Guide in Rome

A friend and I were in Rome for a few days during October ’04, and we want to add our recommendation for a guide to that of Dorothy Smith (Sept. ’04, pg. 94).

Katie Parla (e-mail katieparla@yahoo.com) did an excellent job of guiding us through the sights we wanted to see in Rome. We avoided long lines of tourists both at the Colosseum and the Vatican and were able to see and hear so much more than those in the large groups trying to cover the same territory. Katie charges €300 (near $406) for a full day with her and €150 per half day. We hired her for two half days and one full day. She would meet us at our hotel.

On the full day, she accompanied us to the Piazza della Republica. We visited the Baths of Diocletian, S. Maria della Vittoria, the Pantheon (my favorite sight in Rome), the Church of Saint Ignazio, the Piazza Navona and the twin churches of Santa Maria di Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

Katy planned an “Angels and Demons” tour for us, as my friend and I had both read that book. We visited the Vatican in the afternoon (a very thorough visit in which she pointed out the many fine works of art my friend particularly wanted to see). She made sure we had a taxi ride back to our hotel — we were bushed.

At every stop, Katie was very knowledgeable and could answer any questions we had. Our visit to the Vatican was far superior to the one taken by other members of a group with which we traveled later. She was good company at all times and added immeasurably to our visit to Rome.

Thank you, Dorothy. Our trip was much pleasanter and worthwhile because of your recommendation.

MARGARET LAYNE
Indianapolis, IN