‘Pleased’ with guide in Rome

Prior to a cruise out of Rome, we paid Holland America Line to arrange private touring and a stay for eight of us at a small, lakeside hotel, Nov. 4-7, 2011. During this time, our guide was Luigi Biavati of Sideways Tours Turistic Services (Rome; phone [00] 39 334 2376 681, e-mail sideways.tours@gmail.com).

Competent and very knowledgeable, Luigi did a great job. He speaks English fluently and has a great sense of humor.

On Nov. 4 he met us at the airport and drove us in the van to our hotel. Later, he took us to eat. In the morning, we all headed into Rome to see the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Vatican Museums and more.

The next day we went to the town of Castel Gandolfo, then Tivoli to see the Villa d’Este with its gardens and fountains.

We wanted something special that night, and Luigi suggested Agriturismo Monte Due Torri (Via Monte Giove, 77, 00045 Genzano di Roma (RM), Italy; phone +39 06 9363276, fax 93955403). We asked him and his wife to be our guests, as he would supply the transportation to this place about 30 kilometers outside of Rome.

The restaurant was fantastic. We dined below ground level in old ruins. The place was filled with interesting things, which Luigi pointed out. Only locals were there.

We were served a 4-course meal with wine from the property’s vineyard. There was music. The price came to $60 per person.

On Nov. 7, before boarding the Prinsendam, we did more touring with Luigi and had lunch. He always found places where lunch cost $10-$15 per person.

I am completely pleased with Luigi. I had been to Rome four times, and he found many new places for me to see. We would leave the van at places and walk. I felt that this time I got more of a flavor of the city, instead of just seeing ruins.

He wrote down his rates for me. For walking tours in the center of Rome, for up to six people he charges €160 (near $207) for three hours or €260 for seven hours, not including site entry fees. To the outskirts of Rome or outside the city, seven people will pay €300 for four hours or €550 for 10 hours, including transportation.

PHILIP SHART
Tamarac, FL