Old City Walk

Nous avons passé une matinée magique au Vatican grâce à Paola. Nous avons pu profiter de la Chapelle Sixtine avant la foule, avec les explications de Paola au préalable qui nous ont donné des clés de lecture géniales. On sent que Paola s’adapte à ses interlocuteurs, la visite est vivante, elle délivre le bon niveau d’informations (ciblées, pas barbante du tout), à un rythme agréable. Cette visite nous a permis ensuite d’apprécier différemment la ville (voir les Caravage, les Raphaël sous un autre angle) et de profiter des conseils de Paola sur les lieux à visiter. Merci Paola pour ce moment inoubliable !

We were two couples with a short amount of time in Rome. We felt it was important to have a guide to see both the Vatican and Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum and Roman Forum. We made arrangements to see both with Paola Lauro and it was the best decision we could have made. Paola met us at our hotel before both tours. We took a taxi together to the Vatican and she whisked us right through the entrance and into the Museums. Paola showed us the most important pieces and rooms there and then spent about 15 minutes sitting with us and teaching us about what we would see in the Sistine Chapel. As there is no talking allowed in the Chapel it was important for us to know what we would be seeing and where each panel was. Paola is so knowledgeable about art, art history, and the history of Rome and the Roman Empire and was so interested in making sure we were understanding the importance of all that we were seeing. Also, it is so important to have a guide as we never waited in any lines and this would not have been possible if we’d entered on our own. After the Chapel we walked to St. Peter’s Basilica and, again, entered without a wait and viewed the Pieta and the other important pieces there. We were in awe of all that we saw and know that it was because of Paola that we were able to appreciate all that we saw. It was 6:30 pm on a dark rainy evening when we finished our tour and there were no cabs to be found. Paola was so kind to take us under her wing and guided us back to our hotel using the underground which we would have definitely not figured out on our own. What a blessing to have found Paola and Unique Roman Guide.

The following day Paola again met us at our hotel and we walked together to the Roman Forum and Colosseum. What a fabulous experience again. We were blown away by the history here. Paola again shared all of her historical knowledge with us and made sure that we understood all that we were seeing. As we walked from Palatine Hill towards the Colosseum Paola took us through a chapel that opened out onto a patio that overlooked the Colosseum and we had our first up close view. It was unbelievable. We had booked our tickets far enough in advance that when we entered the Colosseum we were able to enter onto the main floor (bypassing all entry lines once again) and had a most enjoyable and informative discussion about the gladiators and their lives and how they came to be “the show”.

Merci à Paola pour cette magnifique visite. Ces 4 heures ont passé tellement vite ! Paola est une guide formidable qui sait tout sur le musée et le rend accessible avec compétence et humour. Le tout dans un français absolument parfait. Nous recommandons chaleureusement Paola !

Having Paola guide us was a wonderful way of experiencing the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. She was very professional, warm and her knowledge and passion made many of the painting and sculptures come to live. She was very thorough in her explanation of the Sistine Chapel and catered to my two teenager’s interests. We were fortunate to be able to visit during a quiet time and in such a personal way. Thank you Paola!

Can’t wait to come back and have you guide us again!

Sitting down to write this review, I accessed my photos … and WOW(!) the entire grand experience came flooding back into my memory. It’s hard to imagine that we toured so much in one day! … and it was Paola’s masterful planning and special access that made the day extraordinary.

I particularly appreciated how we reviewed (from her book) the art, history and buildings prior to entering – equipping us with what to look for and to appreciate up front. This special time allowed us to listen to the stories and to ‘get curious’ and wonder what it was like … a very special skill, masterfully demonstrated, in engaging others into the past. Her history and expertise brought, not only credibility to the experience, but a depth of knowledge that invited a more interest and questions.

And the views! She pointed us to look up, to look down, and to look all around – capturing the detailed and the vast, bringing a reality to each element of the experience.

I loved the map room, the sculptured head room, the ceilings painted with story, the massiveness of the buildings, the beauty … All of it – made accessible through Paola’s masterful skill in guiding us through time.