Like most ancient cities in the world, you could spend weeks in Rome wandering the streets, exploring ruins and reverently tiptoeing your way through art museums. It would really behoove you to get a Rome tour.
Rome tours vary. Since a lot of them take you over the same stuff, go for the one that looks like it will give you a funny story when you get home. Like, for example, a bike tour. Or better yet, a Segway tour of Rome.
Here’s the thing about Segways—I think they are 100% silly. I’ve heard their inventor truly believed that they would revolutionize the world; while that remains open for debate, they have certainly revolutionized city tours. They combine the microscopic detail (so to speak, of course) of a walking tour with far less walking (though a comparable amount of standing) and 100% more chances for memorable scrapes. I recommend these wherever they’re available, because they’re something most people would never really do at home, and if since you’re probably a tourist anyway, you might as well look as touristy as possible and enjoy yourself. Segway tours of Rome also get you around the city in significantly less time than a walking tour, allowing you time to explore on your own after you’ve gotten a feel for Rome’s landmarks and layout.
If you’re afraid of the Segway, you can always tour the old fashioned way—on foot. And regardless, the Segway tours don’t stop inside the museums or monuments. I’d say you might want to take a Segway tour in the morning and then a guided walking tour in the afternoon, especially if you’re interested in art. Skip the Line Tours of the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica are good ones to book. You can also get good deals online to visit the Coliseum and view ancient Rome, including Palatine Hill, where you can get a breathtaking vista of Nero’s Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum. These are great for first time visitors.
June 3, 2010 by Viator
Tours & Activities