RomeInLimo questions

[dalgirl]

We just used RIL again for our Oct. Med cruise and as usual they did a fabulous job - Jany responding quickly to emails, drivers Max in Florence and Franscesco in Rome were very professional, very friendly, providing valuable information about the area we were traveling in and history of the different sites we visited, and making sure that we had good (in Rome) and very good (in Florence - yeh Mama Gina's) meals. They also found great places to get Gelato, which is mandatory for any tours in Italy:) You cannot go wrong by using their services.

[katmich12]

We just returned from our first Med cruise on Celebrity Solstice. Our perfect vacation was even better because we used Rome In Limo for three ports. Our drivers Giovanni, Mauricio and Carmine were professional, knowledgable and tons of fun. They maximized our time in each port for a fraction of the ship's cost. They made lunch reservations for us and we simply walked in to waiting tables. The restaurant at the top of Sorrento was stunning. I can't even imagine navigating the roads. The eigth of us who shared the van all LOVED this company. Great choice.

[beauclaire]

We just returned from our Med cruise and prior to leaving had decided to book a tour to Rome with RomeinLimo.

 

Needless to say, we were somewhat nervous about whether it would work out or not. The morning the ship docked Civitavecchia - the port town, approximately 70 kilometers from Rome, we were anxious about whether this would work out or not. Many fellow passengers were waiting around and then arrived our driver Franco who held our name up on a board. We were escorted to a very very comfortable van and our tour began.

 

RomeinLimo had suggested that we pre-purchase our tickets to the Sistene Chapel and Franco walked us to the beginning of a long long line of tourists where we were allowed in and our tour began ... as Easy as that!

 

Franco was extremely well versed in Roman history and took us everywhere we wanted to go plus to some sites we had not heard about - the keyhole! He then dropped us off at the lovely osteria where we enjoyed a wonderful traditional lunch and then resumed our tour.

 

The last stop as a gelatto place (as Franco had overheard us talking about the excellent gelatto in Rome earlier in the day ) We were not expecting that stop whatsoever - he just did it. Just to show you the attention to detail.

 

If you want to enjoy Rome and have personal attention - we were two couples - you need go no further than Rome in Limo. We cannot give them enough praise and high recommendations.

 

Other friends on the cruise booked thru the cruise line and while they enjoyed it - they said that among 30 or 40 people - you do not get the personal attention and you cannot design our own tour.

 

Again a huge Thank you to Rome in Limo and to Franco - you made our trip to Rome absolutely wonderful!!!!

 

Thanks again

 

sue

[Host Kewlguy]

Let's keep the questions on this thread about RomeInLimo only. Thanks.

[sunsetpointab]

Just back from our Oct Med Cruise and like the previous commenters..... we too had a great tour with RIL in Rome. Jany was excellent to deal with and as someone previously mentioned...."I wonder when she sleeps"?? I called one evening and even though I'm sure it was in the middle of the night for her she was very kind and couteous. E-mails were answered quickly too. Salvatore was our driver and Katherine was our Vatican guide. Both were excellent and I don't think either would have refused any request from our group of 8, although we pretty much went with their recommenations. Salvatore picked an awesome restaurant for lunch......kind of a 'hole in the wall" type but exactly what we were looking for as a group. We wanted a tradtional Italian place and that's what we got. Appetizers were ready for us when we arrived, then 2 types of pastas, 3 litres of wine, plus Limoncello, another type of liquerer and many samplings of desserts for the 8 of us to share. We couldn't have left happier. Katherine did a great tour @ the Vatican......we all loved her Passion/Knowledge and Enthusiasim. Having purchased tickets online before for the Colisseum and the Vatican also saved us plenty of time. THANKS Again RIL for a tour at an afforable price !!

[mom23guys]

We had arranged for RIL to provide us with an Amalfi Coast tour. We had used them in 2009 and I recommended them to those on our Roll Call. Unfortunately we had to cancel our cruise due to my husband's surgery. I contacted Jany and HollywoodTraveler agreed to be the contact person.RIL made the change in arrangements easy.

Even though I couldn't go I was so pleased with the glowing reports I received from those who took this tour. I'm planning on booking this same cruise in 2012 and will be using RIL.

[snorkelgirlca]

we too used Rome in Limo for tours of Florence and Rome. Janey was prompt in responding to emails and questions. The driver was informative and prompt. The price for the two tours saved us fifty percent each off the price of NCL same tour on a bus. Her suggestion as to buying tickets ahead of time for the Uffizi, Academina, and hot spots in Rome were lifesavers.

 

Rome was chaotic but I cant blame Rome in Limo. Make sure you find out if the Pope is speaking on the Wednesday morning of your trip to the Vatican BEFORE you go. Otherwise you could have a miserable time as there are no crowd controlls at the Vatican. Someone commented during our tour that the Vatican museum was akin to Disneyland on a bad day. But having grown up in Anaheim, home of the "happiest place on earth", I can tell you from personal experience over the last 50 years, that when Disneyland crowds get to 100,000 they stop letting people in, season tickets holders too. Not so at the Vatican. So just be aware of it. Made for a very miserable experience IN the Sistine Chapel, as the the pushing and shoving was a nightmare.

[sgk2000]

We did a Mediterranean cruise on the Liberty of the Seas October 15th and used RIL for Rome and Florence/Pisa. They were fantastic. Jany answered all our emails very quickly. We had Fabrizio as our driver in Florence and Maurizio in Rome. Both were great! They were very friendly, funny, efficient and very informative about the sites we were seeing. Serena was our Vatican guide and was also wonderful. She guided us through the Vatican very efficiently so we were able to make the most of the time we had there. She was very informative and pointed out things, I surly would have missed, myself.

[Gracie115]

Serena was our Vatican guide and was also wonderful. She guided us through the Vatican very efficiently so we were able to make the most of the time we had there. She was very informative and pointed out things, I surly would have missed, myself.

 

 

Serena was our Vatican guide too, and also our guide for the walking tour of Ancient Rome through Rome In LImo. She was great....had great energy and even though she does an average of two tours a day she never seems to be bored with her job....we hope to have her as a guide next year for the Borghese tour!!

[wantocruisemore]

Serena was our Vatican guide too, and also our guide for the walking tour of Ancient Rome through Rome In LImo. She was great....had great energy and even though she does an average of two tours a day she never seems to be bored with her job....we hope to have her as a guide next year for the Borghese tour!!

 

Hi, we've got a walking tour scheduled for next summer with RIL. LOVE that company! What all did you do on the walking tour?

 

Kathryn was our Vatican guide last summer. She was Great!

[Gracie115]

Hi, we've got a walking tour scheduled for next summer with RIL. LOVE that company! What all did you do on the walking tour?

 

Kathryn was our Vatican guide last summer. She was Great!

 

 

HI!

Is it the walking tour of Ancient ROme? We saw several churches, the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Forum, Palatine Hill...so many things.

 

We started out at our hotel(30 minutes after arriving on an overnight flight that was 3 hours late) which was close to the Pantheon and walked from there to the Coliseum, criss crossing many streets so we didn't miss anything. It was GREAT! We were so enthused that when Serena left us at the Coliseum next to a taxi we decided to walk back to the hotel...only got somewhat lost once!! HA! It was such a PERFECT way to begin our visit! Yes, loved Rome in Limo....oh and loved the castle that you suggested too, we visited it on our way to the port!!

[wantocruisemore]

HI!

Is it the walking tour of Ancient ROme? We saw several churches, the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Forum, Palatine Hill...so many things.

 

We started out at our hotel(30 minutes after arriving on an overnight flight that was 3 hours late) which was close to the Pantheon and walked from there to the Coliseum, criss crossing many streets so we didn't miss anything. It was GREAT! We were so enthused that when Serena left us at the Coliseum next to a taxi we decided to walk back to the hotel...only got somewhat lost once!! HA! It was such a PERFECT way to begin our visit! Yes, loved Rome in Limo....oh and loved the castle that you suggested too, we visited it on our way to the port!!

 

So glad you loved Castello Odescalchi! It is really beautiful, I'm surprised you don't hear more about it.

 

We've arranged with Jany for a walking tour of ancient Rome, focusing on the Forum, Palatine Hill and other sites besides the Colosseum ( we did the upper levels/underground tour of Colosseum this past summer). We decided to limit it to 4 hours.

 

Next summer RIL will take us to sites on the Appian Way on the way to the port. Jany gives so great advice!

[hylasgirl]

So glad you loved Castello Odescalchi! It is really beautiful, I'm surprised you don't hear more about it.

 

We've arranged with Jany for a walking tour of ancient Rome, focusing on the Forum, Palatine Hill and other sites besides the Colosseum ( we did the upper levels/underground tour of Colosseum this past summer). We decided to limit it to 4 hours.

 

Next summer RIL will take us to sites on the Appian Way on the way to the port. Jany gives so great advice!

 

 

I am thinking of going to Castello Odescalchi on our next tour. Do you happen to have any photos posted anywhere? It looks great.

 

Agree... Jany ROCKS!

[Gracie115]

So glad you loved Castello Odescalchi! It is really beautiful, I'm surprised you don't hear more about it.

 

We've arranged with Jany for a walking tour of ancient Rome, focusing on the Forum, Palatine Hill and other sites besides the Colosseum ( we did the upper levels/underground tour of Colosseum this past summer). We decided to limit it to 4 hours.

 

Next summer RIL will take us to sites on the Appian Way on the way to the port. Jany gives so great advice!

 

 

Ah...then you will get to the Catacombs! We did that on our full day tour of Rome with RIL because we had already done the Ancient area the day before with Serena. The Catacombs are fascinating....I was amazed at how COLD they are...it was nearly 90 degrees the day we went and inside the catacombs it was probably close to 60...so glad we had the chance to see them....I just love Rome!!

 

We are going back to the Coliseum and doing the underground tour this time.....we just didn't feel that we had enough time there...but we're going on our own for that visit..didyou have much trouble getting tickets for the underground tour?

Edited November 1, 2011 by Gracie115

[DebbieB65]

There is only 2 of us on this trip and although the RIL tours sound amazing they are pricey if only 2 going, will they pair up multiple couples to share costs on tours?

[wantocruisemore]

Ah...then you will get to the Catacombs! We did that on our full day tour of Rome with RIL because we had already done the Ancient area the day before with Serena. The Catacombs are fascinating....I was amazed at how COLD they are...it was nearly 90 degrees the day we went and inside the catacombs it was probably close to 60...so glad we had the chance to see them....I just love Rome!!

 

We are going back to the Coliseum and doing the underground tour this time.....we just didn't feel that we had enough time there...but we're going on our own for that visit..didyou have much trouble getting tickets for the underground tour?

 

 

Here's the link to the website where I got my Colosseum Underground/Upper Levels tour: http://www.tickitaly.com/tours/colosseum-dungeon-upper-level-tour.php

I kept checking daily because they open them up in 2 or 3 month blocks. I think mine ended up around 45 days in advance.

We really enjoyed the tour. The guide was not the best (not quite up to RIL standards) and the little microphones around your neck did not work well, but we still liked it. Since I was getting for a group of 9 I wanted to be sure to get them as soon as possible.

 

Are the Catacombs you saw on the Appian Way? We lucked up and I've already received a confirmation from the Vatican for a scheduled Scavi Necropolis Tour and we're really excited about that for next summer.

 

And for hylasgirl, here's a couple of photos from Odescalchi:

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to print your confirmation and take with you. Luckily I did because they originally tried to say either we wait for a couple of hours for a regular tour or pay 175 euros for a private one. Thanks to our wonderful driver from RIL and my printed confirmation, we got the tour at the time we had arranged for 7 euros a piece. Tour was an hour and well worth it. I just wish we could have taken photos inside the castle.

[CruiserBruce]

There is only 2 of us on this trip and although the RIL tours sound amazing they are pricey if only 2 going, will they pair up multiple couples to share costs on tours?

 

Rome in Limo doesn't. But you can do it on the roll call for your cruise.

[Sailmore]

I believe RIL now has a cruise share location that you can go on to try to link up with others

[Gracie115]

Here's the link to the website where I got my Colosseum Underground/Upper Levels tour: http://www.tickitaly.com/tours/colosseum-dungeon-upper-level-tour.php

I kept checking daily because they open them up in 2 or 3 month blocks. I think mine ended up around 45 days in advance.

We really enjoyed the tour. The guide was not the best (not quite up to RIL standards) and the little microphones around your neck did not work well, but we still liked it. Since I was getting for a group of 9 I wanted to be sure to get them as soon as possible.

 

Are the Catacombs you saw on the Appian Way? We lucked up and I've already received a confirmation from the Vatican for a scheduled Scavi Necropolis Tour and we're really excited about that for next summer.

 

And for hylasgirl, here's a couple of photos from Odescalchi:

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to print your confirmation and take with you. Luckily I did because they originally tried to say either we wait for a couple of hours for a regular tour or pay 175 euros for a private one. Thanks to our wonderful driver from RIL and my printed confirmation, we got the tour at the time we had arranged for 7 euros a piece. Tour was an hour and well worth it. I just wish we could have taken photos inside the castle.

 

Yes, the Catacombs were on the Appian Way...very interesting. thanks so much for the link to the Catacombs underground tour.

 

And, WOW, thanks for the tip about the Scavi Necropolis Tour, did not know about this and am going to start working right now to get tickets for our May visit!

 

Oh and HYLASGIRL--- we had the SAME thing happen at the castle about the tour and thank goodness we also had our email confirming a 10:30 tour, our guide with RIL got into a somewhat heated discussion with them, waving our email around but we DID get the tour at 10:30 for the normal 7Euros...so make sure you get that confirmation, I would not have known if not for Wanttocruisemore's suggestion!

Edited November 2, 2011 by Gracie115

[wantocruisemore]

Yes, the Catacombs were on the Appian Way...very interesting. thanks so much for the link to the Catacombs underground tour.

 

And, WOW, thanks for the tip about the Scavi Necropolis Tour, did not know about this and am going to start working right now to get tickets for our May visit!

 

Oh and HYLASGIRL--- we had the SAME thing happen at the castle about the tour and thank goodness we also had our email confirming a 10:30 tour, our guide with RIL got into a somewhat heated discussion with them, waving our email around but we DID get the tour at 10:30 for the normal 7Euros...so make sure you get that confirmation, I would not have known if not for Wanttocruisemore's suggestion!

 

Gracie, here is the link to the Vatican Scavi tour. I emailed them, gave them all the info and gave them 2 possible dates. They sent an email back with a date and time and directions on how to pay. I had to pay within 30 days of the notice and then get a confirmation in the email which I will take to the office the day of the tour. I got a reply back so quick that it came in even before the one saying we've received your request and will get to it eventually. Definitely go ahead and reserve now rather than wait.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20040112_en.html

[usermom]

We used RIL the end of October with a group of 4 couples formed on VoS Rollcall. Raphael, our driver was waiting for us in the port of Naples before 8a and proceeded to tell us about Naples including the abundance of Art, castles, etc. and the 30% unemployment rate there. He then picked our private guide, Guiseppe (his full time job is at the University), at a corner along the way to Pompeii. He gave us a history of Pompeii while driving and before we knew it we had arrived 10 minutes earlier than when the gates open. Time to go to the bathroom and get a coffee and pastry if desired. Although I wasn't sure I would enjoy Pompeii, I really did because Guiseppe made it come alive. I thought it was huge and would have been very difficult to do on your own; a guide is highly recommended. We spent 2 hours there. Then our guide left us and Raphael wisked us off to the Amalfi Coast. Raphael drove very safely. First we went to Sorrento where we walked and shopped, then Raphael drove us to a reasonably priced but excellent restaurant (at our request). Some people had pizza while others had pasta in addition to wine, beer and water. He then continued his drive along the Amalfi Coast to Positano playing Italian music and singing to us. It was fun. He stopping along the way for us to take pictures and buy fruit at one of the stands; it was the most delicious, juicy tangerine I had ever had. Positano is a beautiful town built into the mountains with a black sand beach. We had time to explore and shop. Then Raphael drove us back to the ship by 5:10, stopping at my request for a delicious cannoli at the cake shop that imports them from Sicily everyday. It was an extremely enjoyable day. I can't wait to return and would definitely us RIL/Raphael again.

[usermom]

We used RIL for a Rome tour formed on CC VoS Rollcall. I was disappointed in the day. It started out raining very hard. We had difficulty finding our driver at the pier at 8a. It was a 1 1/2 hr drive from the port to Rome since we sat in bumper to bumper traffic. When we arrived in Rome, our driver stopped at Circus Maximus and explained the history behind it. We had time for photos. He showed us the Forum. We had time to visit the interior and exterior of the Pantheon. We enjoyed the Coliseum and had plenty of time to explore(we all had prepaid front of the line tickets--this is highly recommended). We were given a time and place to meet the driver and a phone to call him if we arrived earlier, unfortunately he never answered so the phone so we lost about 20 minutes waiting for him. We did a drive by of the Spanish Steps and since I was on the wrong side of the van I barely saw it. We were dropped off at the Trevi Fountain with time to explore and/or eat lunch. We loved the fountain and had great paninis, pizza and gelatos at local shops. Our driver was at the arranged time and meeting place, and we were off to the Vatican. We met our private Vatican guide, Sarah. We all had prepaid 2p Vatican tickets. While we went through security, we were able to skip the horrific ticket line. Sarah was a wealth of knowledge thru the Vatican Museum, Sistene Chapel and St peter's Basilica. We needed roller skates to keep up with her (I mean this in a good way---she did not want us to miss anything). I can't imagine getting much out of the Vatican Museum without a guide since the crowds are so over powering. Although beautiful, the Sistene Chapel was like a gymnasium since people were talking and taking pictures. The rules were not reinforced. St Peter's Basilica was beautiful. Michelangelo's Pieta was very crowded but amazing. I had asked and was promised that we would have time to buy rosary beads in the Vatican. To my disappointment we were brought to an overpriced shop close to the Vatican for brief shopping before we departed back to Civitavecchia. We did not hit any traffic going back since we departed at 4:20; we were back at the ship at 5:20. Rome is a wonderful city and I knew I would only get a taste of it, but it seemed like a whirlwind of a day. In addition, the sights are spread out in Rome.

[Gracie115]

Gracie, here is the link to the Vatican Scavi tour. I emailed them, gave them all the info and gave them 2 possible dates. They sent an email back with a date and time and directions on how to pay. I had to pay within 30 days of the notice and then get a confirmation in the email which I will take to the office the day of the tour. I got a reply back so quick that it came in even before the one saying we've received your request and will get to it eventually. Definitely go ahead and reserve now rather than wait.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20040112_en.html

 

 

THANK YOU so much for this! I KNOW it will make our 2nd visit even more special.

[hylasgirl]

I believe RIL now has a cruise share location that you can go on to try to link up with others

 

 

They do have a cruise share location :)

[hylasgirl]

We used RIL the end of October with a group of 4 couples formed on VoS Rollcall. Raphael, our driver was waiting for us in the port of Naples before 8a and proceeded to tell us about Naples including the abundance of Art, castles, etc. and the 30% unemployment rate there. He then picked our private guide, Guiseppe (his full time job is at the University), at a corner along the way to Pompeii. He gave us a history of Pompeii while driving and before we knew it we had arrived 10 minutes earlier than when the gates open. Time to go to the bathroom and get a coffee and pastry if desired. Although I wasn't sure I would enjoy Pompeii, I really did because Guiseppe made it come alive. I thought it was huge and would have been very difficult to do on your own; a guide is highly recommended. We spent 2 hours there. Then our guide left us and Raphael wisked us off to the Amalfi Coast. Raphael drove very safely. First we went to Sorrento where we walked and shopped, then Raphael drove us to a reasonably priced but excellent restaurant (at our request). Some people had pizza while others had pasta in addition to wine, beer and water. He then continued his drive along the Amalfi Coast to Positano playing Italian music and singing to us. It was fun. He stopping along the way for us to take pictures and buy fruit at one of the stands; it was the most delicious, juicy tangerine I had ever had. Positano is a beautiful town built into the mountains with a black sand beach. We had time to explore and shop. Then Raphael drove us back to the ship by 5:10, stopping at my request for a delicious cannoli at the cake shop that imports them from Sicily everyday. It was an extremely enjoyable day. I can't wait to return and would definitely us RIL/Raphael again.

 

I'm so happy you had a great time in this port (my fave) and Raphael (or Raffael - I never remember how he spells it) is my most favorite driver in ALL of Romeinlimo's drivers. I just adore him. I really wish he had no ties in the Amalfi Coast and wanted me to bring him home with me :D