Rome Illuminated Tours

How can we help?

What do you do, exactly?

We do fun and easy Rome adventures for families, couples, and small groups. All of our tours are private and each tour can be personalized to your heart's content. Your guide meets you at your hotel or at a point convenient to you, and your Rome adventure begins.

Which is the best tour?

The Best of Rome in Five Hours is our most popular tour among travelers who are on a quick first trip to Rome. For returning visitors, the most popular option is to customize a tour depending on what you saw before and what you're excited about this time.

Do you offer services in other parts of Italy?

Yes, we are now offering similar services in Florence and around Tuscany as well as in Naples and Pompeii. Just ask us!

Do you offer car and transfer services?

Yes, comfortable and classy car services are available during tours as well as for airports, cruises, and between cities. Just ask us!

How far in advance should I book?

We always do our best to welcome last minute and even same-day bookings, but we appreciate advance bookings since it gives us the time to reserve any special entry tickets, assign your guide, and make sure that everything is ready for you in advance.

Do you offer private or group tours?

We focus on private tours for families, couples, and small groups. However, during peak season (May, June, September and October) we do offer some group tours. Ask us if you're interested!

Are my kids going to be bored?

We love tours with kids and our tour style naturally lends itself to this. Private tours are meant to be flexible and with personalized tours we can always gear tours toward your children's interests and needs. Our tours are also very story-driven, even with history and art, with plenty of colorful characters and amazing events from Rome's past. Our tours are active and fun with lots to learn and we can always keep the content appropriate for kids.

How much walking will there be? Are there stairs?

Rome can be a work-out! From cobblestone streets to marble steps and archaeological excavations, this is a city that keeps you on your feet. If you want to pamper yourself, though, or to have a portable retreat from the summer heat most tours benefit from an optional private car. On walking tours we can always take breaks if you need for rests, snacks, and photos.

Is photography allowed?

Yes! We welcome our guests to take photos during the tour. Keep in mind that some locations prohibit flash photography (your guide will let you know when) and that no photography is permitted at religious celebrations or in the Sistine Chapel.

When can we eat?

Most local museums prohibit outside food and drink (apart from water bottles, which we encourage you to bring during the summer months), but there are so many wonderful places around Rome to purchase drinks and snacks and we'd love for you to sample these. Let us know in advance if you are interested in making Rome's culinary heritage one of the focal points of your tour.

What should I wear?

We recommend that you dress for comfort, especially your shoes, because on most tours we spend a lot of time on our feet and then, of course, there's all the marble pavement and uneven ground. Keep in mind that many sites around Rome and all over the Vatican require both men and women to wear clothing or scarves that cover the knees, midriffs and shoulders (although younger children are exempt from these rules).

What about bad weather?

Tours take place rain or shine with very few exceptions and if the weather looks iffy you can bring an umbrella or poncho in reserve. In extreme cases we may be able to reschedule a tour but in some cases it is not possible.

Do you sell tour gift certificates?

Yes, you can give a tour as a gift! Just email us about what you'd like to give and we can make the magic happen here in Rome.