The Very Best Tour Of Rome

After reading many reviews, I decided to treat our family to a private tour of Rome with Top Tour of Italy. I contacted them almost a year before our trip. They responded promptly and satisfactorily answered my many, many questions, so I made a deposit. I must admit that I was skeptical about paying a deposit beforehand and that until Chris showed up promptly at our cruise ship to pick us up, was I relieved, hoping that I had made the right choice and wouldn’t disappoint our family. Were we ever happy with my choice! Chris was very professional, knowledgeable and did not disappoint. We headed for the catacombs first, before the big crowds showed up, followed by the Trevi Fountain and a local family style lunch at the restaurant of one of Chris’s friends. It was perfect. A taste of everything. Sadly we found out, shortly before our trip, that the Vatican Museum was going to be closed on Easter Monday. Chris took us to the Vatican City anyway and I think we just caught the end of the Pope’s sermon, but we didn’t have time to wait to get in after they let out the crowds. I think Chris realized how terribly disappointed that I was to be so close and not be able to see anything (the tears in my eyes might have given it away), so after lunch he took us back and happily we were able to get into the plaza and take some pictures. Since he couldn’t give us a tour of the museum, he suggested that he give us a tour of the coliseum instead. We had to buy the tickets about a month in advance and it was a little tricky to access on line from the USA. I was so happy that all of a sudden, the ticket site became available so I hurried up and bought them, although we couldn’t get the earlier time, that Chris had suggested, but he said that he could work around it and would make it our last stop so we had time to make it back to the ship. We learned so much and Chris was able to park fairly close, so we really didn’t have to walk far at all to see the sights. I don’t know how we would have navigated otherwise. Unfortunately I left my personalized mug and neoprene holder in the front seat of the van and didn’t realize it until Chris was already an hour away. He tried his best to get it sent to our hotel at the end of our cruise, but was told that it probably wouldn’t make it in time. I really appreciate the extra time and effort he took to take it to the post office and the parcel office. I guess it’s a good excuse to go back to Rome or for Chris to come visit us. (Or if anyone from the states, who takes this tour in the future, would be kind enough to bring it back and send it to me from the states, I would happily pay the postage) I can Highly recommended Chris and this tour and if you take it, please give Chris an extra hug from us. 😁 Thank you to Top Tour of Italy! We had a great time and an amazing experience.

Cristiano was an amazing tour guide for our trip! Would highly recommend him! So many beautiful places to see and lots of great photo opportunities. When you plan your next trip to Rome please ask for him!!

Cristiano was an excellent tour guide. He was knowledgeable, funny, and understood exactly what we wanted on our tour. He took us to see some of the most spectacular sites at the right pace. We had a beautiful lunch per his recommendation. I would highly recommend him when coming to Rome. He is absolutely the best.

Carlo and Cristiano provided an extraordinary experience. They are professional, friendly, extremely knowledgeable and patient. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants a memorable and exciting overview of the highlights of Rome. Thank you!

A few weeks before leaving home, I contacted several private tour companies. I found Top Tour of Rome, and Simone kindly responded to my correspondences and accommodated my requests. He also guaranteed VIP service at a reasonable price, which sealed the deal, forcing me to cancel other tours in the running. On the day of the tour, Cristiano kindly introduced himself to Mother and me and promptly drove us to the Vatican from our hotel. It was Mom’s dream to revisit the Sistine Chapel after visiting 25 years ago. Cristiano explained how to use the shortcut to St. Peter’s Basilica from the Sistine Chapel and was clear about the meeting point. After marveling at the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica, we reunited with Cristiano 2.5 hours later. He exceeded our expectations with his constant commentaries of landmarks in Rome and life in Rome. He knew the best places to take photos of panoramic views of Rome and the Colosseum—we decided not to visit inside the Colosseum, as we were already tired from visiting the Vatican Museums. Cristiano knew every shortcut in Rome, including the narrow streets leading to Trevi Fountain, which helped me fight the crowds effortlessly—I found great angles to take pictures in front of Trevi Fountain while throwing my three coins. One of the last stops was stunning Piazza Navone, Cristiano’s favorite square in Rome. We surprised him with dark chocolate gelato after visiting the piazza. We ended an hour earlier than the scheduled time, as Mother was feeling exhausted from intensive days of sightseeing all week on our Mediterranean cruise; we are staying in Rome as a post-extension. Cristiano respected our situation, even though we were sad to leave him (and Rome the next day). This tour is the last hurrah before returning home. Sì, we received VIP experience. Grazie mille, Simone e Cristiano!