Back to work: touring Rome after lockdown
We have been in strict lockdown from March to June (approximately). After 3 months of lockdown, Rome is slowly reopening. The majority of the Roman museums and archaeological sites are open and private tours are now allowed. Only a very limited number of tourists are visiting Rome at the moment, especially Italians and Europeans, and all the museums are pleasantly empty.
I was feeling lost: being a guide without tourists around…it was really frustrating. So I was so happy when a week ago, I was hired for three days by a family of 7, travelling from the North of Europe: happy, but also terrified!
Finally back to work! Even with some big changes.
How will it be touring Rome after the lockdown?
First of all, to visit the most important museums or sites you must book in advance your ticket.
it’s not a question of “skip the line” or not, it’s compulsory. The admittance is possible only with the reservation. Buying a ticket on the spot is not possible, ticket offices are closed or not fully working. This is valid for the Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican Museums but also for minor sites as the Centrale Montemartini.
So, with our “tickets” already booked, we arrived at the entrance of the Colosseum, respecting the time of the reservation. The staff is very strict, to avoid any gatherings, you can enter only when it’s time.
At the entrance after a short queue, they checked our body temperature with a small device: you’ll be stopped in case of high temperature. The queue was short at the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and at the Pantheon.
Instead at the Roman Forum we waited 45 minutes just to pass the security check. I was so warm when my body temperature was checked that they asked me to wait in the shade to cool my body down. As I write, the Forum has decided to open a second gate to limit the queue.
In all sites (even if outdoor) you have to wear a mask, and respect the social distancing while touring or queuing.
I was wearing a mask during the entire tour and so my clients. So even if you’re outdoor, if you’re a member of a group, please do not take off the mask.
It’s a question of respect for the guide, for the other member of the groups, and for all the visitors.
Since they’re more than 4 ,I’ve decided to rent a radio trasmission system: speaking with a mask is not easy, and thanks to the radios we’re respecting a good distances between the member of the group and the guide.
I’d suggest to send me a message before the booking, since rules are changing often. Some itineraries are not available or there are limitations. I can create a custom tour adapting the tour to the actual rules.
For instance, at the moment is not possible to reach the St.Peter’s Basilica directly from the Sistine Chapel, as usually we do in my Vatican Tour. We can visit the Museums, then we need to walk to the St.Peter’s Square and queue for the Basilica.
Once inside the sites, it’s incredible! I’ve never seen the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain so quiet. You can really enjoy art at the Vatican or the ruins at the Forum without fighting with big crowds.
So touring Rome after the lockdown is possible, you just need to be prepared and to respect the rules to avoid problems!
Now I’m an happy guide….and I’m here ready to welcome new clients!