Massimo delivered us quickly and safely to our tour guide, Marco. Marco was a terrific guide with wonderful knowledge of the Vatican from a historical perspective. Marco did a very thorough job giving us a great overview of the Vatican. To truly see the entire Vatican it would take several trips, we felt Marco did a great job of putting the Vatican into relative perspective given our time together. It is definitely a beautiful place to visit and highly recommended weather it is from a religious perspective or historical perspective.

Marco M.
About Marco M.
I was born in Rome and grew up spoiled by the amazing art, history, and delicious cuisine all around me.
I discovered my passion for art and history at a young age, when my grandmother took me to various museums and art exhibits around Rome.
For this reason I decided to study art history, and turning my passion into a career seemed like a great idea... and it was!
I feel I am very fortunate to be able to share my country, city, and culture with hundreds of visitors a year in this amazing place. I look forward to sharing stories of the past with you as well!
Being a tourguide is an amazing career that allows me to share my passion with people eager to learn about my city and culture.
I really enjoy the looks on peoples' faces when they learn something new, something interesting, something scandalous!
I also get a lot of pleasure from being able to recommend my favorite restaurants and cafes to my guests, so I know they'll be experiencing the best, authentic food Rome has to offer.
My favourite tours? Since I like a good mix between food and history, I must recommend our Rome Private Food Tour - I'll show you around, while you savor a typical Italian treat. Deal?
My tours are fun and informative! I try to provide a good balance between historical information and exciting stories of the past. Let me know what you like most, and I'll tailor your tour to match your interests.
Gallery
Reviews About Marco M.
We had Rosalaba, Rosie, for 2 tours in Rome-the Vatican early bird 7:30 am and the Coliseum underground and floor tour. She was so wonderful! We are a family of 5 (children ages 20,18 and 14). Rosie is so informative, patient, enthusiastic and flexible! We all learned so much and did not have one complaint. She can navigate any Roman landmark with ease. Book Rosalba and you will have an unforgettable experience!
Our Milan Private Day Tour was an absolute highlight of our trip! Our guide, Fiamma, was knowledgeable, friendly, and full of fascinating insights about the city. During our visit to the terraces of the Duomo di Milano, she pointed out details we never would have noticed on our own. We visited many of Milan’s iconic landmarks, concluding with The Last Supper, which was truly unforgettable. Fiamma kept a close eye on the schedule to ensure we didn’t miss our timed entry, yet we never felt rushed. She adjusted the itinerary as we went along to match our pace and interests. This private tour was the perfect way to see the best of Milan in a short amount of time. Highly recommended!
We had an absolutely fantastic experience with our tour guide during our visit to the Roman Colosseum and Roman Forum. From the start, they were professional, warm, and incredibly friendly, which immediately made us feel comfortable and welcomed. As an archaeologist, their depth of knowledge and passion for the history and culture of Rome was truly remarkable, and they explained everything in such an engaging and easy-to-understand way. What really stood out was how our guide brought the sites to life — weaving together historical facts, little-known details, and vivid storytelling that made us feel like we were stepping back in time. Beyond the tour itself, they also gave us excellent tips and recommendations for exploring the city, from hidden gems to practical advice that really enhanced the rest of our stay in Rome. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Professional, insightful, and personable, they truly made our visit an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend!
Marco gave us an incredible tour! We have been to the museum before and it felt like the first time . He was extremely knowledgeable. Excellent tour guide !! We would highly recommend the tour .
Guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable and great sense of humor. We got to see wonderful landmarks and perfect amount of time
Our eyes of Rome tour was phenomenal from start to finish! Marco our guide was a modern day Indiana Jones and truly brought history to life for us at the forum & colosseum. He was by far the most knowledgable guide we’ve ever had (which makes sense considering his phd in archeology)- but more than that, he had the rare gift of imparting that knowledge with wit, subtlety and infectious joy. Will be recommending this to any of our friends going to Rome- a true highlight of our trip!
We did two tours with eyes of Rome and both were EXCEPTIONAL! The golf cart tour gave us the incredible scope of Rome as a whole- and the forum/colosseum was an unparalleled experience! Truly highlights of our trip-and thank you to both of our amazing guides (Marco & Elisa) for making Rome come to life for us!
Our group of 6 booked the tour on Viator- Rome: Private Colosseum, Arena and Underground Tour with Pick-Up. Our guide, Marco, was so amazing-very friendly and informative. We thoroughly enjoyed the tours and had such a great time!
Rome is overflowing with incredible history and world-famous landmarks, but one experience that truly stood out was touring its breathtaking churches with Eyes of Rome. These aren’t just places of worship—they're masterpieces of art, architecture, and deep spiritual significance. If you're Catholic, this tour is an absolute must-do. Rome is truly the spiritual capital of Western Christianity, and visiting these sacred sites brings the richness of our faith to life. The beauty, inspiration, and historical depth of each church were simply indescribable. Our guide, Simone, was absolutely wonderful—knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate. He brought each stop to life with fascinating insights and stories. The air-conditioned van was a huge bonus, especially in the Roman heat, making the experience both comfortable and enjoyable. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough—it was a highlight of our time in Rome!
Our guide was late but very apologetic. We received a notice two days before that we would not be touring the st marks basilica because of sportsman jubilee. I think this tour is overpriced for what we got.
Marco was an amazing tour guide. The information he provided about the colosseum was amazing. He even recommended a place to eat afterward and helped us get there. The cave was also very informative.There kids really liked the caves but ensure you have food shoes. It’s slippery in some parts. I would highly recommend this trip. I have 2 12 year old boys and a 14 year old daughter who went with us and it kept them as well.
Our family of four (with two sons, ages 20 and 22) had the absolute pleasure of spending an unforgettable day in Rome with Katie as our private tour guide — and we can’t recommend her and Eyes of Rome highly enough. Katie led us through the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum with such incredible knowledge, energy, and warmth. From the very beginning, it was clear we were in the best hands. Her deep understanding of history and art was remarkable, but what truly set her apart was the way she brought everything to life — every story felt like a natural conversation, not a lecture. Even our sons, who can be hard to impress, were totally engaged and fascinated from start to finish. Katie also thoughtfully arranged a stop at a delicious local restaurant for lunch, which gave us a perfect break and a taste of authentic Roman cuisine. The hardest part of the entire experience? Saying goodbye at the end of the day. She made Rome come alive in a way we never expected, and it felt like leaving a friend behind. This was hands-down the best private tour we’ve ever taken — worth every penny. If you’re looking for a guide who is knowledgeable, personable, and passionate, Katie is the one. Highest praise and heartfelt thanks for an unforgettable experience!
Our guide Ellie was amazing. Her knowledge of history and architecture was remarkable and her presentation was wonderful. Her business card read 'storyteller' which is the perfect description. She made the Coloseum come to life. We learned so much.
Our experience with Sylvia as our tour guide for the Vatican was absolutely phenomenal! From start to finish, she ensured every detail was seamless and enjoyable. The day began with private transport to the Vatican, setting the tone for a luxurious and stress-free experience. Sylvia’s extensive knowledge of the Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel was truly remarkable. She brought history, art, and culture to life with captivating insights. Her ability to navigate the Vatican with ease allowed us to avoid the crowds and focus on the beauty and highlights of the sites. Sylvia has a warm personality and passion for her work. She took the time to answer all our questions, tailored the tour to our interests, and ensured we had ample time to admire the stunning masterpieces. This tour was a highlight of our trip. I highly recommend Sylvia if you’re planning a visit to the Vatican!
Pamela was incredibly knowledgable and had a remarkable mind for history. We loved every minute with her.
Gio was AMAZING!! I had her all to myself and I could not believe the amount of knowledge she had. It was perfect as I am a huge art history lover and her depth of knowledge on so many things was remarkable. She knew exactly where to stand to take the most amazing pictures and was able answer EVERY question I had. There is really no other way to see the Vatican! Thank you for a magical morning while in Rome!
Marco our guide was great and a wealth of knowledge. There was some waiting and uncertainty during pick up but overall a good day and recommend the tour.
We really enjoyed our tour with Marco on the 14th of Sept 2024. He was extremely informative, funny and helpful. It was great not having to wait in any queues. Our driver who picked us up was also very friendly.
Very satisfied with guide as she leads us through the busy colloseum with little to no wait. Understood the historial context of different landmarks - Excellent service and 10/10 would recommend
Marco was amazing. He is extremely knowledgeable and made our tour memorable and I really appreciated his time and attention in answering our questions and made us feel at home in the wonderful city of Roma.
Wonderful experience with Silvia Monti. Very professional, knowledgeable and articulate. Explained everything in details and gave us enough time to ask questions. Really an amazing experience. Love it! Mark Haygarth and Mandy Zakaria
Marco was an incredible guide with deep knowledge which made our visit memorable and highly education. Recommend completely!
Marco, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and informative. He gave us a brief history of each point of interest. He answered all of our questions and gave us ample time to view exhibits of interest to us.
Eyes of Rome, golf cart tour was amazing! It was a perfect thing to go everywhere and see everything in Rome. Our guide Marco was absolutely amazing with a wealth of knowledge, a great personality and sense of humor. He showed us hidden gems as well as all of the spots that you want to see In-depth. He told us great stories of the city, and all the sites as well. Gave us great tips for the rest of our stay in room also. Our driver, Eduardo was also extremely nice and very knowledgeable as well. They drove us all over the entire city, all the way up to the mountain of Gianicolo hill. It was an amazing view up there. This is absolutely the best way to see Rome! Definitely ask for Marco as your guide, as an archaeologist, he knew so much about all of the details of the city, and like I said, especially the hidden gems! What a wonderful experience. Thank you so much for an incredibly memorable time in Rome!
The tour guide was spectacular from the time she picked us up at our hotel and walked to the vatican to the time we said ciao after the tour at the gift shop. She was incredibly insightful and really knew when to teach us about the history and when to simply let the view capture the moment. My family was so excited for this part of our trip and it truly met and probably exceeded their expectations! Well done, mark
This tour by far has been the very best we’ve had in Italy! Marco is extremely knowledgeable and informative. Enjoyed he shared his excitement of the Vatican. We highly recommend Marco to anyone wanted to experience the Vatican
Marco was a great tour guide and conducted the tour on a nice pace to hit all the highlights. Having a private tour was so worth the money to get answers to our questions and not just general info. Definitely would recommend.
My recent experience on the Roman Forum and Colosseum tour was an absolute highlight of my visit to Rome. Led by the energetic and incredibly knowledgeable guide, Elisa, the tour brought the rich history of these ancient landmarks to life in a way that was both engaging and enlightening. From the moment the tour began, Elisa's enthusiasm was contagious. Her vibrant energy set the tone for the entire experience, ensuring that every participant was fully engaged and eager to explore the wonders of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Her passion for the subject matter was evident, and it made the tour not only informative but also truly enjoyable. One aspect of Elisa's expertise that truly stood out was her use of modern technology to enhance the tour. Her tablet was a treasure trove of references, visual aids, and insights that she seamlessly integrated into her commentary. These references provided invaluable perspective, allowing us to visualize the grandeur of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum as they once were. This thoughtful approach demonstrated Elisa's commitment to delivering a comprehensive experience that catered to various learning styles. Elisa's kindness, intelligence, and articulate communication were a testament to her exceptional qualities as a guide. She patiently answered every question, ensuring that even the most intricate inquiries were met with clear and insightful responses. Her ability to convey complex historical details in a relatable manner was truly impressive, leaving everyone in the group with a deep appreciation for the significance of these ancient ruins. What truly set Elisa apart was her remarkable skill in bringing the ruins to life. Through her vivid storytelling, the Roman Forum and Colosseum transformed from mere remnants of the past into living monuments with stories to tell. Her narratives bridged the gap between the present and the ancient times, allowing us to envision the vibrant history that once unfolded within these hallowed grounds. My experience on this tour was so remarkable that I'm already eagerly anticipating my next trip to Rome. Without a doubt, Elisa's guidance played an integral role in making this tour an unforgettable memory. I'm looking forward to returning to Rome and, when I do, I will not hesitate to seek out Elisa for another amazing tour. Moreover, Elisa's thoughtful recommendations extended beyond the tour itself. She provided a list of book titles that would allow us to delve deeper into the history and culture of ancient Rome from the comfort of our homes. This thoughtful gesture speaks to her dedication to fostering a lasting connection between her guests and the city's rich heritage. The Roman Forum and Colosseum tour with Elisa was a remarkable journey through time, artfully blending history and entertainment. Her energetic demeanor, technological enhancements, and insightful explanations truly elevated the experience. If you're seeking a guide who can transform ancient ruins into captivating tales, look no further than Elisa. I can't wait to return to Rome and embark on another unforgettable tour under her expert guidance.
Marko was a fantastic tour guide and provided us a great experience touring the Vatican. I'd go again with him again tomorrow if I could because he was so knowledgeable and passionate. Recommend him highly!
Marco was the best guide our entire trip. Great tour well worth it. Beating the giant line is an absolute must.
There are simply not words to explain how amazing our tour with Katie was! Her knowledge, passion and love for everything we visited help to make this such a special day for us. Not only was she able to bring the historic landmarks to life, but she also talked with us about current life in Italy and was happy to answer ALL of our questions - both historical and current. The time absolutely flew by! Definitely do this tour, and DEFINITELY ASK FOR KATIE!
Our Angels & Demons tour was terrific. Pick-up at our hotel was seamless and the tour was all that we’d expected. Marco was friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, providing insights into the architecture and the baroque period, with a healthy spattering of present-day connections. Just the right mix of art, architecture and history.
Early morning tour of the Vatican is very worth it if you can splurge for the tour. Maximo our driver was an absolute delight and Marco our tour guide was fantastic. We definitely felt secluded from the other groups and felt that the information was personalized. This was my second tour of the Vatican and this tour can’t be beat ever. The information and sights that I took away this time was phenomenal. Marco broke down the information so perfectly that we could relate understand and return stateside feeling like experts! ???????? Thank you
This is the way to see the Vatican, if you have the means! It’s worth it to avoid the crowds and lines and get the insider info from a knowledgeable guide. Loved the hotel pickup/drop off too. There were literally only about 20 other people in the Sistine Chapel with us. Wow! Four of us took this tour with Marco in late November. We had my MIL with us who is in her 70s, and Marco was very patient and kind about moving a little more slowly than the average tour. Marco also knew to look for the tiny door in St Peter’s Basilica that takes you underneath the altar to get a closer view of St. Peter and where the other popes are laid to rest. I highly recommend this tour and company. We did the underground Colosseum tour with them (and Marco) as well and it was fabulous!
I can't recommend this tour, this tour company, and specifically Marco enough. This was the trip of lifetime for my wife and I's anniversary and our 2 tours with Eyes of Rome are easily a huge highlight. This tour was with Marco...he's a walking Encyclopedia. Archeologist, story teller, genuinely seems to enjoy leading these tours. If you come to Rome, splurge on a half day private tour. You won't regret it! Thank you Marco!!
I took a private tour for Colosseum and Roman forum lasting 3 hours and paid 320euros. My guide Mierta was cheerful and very knowledgable giving me snippets into the Roman past as we first did Roman Forum and then visited Colosseum (ground and upper levels). Thanks to her I knew my way around both these famous landmarks. She is a delightful young lady with ever ready smile and is ready for any questions. I throughly enjoyed the tour but would have liked to see Palatine Hill more closely.
Wow! Marco really knows his stuff! He helped us navigate the crowds, made sure my daughter on crutches had access, showed us the highlights, surprised us with seldom seen corridors, and was patient and thoughtful!
Initially, I was hesitant to book this tour of the Vatican museum based on the cost but as I had been to Rome before I knew waiting in the lines was not going to be enjoyable (especially in the heat) and I also wanted someone knowledgeable to guide us through the vast array of exhibits and information. We added on the colosseum tour which wasn’t much more. There was a small hiccup at the beginning which Eyes Of Rome handled swiftly. Francesco was our guide and he had a remarkable knowledge of the artifacts in the Vatican and colosseum and was able to give us an overview which dramatically enhanced our experience. Without his assistance we would have seen some of the same things but without the context. It was a nice bonus that he happened to be funny and personable. Trust me, this is worth it-ask for Francesco!
The reason we rated the tour 5 stars was for Azzurra. Absolutely charming, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and a joy to be with. My son is an avid Roman history buff so this tour hit all the important sites. The real surprise was the additional tour of San Clemente Church. Do not miss it. Again, Azzurra brought it all to life and made a remarkable impression on all of us.
Esperienza molto bella ed interessante… Marco una grande guida!! Consigliatissimo!!! Persona molto piacevole e competente è stato come rivivere l’antica Roma!
Visiting the prison where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned, the place he was martyred and St. Pauls Basilica were very important places for us to see and experience when we visited Rome. Our guide Marco was exceptional. Knowledgeable, personable, interesting! We thoroughly enjoyed this tour and highly recommend.
I LOVED the Vatican tour we had. So much to see but Marco was fabulous and showed us so much more than we ever thought. Loved the hotel pick up as well
We have used Eyes of Rome and in particular their fabulous guide Katie for the past 8 years whenever we visit Rome. This trip she recommended this “the footsteps of Caravaggio tour” with the add on of a visit to a restoration studio. This was the experience of a lifetime. First the visit to the three churches with their Caravaggio paintings plus the wander through the back streets of Rome to view the apartment he rented (still in use!) made for a pleasant day. Katie’s knowledge of Caravaggio and his works and influence are mind expanding and well worth the morning walk through central Rome. The highlight was the visit to the restoration studio. WARNING This is very expensive but to us it was worth every euro. This studio had restored a Caravaggio. Their explanations and demonstrations on the painstaking work it takes to accomplish such a remarkable feat was again a lesson you would never get anywhere else. The amazing thing we have found about Katie and Eyes of Rome is their ease of transferring knowledge about your tour without overwhelming you with information. A tour well worth taking
This tour was a bit pricey, but book it now and don’t think twice! For the five of us, this experience was one of the best, most remarkable things we have ever done (and we travel quite a bit and are lucky to get to do nice things regularly). We were a group of five, including two boys (ages 10 and 12) and a grandma (age 75). Rosie met us at the apartment having arranged transportation to the Vatican. Once we arrived, she managed all the logistics and lines without us having to get involved one bit. Beyond the line and logistic management, though, Rosie created for us an experience we will never forget. With Rosie’s expertise, we experienced the Vatican in a way we could not have imagined, and our boys are still talking about it and wondering if and when Rosie can come visit in Colorado. Thanks to Rosalba and Eyes of Rome for a wonderful time that exceeded every expectation!
Marco Mancini provided us a wonderful time exploring the Roman Forum and the Colloseum with such expertise and warmth. We couldn't have been more pleased with the tour.
Marco Mancini provided us a wonderful time exploring the Roman Forum and the Colloseum with such expertise and warmth. We couldn't have been more pleased with the tour. Magnificent.
We took this tour as the second of 6 days of touring with Eyes of Rome in Rome and the adjacent areas. We extend the tour in advance by adding the Palatine Hill, the Hypogeum (or underground portion of the Colosseum), the Basilica di San Clemente and the Catacombs. The tour was scheduled to last six hours not including lunch. This was our second day touring with Katie. Katie wowed us on our customized City Walking tour and continued to amaze us on this tour. Katie was an Art History major who had gone to Rome on a Fulbright Fellowship and had never left. Katie changed the order of things to make them more efficient. We started out at the Basilica di San Clemente, which had an almost Byzantine looking apse. Like many churches in Rome, it was built on an older church which in turn was built on even older buildings. Portions of these have been excavated and are open via stairways. IMO, the older portion was even more interesting. We saw a mithraeum, a temple of the god Mithras that had been built into a private home. Katie took us to another room which had been the temporary home of Rome’s mint where we could hear running water (which was needed by the mint). After we left, Katie asked if we wanted to go into a nearby shopping mall, which made no sense until we saw that the basement wall included the subterranean water line leading to the mint. As you can tell from this aside, Katie knew the rest of the story and communicated it in an entertaining and informative way. We then walked past a portion of the old gladiator training grounds to the Colosseum for the Hypogeum tour. This was conducted by the Colosseum staff and not the Eyes of Rome guides. While the guide was good and informative, I was disappointed because the accessible area was so small relatively speaking. Due to time constraints we did not do the upper level of the tour and rejoined Katie. Personally, unless your dying to see the wood elevator, you should save your money and skip the Hypogeum. We then started climbing the Palatine Hill and toured the huge palace of Domitian. Katie told us about the now missing highly polished marble walls. We then toured the Farnese Gardens built on the northern portion of the hill with its fabulous views of the Forum. This to me showed ancient Rome at its best. By this time, we were hungry and Katie suggested we try Cavour 313 a wine bar/restaurant nearby. She accepted our invitation to join us but made it quite clear that it wasn’t necessary. I remember the food and wine were both good but I don’t remember enough to post a review. The price was moderate for 3 people with wine. At this point the only thing left was the catacombs. We took a taxi to the Catacombe di Santa Domitilla which was outside the old city limits. My wife and I knew not to expect bodies or skeletons like those in Paris, so the major thing to see were cutout shelfs in the wall. The number of small cutouts was a reminder of how many children never made it adulthood before the invention of vaccines and modern medicine in general. It was remarkable how well Katie knew the various passage ways pretty much like the back of her hand. She again told us a number of stories that kept our interest up. At this point my wife and I were pretty well toured out. Katie was going in a different direction but got us a cab using phone app to get us a cab and stayed around until it arrived After 2 days of touring, Katie and the Eyes of Rome exceeded our expectations in just about every way.
Thank you, Eyes of Rome, for the incredible walking tour: In the Footsteps of Caravaggio.The conversations with our guide, Stefania Pistone, will be with us always, and were the highlight of our time in Rome. Stefania is a remarkable educator. On a sparkling morning in February, we met at the Piazza de Popolo, marveling at the light, and Stefania helped us understand how the Renaissance architects were architects of light, using their design sense to heighten the theatricality of the natural light in the place we were standing, centuries after it was designed, and still sparkling. From the Caravaggio paintings we learned about together in small, out of the way churches, to the Pantheon whose history came alive thanks to Stefania, we look forward to returning to Rome and to the chance to explore more with Eyes of Rome as our guides.
We contacted Eyes of Rome requesting a tour for our extended family of 10 on very short notice. Eyes of Rome was very responsive and Claudia and Adam suggested several options that would meet our needs. Given the number of people in our group and one person with mobility limitations, we opted for two different private tours with pickup/dropoff at our accommodations. The first one was at the Colosseum, followed a few days later by a second tour of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. On the first day, our tour guide, Francesco Grasso, arrived right on time with the drivers and took us over to the Colosseum. We spent several hours exploring the Colosseum, and Francesco was able to tell us many stories of the history of the Colosseum and what life was like during ancient times. As it was extremely hot, we stopped many times to rest while Francesco filled us in on different information regarding the Colosseum, and helped refill our water bottles as well from the natural springs on site. The length of the tour was just right for us on a hot summer day, and we enjoyed learning all about the amazing Colosseum. After the tour, Francesco also sent us recommendations for other sights and restaurants to check out in Rome. Thank you, Francesco! A few days later, we did our second tour. The Private Early Bird Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica Tour was the perfect way for our family, including grandparents and teenagers, to see the Vatican museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. Our guide, Marco Mancini, picked us up from our hotel and we got to bypass all the other people waiting in a long line to get into the Vatican. Marco led us through the Vatican museums, explaining each sight as we went, and sharing many interesting tidbits related to the history and geography. Marco made sure to keep the pace slow enough so everyone could keep up, was patient in explaining all the details of the various pieces to us, and answered all of our questions so knowledgeably. The walk through St. Peter's Basilica was amazing, and Marco prepped us on what to look for in the Sistine Chapel prior to our entering, since tour guides are not allowed to lead tours in the Sistine Chapel. One person in our party needed to use a wheelchair, and Marco was very thoughtful and helpful with the wheelchair. Overall it was an excellent way to see the sights with such a nice and knowledgeable tour guide. Thank you so much, Marco!
We had Marco as our guide on the Colosseum Tour- he was awesome! A perfect mix of history and current day facts and stories with his own personal experiences and recommendations. The Colosseum truly came alive due to his great tour. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rome!
Michela Gristina met us on time at our house and took us on a remarkable journey of life in Ancient Rome skipped queues and was very factual and interesting would certainly recommend this to anyone well done ???? happy guests we are
We had a private family tour of the Colosseum and Roman forum with Elisa. The tour was truly excellent. While the Colosseum and Forum were unusually busy when we went (public holiday), Elisa swiftly navigated us through the crowds and into the Colosseum. She was highly knowledgeable and supplemented her descriptions with a photographic presentation which really helped us to understand the history of this remarkable construction. Importantly, she also made it fun for our children who loved the tour. The tour continued with a walk through the Roman Forum. Again, Elisa's genuine love for the history of her city shone through and we found this part of the tour very interesting and entertaining. The price for the tour was fair and I would have no hesitation in recommending the Eyes of Rome and Elisa, our guide, to anyone interested in learning more about the incredible history of this amazing city.
Marco was a wonderful guide for the Colosseum and Forum, blending history, stories and archeology (he is an Archeologist by training who seems to often be at various dig sites). The private tour is well worth the time and expense.
Marco Mancini was TRULY above and beyond. I can't emphasize enough how worth it the private, guided tour was. Being able to really hear and interact with Marco made all of the difference and we are BLOWN away by how knowledgable he is. He even went so far as to walk us to a neat spot for a drink after the tour and give other recommendations for us to check out. Cannot recommend Eyes of Rome/him enough!!!!!
Marco was a spectacular guide. He entertained the whole family and was a joy to listen to. I wouldn't do tours in Italy any other way. Book him now. Do not hesitate he was perfect.
Fantastic tour for both morning and afternoon with our guide, Luisa! Skip-the-line tickets for Colosseum were absolutely essential. We had 3 young children and 2 grandparents on the tour and after a morning of walking in the hot sun, the golf cart tour recommended to us was an excellent decision. As for Luisa herself, she was a great storyteller whose passion showed through during the tour and was very knowledgeable. We needed to find a restaurant for lunch in between and she recommended a restaurant that was much appreciated as it was near (saves us from walking), well air-conditioned and served excellent food. She even went beyond her call of duty when I told her I needed to run to a supermarket to find diapers for my baby and offered to walk with me to find it (in case I needed her Italian to save my life). Thank you, Luisa!
I traveled to Rome with my 2 daughters (ages 8 and 10) a few days before meeting my husband for a family cruise. This tour was our first excursion of the trip and one of our favorite memories. I purchased the tour and one other on trip advisor in advance and received an email from Eyes Of Rome requesting our hotel information. I replied with the information and requested a guide who worked well with children. On the day of our tour we were greeted in our hotel lobby by Fabiana. She was very friendly and immediately began bonding with the girls telling us she has 2 daughters almost the same age. The hotel pick up was very convenient and helpful our first day in the city. During the drive Fabiana began giving us information and pointing out landmarks along the way. Our first stop was the Forum. This was my favorite tour of our entire trip. Fabiana kept my children and myself fascinated with the information she provided. She was very informative and kept the kids interested at all times. She provided pictures to help us imagine what the area looked like in ancient times and told us interesting stories. We went at a pace the girls were comfortable with and stopped to take photos and drink water as frequently as they liked. Our next stop was the Colosseum. It was crowded, as expected, but Fabiana got us through the line in no time and took us to the less crowded areas. Her expertise was a life saver as it would have been overwhelming to fight the crowd without her help. Again she provided information to make the venue come alive for us. My older daughter was eager to buy souvenirs so we had some time n the gift shop before exiting. At the end of the tour, Fabiana led us to a taxi, told the driver where to take us and paid for the ride. Again very convenient and easy. We had such a wonderful experience with Fabiana that we requested her her for our tour of the Vatican the next day. I highly recommend this tour and Fabiana. We had many tours throughout our two week trip and Fabiana was our very favorite guide. My girls repeatedly asked if she could be our guide even when we were in different cities or countries.
Awesome experience. Marco was fantastic - very engaging and provided a very rewarding experience to a group with a variety of levels of knowledge on ancient Rome. Will absolutely use them again.
Marco was on time for hotel pickup. He was very knowledgeable about the area’s archeological history as well as the human history of the area and its peoples. It was well worth the time and money to have Marco as our guide.
We enjoyed our private tour with Marco Mancini very much. Marco picked us up promptly at 8:30 and we went of to ancient Rome. He is super knowledgeable and patient, kept my boys (12 and 8) Interested the whole time. If I knew how good the tour would be I would’ve pre-booked another tour of the Vatican City. p.s. Being able to skip the lines was totally worth it during a hot June day! Grazie.
This tour was made especially enjoyable due to our guide Marco. He was very enthusiastic and informative in an entertaining way. Highly recommend this tour.
Fabiana made our tour a fantastic experience! She’s truly amazing. Her knowledge of ancient, medieval and modern Rome’s art history and archeology is remarkable! Her patience and charm added made our 4 hr visit exceptionally rewarding!
This tour was amazing and our guide, Marco, was fantastic! Honestly, we thought we were doing a group tour, we didn't mean to purchase the private tour, but we're glad we did! Personal attention, great guide, plus you get to pass everyone and see extra things that others didn't see. Wonderful! THANK YOU MARCO!!!
We were in Rome 23.5 years ago and missed visiting Vatican City, due to bad timing. This time we returned with our kids now 19 & 21 and were NOT going to miss it again! We choose the Hidden Gems tour and had the pleasure of having Marco as our guide. Considering he was a professor and an archeologist on vacation from a project it was a true strike of luck to get so much historical information. Our son called him an Italian Indiana Jones. Lol. We were pleased that we were the only people in our tour, no flags and no lines. What a great experience.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed Marco's company and knowledge of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. We both agreed that his knowledge helped us imagine the ruins in their prime. The "skip-the-line" portion of the ticket was worth the price alone. Had we visited the sites on our own, we would've spent a large portion waiting in lines and trying to read all the plaques infront of the ruins to understand the history. Thank you Marco and Eyes of Rome for the amazing experience!
Absolutely wonderful tour with Alessandro Cali! As an archaeologist who worked excavations in the forum, his knowledge was absolutely amazing. More than that, he was able to describe the way things were and give us a real feel for the remarkable sights we were viewing. Funny and fun, cannot recommend this way of seeing the Forum and Colosseum highly enough. Many thanks!
Be sure to book Marco M to guide you through the maze of visitors for a close-up, personal, knowledgeable and truly educational experience. His knowledge of history as well as architecture is truly inspiring. Be sure to ask him for his secret Vatican tips!
Today we went to the vatican museum with Marco. No lines, great explanations of the story behind the art. Our guide was very friendly and well educated.
Thoroughly enjoyed our time with Marco I can't think of anybody that would be more knowledgeable in archaeology.architecture and history. It was like being with a friend who is extremely knowledgeable of the areas that we went to and was able to answer all the questions that we had. Thanks Marco I hope to do it again soon sometime ciao
10 of us traveled for a sporting for a sporting event and decided on the private Colosseum tour. We were fortunate to get Marco as our guide (dont know 2nd name). Sometimes you get tours and you know the information shared is scripted which over time can come across as disinterested. Not with Marco!! He was him back in Rome after doing a dig in Tehran, his job is archaeology and historical ruins and history behind them. Wow, did he know his stuff and kept it relevant and interesting throughout. Even when he was not able to take us into the Forum due to the strong winds, he was able to take us to a separate historical church and spend 45-minutes there taking us through this history including a visit to the underground crypt. The 3-hours just flew by and everyone stated it was a great experience
Valeria Canfarini is a passionate and highly educated guide! We enjoyed her insight and enthusiasm and will refer her to all of our friends who visit Roma! Thank you Valeria! Nancy and Mark, Minnesota USA
We did two tours, the Colosseum (including the Underground and Hypogeum) and the Early Bird Vatican and St. Peter's Tours, both with Stefania. We are a family of four and had our 12yo and nearly 15yo with us. Stefania was an excellent match for a family. We had another outstanding and highly qualified guide in another city following Rome, and the kids thought she paled in comparison to Stefania. Of course they appreciated Stefania's knowledge and willingness to answer questions, but they loved her energy and enthusiasm. One of the kids remarked that she never made us stop moving just to stop, look, and listen to her talk, by which I think he meant he felt fully engaged the entire time. I highly recommend the Underground and Hypogeum at the Colosseum if it is available and you are able to spend extra. The workings of the Colosseum from below were the most interesting to my teen and really added context and color to the history of the building. The more or less private view from the highest tier far away from the bulk of the crowds was also worth it. It was worth getting up early for the Vatican and St. Peter's tours, because we were able to enjoy the Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms before it was SRO. We were even able to find multiple seats from which to peruse the Sistine Chapel ceiling. As a Renaissance art lover, I was disappointed that we didn't get to see more of the rest of the Vatican's collection, but if I'm honest, we saw all that the kids realistically had patience and interest in. We visited on New Year's Eve, and much of St. Peter's was closed off in preparation for the next day's papal mass. That was a disappointment, particularly because I'd been waiting 17 years to see Michelangelo's Pieta again. I would recommend inquiring when papal masses will be and try to schedule around them, particularly if you are visiting around the Christmas/New Year's holiday. I highly recommend Stefania as a guide and would hire her again if returning to Rome.
Excellent guided tour of churches with Marco Mancini from Eyes of Rome. We visited: Pantheon, Santa Maria della Vittoria , San Luigi di Francesi , San Pietro in Vincoli, Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Marco is an archaeologist and he taught me alot about all the places we visited. Not just the works of art, but also stories about the artists (Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Bernini) and I learned a bit about about the history of Italy. Marco was very good company also. We spoke in Italian, because i wanted to practice.. That was great for me.
It was a pleasure to tour with Marco. He shared his knowledge of the Vatican and his passion for the Colosseum in an easy, understandable manner. As first time visitors we will ask for him when we return.
The Private Vatican Hidden Gems tour is excellent and outstanding. Our guide was Marco and he was exceptionally good. A very nice guy and knowledgeable.
My 70+ year old parents had an amazing time with Rosalba touring the Vatican. She was patient, intelligent, fun, and extremely knowledgeable. My mom said she “knew every corner of sistine chapel… she pointed out details, oddities that one would not otherwise have seen when walking through.” She has a lot of art history educational training and museum experience and it was evident during the tour as she did a great job explaining the history of artists and artworks throughout the buildings. My parents remarked that they never could tour the site without Rosalba - when they arrived there was an incredibly long line to get in. But as soon as they walked up, Rosalba showed her badge to someone and they cut the line. Incredibly painless and convenient and stress free trip, unbelievably! My mom has some difficulty walking, which I specified to Eyes Of Rome prior to the tour. Going with a wonderful private guide like Rosalba was the solution - Rosalba led my parents through the museum at a pace that was comfortable for my mom. My dad said it was the most engaging and intimate way to see the Vatican, “Like three friends walking through the museum.” Except one of them - of course -Rosalba - was extremely knowledgeable! Thank you so much, Rosalba, for taking good care of my parents. This was a once in a lifetime experience and I think if you hire one private tour during your Rome trip, it should be for the Vatican due to its scale and crowds — and if you’re lucky you can book with Rosalba :)
Today we had the most fabulous morning at the Vatican and whilst the sights, art and history are truly remarkable, Francesco Grasso our guide was truly outstanding. We are two families, with five children, our youngest are two 9 year old boys. A tough task to keep kids of that age engaged but Francesco was able to achieve it brilliantly. His knowledge of the city, his English speaking skills, his humour and his natural charisma ensured our experience was the best it could possibly be despite the boiling hot weather. We can’t recommend Francesco enough. If you want to see the sights of Rome, book him!!!!
This colosseum tour was excellent. Our guide, Marco, was a full-fledged professional archeologist who provided terrific information about the history of the sites and their historical context. We were very grateful to have such a high quality guide. Also a very nice person who made the tour a pleasant experience. The colosseum itself is well worth seeing if you’re in Rome. As an archeological site it does not disappoint. Highly recommend this tour and this company. Ask for Marco!
Silvia M is an amazing tour guide. She picked us up at our apartment for a private tour. She had great energy, knowledge and stories to bring the landmarks to life. Silvia M even kept the attention of our teenage children - which is an amazing feat! I highly recommend Silvia M and this tour.
Marco met us promptly at our hotel for a private tour of the Coliseum. He had an incredible knowledge of the history of the Coliseum which was quite different than we had expected from Gladiator movies. It also happened to be the final day of the Giro Italia and he positioned us in a great place to watch the final laps. It was a little difficult to get around because of the race .. but it wasn’t a problem for Marco. He went out of his way to make us comfortable and took some great pics for us as well.
Though this was our second visit to the Vatican, Marco with his vast knowledge of history made this tour a real journey through the ages. It was the highlight of our trip to Rome! I can't imagine anyone better suited to guide this wonderful tour. He was not only very informative but very personable as well. What a wonderful day he afforded us. We will remember this special day and the knowledge he imparted always.
This tour was amazing. From the beginning when we booked to when we bid farewell our our tour guide, Marco at a fantastic cafe he recommended we were so impressed with Marco's knowledge, his willingness to tailor the tour to what we wanted and to make sure we had a brilliant afternoon. If you are travelling to Rome PLEASE book a tour with Marco. You will not be disappointed.
We utilized Eyes of Rome for a tour in Rome (May 29) and in Florence (May 30). In Rome, we had a group of 13 (including two children) and in Florence we had a group of 16 (including three children). In Rome, we opted to do the Colosseum Tour and had Maria as our Tour Guide. A couple of us had already been to the Colosseum before (and had a private tour guide then). However, the majority of our group had not, so we found Eyes of Rome and decided to give them a shot. We were so blessed to have Maria. She was so engaging and provided so many details about the Colosseum and the Roman Forum that those of us that had been there many times before...learned something new. She kept the children so engaged and told so many stories that the kids said this was one of their favorite stops on our vacation. We were able to see so many things within the Forum Maria was a wealth of knowledge and I would highly recommend utilizing her for any tour that you book within Rome. We were on a Disney cruise, so our next stop was in Florence. In Florence, we had more of our travel party attend the tour. Our tour guide was Marco. Let me say, this was just as good as our time in Rome. We were running late (as our charter bus was coming in from Livorno, and we had to drive to Florence...) and our bus driver couldn't speak English that well, so we asked Marco to call our charter bus driver and he literally met us right at where the charter bus was dropping us off. The walking tour took us throughout the city and Marco was so knowledgeable, kind, engaging, and helped us to learn and enjoy the culture of Florence. This was my parent's favorite tour and I would highly recommend this one as well. Overall, you cannot beat Eyes of Rome. Both of our tour guides were a wealth of knowledge and had so much charisma that was engaging the entire time we were with them. Do not hesitate...utilize them. It is so worth it.
We utilized Eyes of Rome for a tour in Rome (May 29) and in Florence (May 30). In Rome, we had a group of 13 (including two children) and in Florence we had a group of 16 (including three children). In Rome, we opted to do the Colosseum Tour and had Maria as our Tour Guide. A couple of us had already been to the Colosseum before (and had a private tour guide then). However, the majority of our group had not, so we found Eyes of Rome and decided to give them a shot. We were so blessed to have Maria. She was so engaging and provided so many details about the Colosseum and the Roman Forum that those of us that had been there many times before...learned something new. She kept the children so engaged and told so many stories that the kids said this was one of their favorite stops on our vacation. We were able to see so many things within the Forum Maria was a wealth of knowledge and I would highly recommend utilizing her for any tour that you book within Rome. We were on a Disney cruise, so our next stop was in Florence. In Florence, we had more of our travel party attend the tour. Our tour guide was Marco. Let me say, this was just as good as our time in Rome. We were running late (as our charter bus was coming in from Livorno, and we had to drive to Florence...) and our bus driver couldn't speak English that well, so we asked Marco to call our charter bus driver and he literally met us right at where the charter bus was dropping us off. The walking tour took us throughout the city and Marco was so knowledgeable, kind, engaging, and helped us to learn and enjoy the culture of Florence. This was my parent's favorite tour and I would highly recommend this one as well. Overall, you cannot beat Eyes of Rome. Both of our tour guides were a wealth of knowledge and had so much charisma that was engaging the entire time we were with them. Do not hesitate...utilize them. It is so worth it.
Grazie Marco per la competente e simpatica guida durante la visita al Vaticano. Speriamo di riuscire ad incontrarci in un‘altra occasione. Per ora cari saluti ed auguri per il prossimo viaggio Franziska e Luigi
Marco Teodonio was the consummate guide throughout our private tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. He was friendly and entertaining while always being aware of his work guiding us, keeping us clear of queuing crowds, making sure we were well hydrated and coffee'd up... Marco's exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about his beloved city of Rome and is enthusiastic about sharing that with us. Which made our time with him entertaining, fascinating, and truly enjoyable. Rome's weather was great, Marco was great... what a great day!
Marco Teodonio was the consummate guide throughout our private tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. He was friendly and entertaining while always being aware of his work guiding us, keeping us clear of queuing crowds, making sure we were well hydrated and coffee'd up... Marco's exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about his beloved city of Rome and is enthusiastic about sharing that with us. Which made our time with him entertaining, fascinating, and truly enjoyable. Rome's weather was great, Marco was great... what a great day!
Serena was very lovely. Met us at our hotel and took us to the Colosseum and Roman Forum ruins. She is very knowledgeable and friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. She was helpful on where to go for the rest of th the day as well to see local markets and dining.
My family and I had the delight of spending an afternoon at the Colesseum with Marco. He was very informative and really brought the experience alive. He also managed to pitch it at the right level so that both our 8 year old and the adults got the maximum from the tour. I honestly can't rate him or the tour highly enough.
This will be the best 3 hours you will ever spend in Rome, guaranteed! Ask for Marco Teodonio - he's a young historian with a great sense of humour who'll make your tour in Rome leap out of the past into dramatic colour. Don't miss your chance.
I can't express how great our tour with Fabiana was. At first, my two young children didn't seem interested in a three hour long walking tour about churches, relics and sculptures. The lines were long, looping around the block. Skipping the line with Fabiana was a tremendous advantage. She was so excited to meet them and immediately showed them the unique details of the Vatican that excited them. She was effervescent and knowledgeable and fun. She answered ALL of their questions and gave details that you could never find in a guide book. In the most crowded areas, she took us through private rooms of the Vatican, and found the emptiest bathrooms and the best souvenir shop. She even was able to help my kids obtain rare and unique Pope coins. She was remarkable and energetic throughout the whole tour. She could read my children and tell when they were tired and needed a rest or a diversion. And she made sure I also got taken care of so I could have a chance to admire and awe the ceiling of my dreams. Fabiana took care of us and made sure we got the most of our vacation.
We have been talking about this tour as one of the highlights of our two-week Italian trip. Marco Mancini is a trained archaeologist who was both knowledgeable and personable. I don't think it would have been possible to pack more information into so entertaining a tour. We had one person with limited walking ability, and Marco was able to work with that.
On our first trip to Rome, my partner took the very wise decision to book our trip to the Vatican through Eyes of Rome. It's certainly paid off, as our guide, Elisa, is absolutely stunning in her knowledge and presentation of the vast history and art of the Vatican City. Elisa met us at the hotel and was so friendly and helpful, we felt like we'd known her for years. Our mini-van taxi arrived promptly and we were whisked off to Vatican City. Elisa chatted to us and also pointed out important landmarks on the way. On arrival at the Vatican, she took care of the entrance fees, then explained the itinerary and sat us down to look at pictures of the Sistine Chapel on her large tablet. This was because guides are not permitted to guide in the Chapel and, in fact, no one is supposed to speak, or take photos there. I'd asked if we could see the Egyptology Collection, and Elisa kindly managed to fit in the highlights, despite the time limitations. (Including hotel pick up, the tour lasted approximately 3 hours 20 minutes.) We saw the Vatican Museum, including a VIP tour of the Hall of the (Stone) Animals, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Bascilica. Highlights for us were the Egyptology Collection, the Hall of (Stone) Animals, the Map Room and the Tapestry Room. Throughout, Elisa showered us with golden nuggets of her breath-taking knowledge. If you want to visit the Vatican, please do it properly. If you go with Eyes of Rome Storytellers, you'll skip the 2 hour entrance queues and have a fabulous cultural experience. And come away with a real sense of this very special place.
Serena took us through the Colosseum and Forum and broadened our ancient Roman horizons. The depth of her knowledge was amazing, and she was especially solicitous of our friend who had difficulty walking. Giuliano guided us the next day on a golf cart tour through Rome and then on a private tour of the Vatican Museum, where he arranged for a wheelchair. What we learned about the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's was jaw-dropping. Mosaics-- who knew? Both Giuliano and Serena are like personable scholars, and made all the difference in our experience. Highly recommended for getting the most of these essential Roman landmarks.
Our tour guide Karin Libri provided us with the perfect combination of knowledge, insight, and laughter of these magical landmarks. We could not have hoped for a more rewarding experience, and better guidance in learning about this complex and fascinating part of Rome. She had answers to all our questions and it almost felt as if we walking through Ancient Rome. Brava Karin!
Our hotel recommended "Eyes of Rome" and it turned out to be an outstanding recommendation. Under the brilliant guidance of tour guide Maria, six of us went on two amazing adventures including the Vatican, and the Colosseum and surrounding areas. Rome has now become my favorite city in the world. Maria's English is outstanding and her depth of knowledge remarkable. And, she has great passion for Rome, it's history and the work she does. I learned so much during these tours. Thank you Maria for making tours fun!
This was the 3rd tour we had done with Eyes of Rome as each time we come to Rome it's exciting to share new and interesting places with these highly professional guides Katie was our guide this time and her knowledge was remarkable Her pleasant and friendly nature added to the delightful and informative tour of the Catacombs Di Priscilla and Chiefs San Clemente We highly recommend this company
My Family and I had three seprate tours with Angela Caiati , after the first day touring the Colosseum and Roman Forum we made sure to request Angela for day two and three. we toured the Vatican and St Mark's Basilica on day two and Villa Borghese on day three. Angela's deep expertise on the history and the way she presented the information to us was excellent, she certainly made our three tours very interesting and very memorable.
Amazing tour - both Francesco and Marco gave wonderful, informed and a passionate tours of The Vatican, St Peter's Basilica, The Sistine Chapel, The Coloseum and The Forum. Learned a lot and enjoyed.the company of these two guys immensely. Extra credit to both our guides for recommending amazing coffee & incredible restaurants.
Booked this tour as part of family trip,to Rome. Our Guide Marco Mancini arrived to collect us from our hotel very promptly. Marco is clearly a passionate historian indeed he is an extremely experienced archaeologist and kept my family and I fully entertained and informed on the tour. We started at the Coloseum and through the archeological zone visiting Basilica Santiago Cosma and Damiano and finishing in Santa Maria Aracoeli. Throughout the tour he was giving great insight, answering our wquestions with ease and adding colour to the stories and legend of Old Rome. I would not hesitate to recommend him as a tour guide to anyone visiting Rome
Our guide, Marco, was excellent. On time, knowledgeable, personable. He went at our pace. Very enjoyable and worthwhile!
No es la primera vez que visitamos el Vaticano, pero esta, ha sido realmente una visita extraordinaria, y la diferencia sin duda la marco nuestro guia Francesco Grasso, lo recomendamos!!! quien hizo una visita amena, con sentido del humor y con todo lo que nos enseño.Un paseo inolvidable GRACIASS!!! Volveremos
My adult daughter and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with Serena, visiting landmarks that were significant in the life of Saint Paul. I have visited Europe at least once a year for the past 15 years and can say that Serena was one of the most informed guides I have ever had the pleasure of using. In addition to her knowledge, she was outgoing, friendly, and spoke excellent English. We could not have asked for a more educational and enjoyable experience.