Rebecca Minkoff Julian backpack when I exited the church.

There were many tourists who wore shorts or sleeveless tops and they were able to cover themselves with a wrap to walk inside the church. This is an option if you prefer to wear shorter clothing for the heat.

The guide was also helpful in sharing tips. First, she mentioned that there are many fake Italian leather products sold that are actually made in China, not Italy. She said that you can’t get an Italian leather handbag for under 50 euro, so if you find one under that amount, it’s probably a fake.

Additionally, the guide explained that the square can flood in November and December during high tides. While raised wooden walkways are placed, it may be advisable to wear rubber rain boots during this time, just in case.

Touring Versailles

One of the things I didn’t realize is that The Roman Guy now also offers tours in Paris too: The Paris Guy.

After visiting Italy and Switzerland, we finished the trip in Paris. Here we took The Paris Guy’s Golden Versailles Palace and Garden Tour .

France isn’t only known for the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. It’s also known for its revolutions and strikes. Because of this, Versailles was closed the day we visited, but the gardens were still open to visitors.

This isn’t your standard garden. Rather than flowers, the garden is home to statues and countless fountains. It was absolutely beautiful to see, and learning about the history behind the fountains, statues, and kings made the trip even more valuable.

Our guide, Z, was one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever met. He provided extensive information from the beginning to the very end. He was an art major with a history minor, so it was interesting to hear the story of Versailles from someone who is passionate about the topic.

This Versaille tour is three hours long with a maximum group size of 12 people for a more intimate experience. This tour includes:

• Skip-the-line tickets to the Palace of Versailles
• Access to the Hall of Mirrors and Grand Apartments
• An introduction to the Gardens of Versailles
• Free time to explore the gardens
• Train tickets from Paris to Versailles and back

The tour costs $106.11 for adults, $100.15 for seniors, $94.19 for students with I.D., $88.53 for children age 7-17, and $40.54 for children 6 and under.

What to Know Before Touring Versailles

Keep in mind that the gardens are huge. They’re so expansive you may even need to use Google Maps to navigate your way around.

Additionally, as I experienced, the palace is occasionally closed due to strikes. If exploring the palace is a must for you, consider double checking its hours the day of.

Lastly, the fountains are turned off at noon on Tuesdays and on the weekends. They’re supposed to be turned back on at 3:00pm, but that doesn’t always happen. Plan around this if you’re determined to see the fountains in action.

Thank you to The Roman Guy for treating us to these tours! I’d previously taken two of their other Rome tours in 2014 and I’m so glad that I was able to partner with them again. They have such a wide selection of tours all over Italy and have even expanded into Paris. I highly recommend them!

They’re definitely TFG Approved!

Have you ever taken a Roman Guy tour? Share your feedback below!

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• How to Choose the Best Shoes for Europe
• First Time Travel Tips for Europe
• Packing List for 2 Weeks in Europe

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• The Best Carry-on Suitcases for Europe

I hope you liked this post on my review of The Roman Guy tours. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Please note: I was a guest of the Roman Guy tours but all opinions expressed are my own.

I chatted with Paulo @ Roman Guy as I wanted the VIP tour – top levels, arena floor and underground and Roman Forum for 4 people. However it apparently is sold out. 3 of us have visited before in 1999 and 2002, however my daughter’s husband of 1 year is an architect and this is his first visit. This being said, which tour do you recommend? Arena floor and 1st 2 levels OR 3rd, 4th 5th tiers tour? OR is there another tour company who might be able to customize for us?

Hi Theese, I am sorry to hear that they are not available to do a tour for you. I am afraid that this is the only tour company I have used so can’t offer any suggestions for an alternative. For the best tour suggestions, I would highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Its a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their advice and travel tips and Italy is a popular destination so they will be able to help you. Sorry I could not have been of more help. Have an amazing trip to Italy!

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The Roman Guy Tours

Are these private tours the way to go? It seems some are way over our budget but maybe we can do one private and one group in Rome. Would early morning private tour at Vatican make the most sense in July?

If you have not already viewed this one, https://youtu.be/IxHpQ-A9hs4 check it out.

Some good info and tips about preparing for and visiting the Vatican. (Unfortunately, the background music is a little loud.)

Private (exclusive) tours will be more expensive with any tour company compared to a group tour.

The Roman Guy appears to keep to small groups.

Also, for comparison, look at https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/ which has smallish groups

Or, https://darkrome.com/

Whichever tour you decide to do, yes, a very early one in the month of July, to sort of beat the heat and compete with the crowds of peak season, would be best.

As another consideration, if you're deciding to take another guided tour, for example, The Borghese (individual tickets sell fast), ask about discounts. Muti tour bookings may save a few dollars. Call each company to get the most accurate information.

yes, a very early one in the month of July, to sort of beat the heat and compete with the crowds of peak season , would be best.

Just putting an exclamation point on this comment! Valid complaints about overcrowding in the Vatican Museums - and the Sistine in particular - are frequent! Early-entrance tours, such as those offered by Roman Guy, Walks of Italy, etc. have become a popular method of enjoying some of the most-visited highlights of the museums before they're completely overrun. Posters who've done them have sworn that they were well worth the price.

You don't need to do an expensive, truly private (meaning just you and a guide) tour. Just as a sample from the links Girasole kindly provided above, these two small-group tours are very popular, highly rated options.

https://www.walksofitaly.com/rome-tours/pristine-sistine-chapel-tour/

https://theromanguy.com/tours/Rome/Sistine-Chapel-Vatican-Tour

As far as other tours in Rome, do take a look at Rick's free audio tours for select attractions and sightseeing walks in chosen Italian cities? These can be dowloaded to you own devices, and posters have had positive things to report about them. If needing to stretch the pennies, this is one way to do that! :O)

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours

Last week was the first that I’d heard of The Roman Guy. In Rome we guided ourselves, using Rick Steves’ guidebook and audiotours extensively. And we arrived first thing at the Vatican Museums, basically spent all day there, and watched as the crowd built and built throughout the day.

But in some other places (including Paris, Neolithic sights in Ireland, Iceland, and in Greece and Morocco, we’ve hired private guides. Some were considerably more expensive than others, but based on their expertise, small number of participants (just us in our case!), and our desire for someone with more knowledge than we could acquire in a short time with printed or recorded info, they were well worth the money. Maybe there are some outfits that overcharge, but we’ve generally found that guides charge what they’re worth.

Check out Through Eternity Tours. https://www.througheternity.com/ I was happy with their group tour pricing. They use head phones so you don't have to crowd around the guide. I never felt I was in a large, cumbersome group. We used them for tours of the Vatican and Colosseum/Forum and they were easily the best tour company we've used anywhere in Europe so far.

Through Eternity Tours. https://www.througheternity.com/

"Bookmarked" for future reference. Always good to have choices and view travelers' experiences.

We did Dark Rome's early morning Vatican tour (8:10 AM) and it was so worth it. We were there in October when it was not as crowded as the summer and the regular line to get in was wrapped around the building even that early. I can only imagine how it would be in the summer. We walked right into the building. We used The Roman Guy when we toured the Colosseum and I would highly recommend them, too. They also do an early morning Vatican tour. Both companies had small groups and excellent tour guides. It gets expensive to use the private tours but you would lose so much time waiting in line that I would highly suggest getting an early morning tour for the Vatican. I would like to warn you not to eat breakfast across from the Vatican! We ate there and didn't think much of the fact there were no prices on the menu! We were charged 40 euro for two orders of eggs, bacon, toast and coffee!

We just did a Roman Guy tour on Saturday for the Vatican Museums/Castel Gandolfo. As we were doing a tour only offered by the Vatican, we were given the headphones and guide from the Vatican. The early time made it very spacious in the museums and the Sistine Chapel (instead of being crammed in there, we only had to bob and weave to move around people at 9:30am). The tour wasn't very popular, so we only had 6 people in total for it, and the people doing it on their own had no tour guide for the museums or the Vatican gardens or the Castel Gandolfo gardens, and we didn't have to think much about any of the logistics. They were very organized and I would use them again if the need arose.

They use head phones so you don't have to crowd around the guide.

As a footnote to Allan's helpful post, most of the museums require that tour groups which number more than a very modest size use headsets so that the guides don't have to shout to be heard. It's easier on them, easier on their clients, and easier on the ears of other visitors too! :O)

We used Dark Rome/City Wonders First Entry to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum Tour we thought it was well worth it - keep in mind that after the SC, you are on your own to wander the Vatican Museum but this is where RS's audio guide could come into play. Little pricier than purchasing direct from the Vatican but a lot cheaper than other tour groups - then again, you are sorta on your own.....

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Has anyone booked a tour through The Tour Guy?

If so…. Please give your feedback!

14 replies to this topic

I've never heard of him but looking at his pricing he is charging a ton. I would just make sure to check the license of the guide you will be working with.

Also, did you check official tours for availability?

I decided against using them because of the 'no cancellation' policy. There are many others that offer 24 hr advance cancellation...you just never know when your itinerary needs adjusting once you are there

To add to my reply, I did go with Citywonders

I have not booked anything yet. Is the company name "Official Tours"? I have not looked them up. I have only looked at things on TripAdvisor and the "Roman Guy" "The Tour Guy" popped up.

Good to know! Thank you for the recommendation of CityWonders. I will look that up!

>> Is the company name "Official Tours"?<<

No. Donna was asking if you checked the official ticketing website - CoopCulture - instead of looking up third party and fourth party options.

Re: CoopCulture --- Thank you for this info! I have not heard of it until now!

https://www.coopculture.it/en/tickets/

https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home

The Tour Guy, also Roman Guy is a well established company.

They have been around for many years.

They have many excellent and informative videos posted.

But, seeing this thread, I pulled up their website.

Their website states "24 hour cancellation on group tours"

However, the language on the website says that they will offer a CREDIT, not money back.

That doesn't work when planning a short trip, where cancellation means you will no longer be able to use their services.

I will now be looking into other tour providers.

Have compared tours by both of them.

I will double check their cancellation policy too!

Places to book in advance, with official websites: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Trips/85118537/What%20to%20book%20in%20advance%20for%20Rome

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Tours, Activities, and Experiences That Make Trips More Memorable!

We combine the right attractions with the most passionate people.

1. Travel with People You Love

This one is up to you, but the best trips are born from a great group of people looking for fun adventure, and discovery!

2. Pick a Destination That Makes You Happy

Our planet has endless wonders! You may prefer the sun & white sand beaches of Miami, the rolling hills & vineyards of Tuscany, or the incredible culture and museums of Paris. Regardless, pick a destination with the elements that make you happy.

3. Find Fun & Intersting Activities

While booking hotels & flights is part of the process, arriving at your destination is the beginning of a great trip. From there, what are you going to do? What do you eat? What can you plan to bring joy to your group?

This is where we come in. We believe the key to making memories is joining tours, activities, and experiences led by the right people. Fun and passionate people! We’ve been creating our own tours in Rome, Paris, London, and many other cities.

We know what elements are necessary for customers to love and enjoy an activitiy. Now we’ve expanded our horizons globally and source incredibly passionate individual operators that share our mission.

What experiences could you enjoy on your next trip?

Something we often get asked... okay but..., who is the tour guy.

We like having “guy” in our name because it reinforces that we aren’t just a company, We area team of passionate and friendly people that love culture, history, and food!

Like-minded people that create and source unforgettable experiences for our customers, always with top-notch customer service and that personal touch.

We sell our own tours and “partner tours” from passionate people that share our vision.

And by the way, while we’re The Tour “Guy”, our team is a mix of guys, gals, and theys who are all just people.

How it started?

A wall st. guy.

He gave up a career on Wall Street to follow his roots back to the boot.

Fell Deeply in Love

He fell head over heels for a lady named Italy & decided to stay a while.

The Tour Guy was born

He met another Guy with the same passion for Rome, both eager to deliver unique experiences to travelers

How we create a unique experience:

Find something people love about Italy. From famous attractions to lesser known hidden gems

Think of a unique way to experience it. We make sure it’s different to how it’s currently offered e.g. visit a restricted area, visit at night, visit before opening, meet the locals

Find the best tour guides possible. We handpick guides who are passionate about history and storytelling

Make it affordable. We want anyone coming to Italy to be able to enjoy our experiences

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