A friend of mine is suddenly going to Rome and we are trying to find the name of a reputable company that she can use for day excursions. She is NOT a traveler, this is her first trip to Europe and she'll be with her 17 yr old son. She really want to go to Pompeii and she'd rather not take the train.

I know some of you must have the names of great local companies?

Thanks in advance, my fellow travellers!

(ps. My trip to Alaska was fantastic, and thanks, Dragons, for suggesting the Mt Roberts Tramway, I loved it!)

Shannon

Shannon ~ We have used Viator in several countries, though not in Italy. We have always found them very professional & their day tours good value

I used Viator for tours in Rome in early June this year. Our tours were Skip the Line tours of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peters and another one was of the Colosseum, Palatine and Forum. Our guide on the latter tour was an archaeologist and she was wonderful. Tours are not cheap but I would not hesitate to use them again.

I have used Viator and found them very good. I would use them again.

quote:

Originally posted by sdkelly2000:
ps. My trip to Alaska was fantastic, and thanks, Dragons, for suggesting the Mt Roberts Tramway, I loved it!
Shannon

Glad you enjoyed it Shannon and the view from the top is great. Hope you had the time to also do some of the walks from the top of the tramway.

quote:

Originally posted by margaretc:
I used Viator for tours in Rome in early June this year. Our tours were Skip the Line tours of Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peters and another one was of the Colosseum, Palatine and Forum. Our guide on the latter tour was an archaeologist and she was wonderful. Tours are not cheap but I would not hesitate to use them again.

I booked my tour of the Colosseum, Palantine, Forum and a walk to the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon with Viator too. We only had 7 in our group and I wonder if we had the same guide as she was also an archaeologist and friendly and so interesting. I would not hesitate to use Viator again.

SDKelly ~ My son and his wife visited Pompeii while on their honeymoon in April. They do not reccommend travelling through Naples by train. I think they booked their tour from the hotel in Rome.

Thanks all. It looks like Viatour is the one.

Dragons, there was too much snow up top and all the trails were closed...oh well, next time!

Shannon

Hi Aussie Miss, I think it was you who recommended Viatour in Rome to me - thank you, it was well worth it. Our archaeologist guide for the Colosseum tour was called Valentina. Our tour had 23 people because the morning tour which we had booked was cancelled as the Colosseum was closed due to the military parade for Italy's Republic Day. Our hotel was only 5 minutes walk in either direction for the Trevi and Pantheon and I used Rick Steves' podcast on my iPod for my self-guided tour of the Pantheon.

Be careful if you dont know where youre going in Rome and it may be a good idea to stay away from Termini station. Do some serious research if you plan on travelling Rome independently.

quote:

Originally posted by Dani & Elli:
Be careful if you dont know where youre going in Rome and it may be a good idea to stay away from Termini station. Do some serious research if you plan on travelling Rome independently.

In February I stayed in the Trafalgar Tour Hotel just around the corner from Termini station. I stayed there 3 days on my own, a 45 year old female, and I walked everywhere on my own, even at night and I felt completely safe. I loved Rome and it is so easy to walk everywhere, except maybe when you want to cross a busy street

Rome felt very safe- apart from the traffic! You have to watch out for pickpockets but that is par for the course in most big cities. I understand there are lots of pickpockets in Termini so people need to be cautious.

quote:

Originally posted by Aussie Miss:
In February I stayed in the Trafalgar Tour Hotel just around the corner from Termini station. I stayed there 3 days on my own, a 45 year old female, and I walked everywhere on my own, even at night and I felt completely safe. I loved Rome and it is so easy to walk everywhere, except maybe when you want to cross a busy street

Was it the Hotel Diana? We stayed there & it felt less safe in the hotel than outside!!!!

Hi Dimpz,

Yes it was the Hotel Diana, I am not sure why you did not feel safe as I was staying there without the tour group for 3 days and I felt totally safe.

I did lock my suitcase as had been advised on the BB before I went but there was never any sign of anything improper at anytime.

I certainly felt safe outside as well and walked to the internet cafes everynight along the street.

I certainly know when I do not feel safe, as was the case in Paris in a not so desirable area, but in Rome both inside and outside the hotel I did not have any problem. Maybe it was because it was winter???

quote:

Originally posted by Aussie Miss:
Hi Dimpz,

Yes it was the Hotel Diana, I am not sure why you did not feel safe as I was staying there without the tour group for 3 days and I felt totally safe.

I do not have any problem with Rome at all, & treat it like any other big city. I agree that you can get a vibe to when things aren't right about a place - at least I do.

We also stayed in the hotel for several days prior to the tour starting & thought it was in a great location. I have no confidence in the hotel, mainly because someone entered our room one afternoon while we were having a nap. This is not an isolated incident for this hotel. I now travel with a door wedge that I use under the door from the inside.