Touring Rome/Italy before DCL cruise

[bobbiwoz]

Does anyone here recommend a touring company they have used?

 

[soniam]

Never used a tour company. However, we love the Rick Steves' Europe through the Back Door books. He also has a tour company.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Why do you want a touring company? Just curious. Rome is pretty easy on your own and a lot of the fun is just wandering around.

 

[cruiser21]

Does anyone here recommend a touring company they have used?

Rome in Limo is a popular one on the cruise boards. I think doing a tour would be nice to see the highlights, and then maybe a day on your own to wander around and shop. I know many people on here have done private tours. Check out some the Med trip reports.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We're going to Rome on a different cruise line and are using City Wonders (also known as Dark Rome) bc of recommendations from others who have used them. You can get early access and VIP access to different sites, for the above person who asked. Also, just a note, the port is about an hour away from Rome, just for planning purposes.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Why do you want a touring company? Just curious. Rome is pretty easy on your own and a lot of the fun is just wandering around.

A lot of what I see involves walking. I have trouble doing that.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Rome in Limo is a popular one on the cruise boards. I think doing a tour would be nice to see the highlights, and then maybe a day on your own to wander around and shop. I know many people on here have done private tours. Check out some the Med trip reports.

Ok, I will, thanks.

 

[Dug720]

A lot of what I see involves walking. I have trouble doing that.

FWIW there are many parts of Rome that cars simply cannot get to. So even with a car tour to really see some of the major sites you are going to have to walk.

 

[aggiedog]

Rome in Limo has a very good reputation. We used Miles & Miles 2 years ago and had a great experience. We had an air-conditioned van and a very good, professional, and friendly guide/driver who took us to all the hot spots. We also had a private guide for the Vatican. Check out Context Tours if you are interested in something a bit outside the mainstream tourist type things. The metro system is very easy to use as well, for meeting up with guides. Check out the Cruisecritic Italy Port boards for more BTDT recommendations.

Several companies have multi city discounts, so if you want to travel around Italy you could save money that way. I just got back from a week in Tuscany, and the train system there is very easy to use, so moving between cities is not hard, as long as you're not dragging large luggage around with you. (moderate luggage is fine, but since there are no porters, you need to easily get all your stuff yourself.)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=595 Italy board at CC

 

[bobbiwoz]

FWIW there are many parts of Rome that cars simply cannot get to. So even with a car tour to really see some of the major sites you are going to have to walk.

Yes, this is why Rome has not been on my list, but it is on DHs and we booked a DCL cruise next year that begins in Rome's port, so we can spend a few nights there before the cruise. There are 3 other ports in Italy as well. The cruise ends in Barcelona which is great.

 

[jrabbit]

I will also recommend Rick Steves Rome guidebook along with his Italy one as well.

Walking tours are really the way to go. Rick will have recommendations. I don't remember if we used one of his recommended or a different operator when we visited Rome for several days. The operator we had offered many different tours, and there were 4 that we wanted to do and fit into our schedule, but the fourth one was either free or at least half off - so bonus. Every guide we had was awesome.

Search online, check out TripAdvisor for reviews and pick an operator that meets your needs and budget.

ETA - sorry I missed where you have some issues walking, however, still search and read reviews of tour operators.