GUIDE SERVICE?

 If you need MORE DIRECT help, I do show folks around Rome. It’s a job I fell into but really ENJOY. I do consulting and was working with a small group starting a tour company here in Rome. I did many tours and trained many guides with them… so I started doing tours for fun and to meet folks. I do SMALL groups – mostly one to three couples or perhaps a family for the entire day. As a result, I now have friends from all over the world! It’s been great fun!

Rome is a big city and can feel overwhelming to a visitor, especially on your first trip. It certainly was that way for us many years ago! Fortunately, the city is made up of small neighborhoods and a “Centro” district that you can explore at your own pace. Rome is a city that is easily discovered on foot – perhaps BEST discovered on foot – as every neighborhood has symbols and relics of the past. Having someone there to help you understand what you just walked past can enhance your Roman experience! I always suggest to folks I meet in Rome to set some time aside for aimless wandering. Sometimes when you’re lost you have your best discoveries! 

If you have limited time in Rome, having someone help you get around the city will enable you to optimize your Roman experience - there’s just SO MUCH to see here! You will definitely save a lot of time by having someone show you around. I see many visitors struggling t0 figure out the roads, buses, and metros in this city. Often I’ll stop and help tourists who have a local map and perplexed looks. Getting around Rome can be very confusing. For example, the street I live on changes names three times in just five blocks!  If you have someone knowledgeable with you, you can also avoid many of the queues. Not to mention find the best Gelato! Often on the day(s) I’m touring with folks, I teach them how to ride the buses, metro, and trams. Many times I have taken folks to the Termini train station to help them buy train tickets or teach them the train system – sometimes it’ is more than a little overwhelming. Many visitors book me on their first “full day” in Rome so they can learn how to get around… and that helps enhance the remainder of their stay.

My tours are private and personal – JUST YOU! No large groups – no microphones – no “follow the leader!” The tours are built around what you want to see, not where a tour guide wants to take you. I can tailor our day to your requests and make sure you see those “can’t miss” sites you’ve read or heard about! I do walking tours, approximately 7-8 hours in duration with breaks for lunch, snacks, gelato, caffe’ or just sitting! On a typical day we could see the Colosseo/Palatine Hill/Forum, Circo Massimo, Trajan’s Market, the Vittoriano, Campodoglio, Teatro Marcello, the Jewish Ghetto, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps – and then whatever else you might wish to see… Again, if there’s somewhere you WANT to go, or have heard about and CAN’T MISS, we will build the itinerary around that! I usually meet folks at their hotel and we walk or ride public transportation all over town.

Rates start at €120 for the entire day plus any entry fee expenses. Again, this is an “ENTIRE DAY PRICE” for your group, – not per person, or not per hour! Many private tour guides will charge you €45 – €65 per hour. Prices are structured individually per group and I like to work with smaller groups, usually no more than six persons. I also do have Family Rates!  I know how expensive it can get when you take a family on a vacation.  I will work with you on pricing and scheduling.

It’s always reassuring to have a contact in a foreign city. Allow me be that contact for you – especially if you are traveling to Rome or Europe for the first time!  I will meet you at your hotel or apartment and we will start your tour from there so you don’t have to worry about trying to find a meeting point. My goals are to make your trip to the Eternal City comfortable, and more importantly, memorable. Traveling internationally can be quite intimidating.  I’ve helped visitors enjoy their international travel experience and now, like me, they are hooked on seeing what else is out there!

I’ve taken many folks around Rome and as I’ve said, I am now fortunate to have friends all over the world. If you need help, please feel free to contact me.  Send me a private email message by completing the box above on the FAR RIGHT side of this page  with the header,  If you would like to send a private email to me, enter your msg below!  and then Click “Submit Query.”  I look forward to helping you enjoy your upcoming trip to Rome!

Ciao, Ron

Here are some comments from folks I’ve worked with:

“Our time in Roma would not have been the same without you.  Your knowledge of your adopted  home, easy personality, and especially your gift of verbal  “picture painting” was certainly one of the reasons we had such a wonderful time!”        Terri & Donnie

“Everyone we met on our cruise was jealous when we told them how much you helped us see in just two days.”     Reese & Viv 

Your tips were very accurate…We will never forget all the help”       Irwin, Marly & Ian

“Thanks for all your help – you definitely made our vacation one with lots of great memories.  You are a great guide and do a lot ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ that makes you exceptional.”     Donna & Gary 

“I can’t begin to tell you how much you enhanced our vacation! You are a wealth of knowledge & enjoy sharing it, and in a very enjoyable way.  We saw so much more & appreciated it more with your help.  One of the days we tried to go alone was nearly a total waste.  We spent more time trying to read the map & finding our way on trains than we did sightseeing.  We were like… “Where is Ron?????”    Carol & Kenneth