St Peter's Basilica and Papal Tombs tour, optional Dome

Appalling. Got a WhatsApp message 5pm the day before (8am tour next day) to say that the tour had been cancelled due to lack of demand. I thought this was a scam as couldn't believe that it could be cancelled at such short notice. I really thought going through a reputable company like Trip Advisor, this sort of thing did not happen. Obviously, apart from the messaging of the local operator via whatsapp there was nonother way of getting in touch with Trip Advisor in time to confirn the cancellation. I was told by the local operator that I would get my money returned to me. This has not as of yet happened and now I have been sent an email from Trip Advisor asking for a rating. Clearly, I have been scammed here (not sure to who's benefit) but just leaving this review to make sure anyone else doesn't get scammed in this way.

I was the only one booked, so they gave me a choice for an unguided audioguide tour or cancellation and a full refund. I chose a full refund because I wanted to do the dome climb. I booked a ticket with the Basilica website for the dome climb. I’m still waiting for the refund. We’ll see how it all works out because I have a Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and Basilica tour with the same company in a few days.

We booked this tour several weeks in advance. It was a small group tour. Well, evidently there is such a thing as “too small of a group”. They canceled our 0815 tour at 1715 the day before via WhatsApp. All previous communication had come via email. I don’t check WhatsApp on a regular basis so I did not know the tour was cancelled before I got to the meeting point. They said that they did not have enough people sign up for the tour. Isn’t that the point of a small group tour? They offered me the same trip the next morning, but I was leaving Rome the next morning and could not do that excursion. Therefore, I had no way of doing some of the things that are exclusive to tours. The clerk at the meeting counter acted like this was my fault because I did not get the message. If you expect any sort of customer service, do not book a tour with this company. I booked through Viator and this IS NOT a reflection on Viator. I have always had good luck booking through Viator. Viator, I would recommend you dropping this company from your list of providing vendors.

Estefania is a great guide, it was a pleasure to learn so many details of the history and art of the Basic San Pedro....very kind, understanding and attentive. Hugs and thanks . We will see you on future trips

We made this visit with caltabian stefania. We were delighted with his explanations, and how well he conveyed all his knowledge and how well he expressed himself in Spanish. Besides giving us some tips we asked you when visiting the city.

Our guide Stefania Caltabiano was wonderful, she explained and made us understand the history of the basilica perfectly in the time of the tour, I wish she had been our guide on the rest of the tours. Hopefully you will be our guide on upcoming tours of Rome

It was an exciting experience, thanks mainly to the excellent guide: Irene Amedeo. I particularly appreciated that each time he introduced what we went to visit with photographs, interesting information and even personal anecdotes. He also provided us with great support, answering every question and providing useful advice on places to visit, where to eat and where to buy. Thank you Irene! Josephine Scagliotti

The most beautiful guided tour we have ever done. Francesco a cultured person with the oratory skills of a children’s narrator told us about the museum in a funny way without making the route a history lesson.