Anonymous wrote:For the Vatican, Coliseum, and Forum, it's a huge PITA to get tickets unless you do a tour. They sell out fast and there are long lines.

This. First time we went to Italy 10 years ago, you could just buy a pass at a less well known place and then skip the line elsewhere. But in recent years they've required timed tickets and it's a huge PITA to get them unless you go through a tour company. You even have to buy tickets for the Pantheon now, which is new as of last July I believe.

Did it once the very first time I went since we were part of a group. Been back twice after that, and did not do a tour group.

I think if you are unfamiliar with how to get around there, and/or don't know what to do/see, then tour groups could be worth it.

DH hates tour groups but sometimes it can be a good way to go. Just depends on what you are doing and how comfortable you are with going from place to place.

I didn't do a tour when I visited Italy. I see the conveniences of tours and would consider if I went back, but it's really not necessary.

No, I never did any. Been several times.

For the Vatican, Coliseum, and Forum, it's a huge PITA to get tickets unless you do a tour. They sell out fast and there are long lines.

We had a really fun pasta making class in Florence that I found on airbnb experiences. When in Europe I check for a fun thing or two to do beyond museums and general exploring. Like the pallea cooking class in Barcelona that we really enjoyed.

The only “tour” we did in Italy was the Colosseum because it was the only way I could easily get tickets. But even that was bare bones…no special access, just a guideway met once inside who provided some narration as we walked around. I did find it interesting but if I’d been able to get tickets for our preferred day on my own we’d have skipped the tour and been just fine.

Just got back from Italy. Our family rarely does tours but several people recommended them for Italy and I'm glad we did them. We did small group or private tours and were able to get into some sites early (the Vatican), view areas of others that aren't available otherwise (Doge's Palace, Vatican, Colosseum), and skip lines nearly everywhere. It helped make the most of our time and the guides were all very knowledgeable. I got a lot more out of the experiences than I would have otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:I hardly ever tours and especially wouldn’t do something like a golf cart tour or a kids oriented tour. But we went to Italy last year and did do 2 tours, through the sites themselves (Doge’s Palace and the Coliseum) and found them incredibly helpful and enjoyable for my 2 young teens as well as the adults in our group. I’ve heard great things about food tours but honestly prefer getting recs myself and exploring

Could you possibly post a link to the coliseum tour? I’m going with kids aged 4-16 soon. Thank you!!!!

I hardly ever tours and especially wouldn’t do something like a golf cart tour or a kids oriented tour. But we went to Italy last year and did do 2 tours, through the sites themselves (Doge’s Palace and the Coliseum) and found them incredibly helpful and enjoyable for my 2 young teens as well as the adults in our group. I’ve heard great things about food tours but honestly prefer getting recs myself and exploring

I do a tour almost everywhere I go nowadays. Some with a large group, but usually just my family with a tour guide.

We've been to Italy many times. Usually we do our own thing but have done a couple of tours - one was for a hike on Mt Etna where we didn't want to drive ourselves. Another was on the Amalfi Coast for the same reason. Both were actually fun and sometimes it is nice to hand the planning and logistics for a day over to someone else. As the planner I find it relaxing. Sometimes you get annoying people in the group but it's usually balanced by the nice/interesting people. And we've had good luck with the guides.

I have been to Italy many times and never done a tour, except for a kids based thing in Florence once. Some sound fun, but it certainly isn’t necessary.

I do. But we do that in lots of places. I like them. Some people do not.

We’re planning for a late May/early June trip to Italy for about a week and a half.

As I do my research, it seems that tours seem to be really popular. I’m seeing things like golf cart tours of Rome, cooking classes, special Coliseum tours, etc.

We’ve traveled to other countries and don’t recall seeing these. Is it something that most people do when they travel to Italy? If so, why in Italy? Does it really add to the experience that much? I’d prefer not to spend the money but I’d like to learn more first before deciding.