Stuart Harvey - Private Day Tours
Stuart Harvey - Private Day Tours
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About
I am a private freelance Tourist Guide of Rome and the Vatican, fully qualified and licensed by the Provincia di Roma. My tours will unlock the mysteries of Ancient Rome and reveal the beauty and symbolism of the renaissance art of Michelangelo and Raphael. Don't follow the herd .... take a personalised tour with me.
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Stuart Harvey - Private Day Tours
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5.0
167 reviews
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165
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2
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Linda H
1 contribution
May 2023
My wife and I engaged Stuart Harvey for 1.5 days. So many historic sites in Rome were within walking distance of our hotel. We visited the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, former palaces of Popes past, fountain of the Four Rivers, viewed obelisks, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and many, many sites. We had lunch at a local restaurant known to Stuart. That was a full day from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The second day we toured the Vatican with Stuart from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Stuart lives in Rome and is a certified guide (similar to a “Blue Badge Guide” in London.). As such, he’s able to guide you around the crowds and long-lines. His depth of knowledge of Roman history, political history, art history, and religious history is encyclopedic, and thoroughly impressive.
Stuart was recommended to us by a “Blue Badge Guide” in London. We were extremely glad we had this recommendation because Stuart is an outstanding guide. We highly recommend him and would hire him again in a heartbeat!
Stuart lives in Rome and is a certified guide (similar to a “Blue Badge Guide” in London.). As such, he’s able to guide you around the crowds and long-lines. His depth of knowledge of Roman history, political history, art history, and religious history is encyclopedic, and thoroughly impressive.
Stuart was recommended to us by a “Blue Badge Guide” in London. We were extremely glad we had this recommendation because Stuart is an outstanding guide. We highly recommend him and would hire him again in a heartbeat!
Written 29 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise P
Chesterfield, UK12 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Both of our mornings were fascinating from start to finish. Stuart has an incredible depth of knowledge in all aspects of the history and art of Rome. His delivery keeps you interested throughout the tour. He was able to take us to the more hidden treasures that Rome has to offer . Visiting the Villa Farnesina to see the Raphaels, the Santa Maria in Trastervere and Trajan's Column were quite amazing. However, there were so many fascinating details throughout our tour. We learnt a lot and avoided the crowds!
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Badger58Scotland
Aberdeen, UK22 contributions
Mar 2022
We were recommended to use Stuart by friends who had used him several times, and we were not disappointed. He guided our party of 6 around the Forum and the Colosseum. Myself and my wife have visited Rome several times, but he made the experience feel like a first time visit, so exciting and knowledgeable were his comments as we wondered around the sites. The biggest testament to his skill is that he managed to engage our youngest daughter - not normally a fan of history and antiquities - who also enjoyed the afternoon.
Whether you are a regular traveller to Rome or a first time visitor, you will benefit from spending time with Stuart - he is an easy going but very knowledgeable guide and you won't be disappointed.
Whether you are a regular traveller to Rome or a first time visitor, you will benefit from spending time with Stuart - he is an easy going but very knowledgeable guide and you won't be disappointed.
Written 18 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cocoandroses
Chippenham, UK4 contributions
Feb 2022
We had a great Tour with Stuart on Monday - around the Colosseum and Forum. My two teenage boys were totally engaged throughout and really enjoyed all the extra little stories and gory details that Stuart added! We were all blown away by the incredible splendour, history and sheer magnitude of these sites and my mind is still buzzing with the experience and knowledge that Stuart shared. I hope to visit again soon and will definitely book another tour with Stuart!
Written 18 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DayTrip551474
2 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
After a very full weekend in Rome, my husband and I took a tour with Stuart on Valentine’s Day. It was the highlight of our trip. Stuart doesn’t just possess an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things Roman (and no doubt beyond), but he has a talent to bring those to life; walking into the Coliseum, it felt like the years of history had been stripped away and you were present there with the emperors and the games. But added to this, he’s a thoroughly nice fellow and I couldn’t recommend taking a private tour with him highly enough. I’ll be returning to Rome to do a walking tour with him! Thanks Stuart so much.
Written 16 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonnie S
1 contribution
May 2021
Fabulous he's smart as a whip and a whole lot of fun. Adds so much value!! I've done both his in person Rome tours and his wonderful and oh so welcome virtual tours
Written 20 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita W
Rome, Italy5 contributions
May 2021
Treat yourself to a private stroll around (specific parts of) Rome , Zooming with Mr. Harvey into the Galleria Borghese (! beyond all description!), a stretch of the Tiber, the Forum, etc..Well paced, with all the information an hour or so can contain, and delivered with just the amount of details (and light humour) that bounce you past the piece of marble you didn't know you wanted to meet: a column is a column is a column, after all, until it enters Mr Harvey's narrative.
Written 24 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foureyes51
Bedford, UK18 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
I took the Vatican Virtual Tour with Stuart. I’ve done it many times for real as a tour manager, but inevitably sometimes my attention has been diverted because of an emergency in the group or someone who needs my practical help.
But I’ve listened to enough of them to know when I’m getting something quality, and this time on screen I did! Firstly because he told me things I hadn’t heard before and secondly because he explained better the things I had!!!
Stuart is engaging, informative and from the moment he appears on your screen you know you’re in excellent hands. How do I know this for sure? Because as well as being a tour manager, I am also a fellow Blue Badge tourist guide in London where he also holds the same qualification. The training for that, tough as it is, has become a worldwide benchmark so I’m not surprised that following on gaining his qualification many years back as a tourist guide for Rome - which is just as exacting - he’s right up there with all the other wonderful tourist guides I’ve had in Rome.
And I’ve had many over the years as a tour manager visiting a lot of the sites Stuart covers in his Virtual Tours. Naturally I’ve missed the Eternal City where I was lucky enough to live and work for two years as well as visiting with your groups, and am wondering, post Brexit, if my tour managing career will ever get back on track.
So to walk virtually through those museums and into the Sistine Chapel once more - and without the exhausting hassle of the crowds on a hot, sweaty day - was just wonderful!!! Especially as I could see close up and in detail things that I only got a glimpse of as I fought the madding crowds - or mother-henned my tour groups!!
I pray I’ll be back professionally, and just hope the next time - and for the first time - I will be working in the flesh with Stuart!!
Now I’m off to book your Tiber Tour, so see you on screen again, my friend!!!
But I’ve listened to enough of them to know when I’m getting something quality, and this time on screen I did! Firstly because he told me things I hadn’t heard before and secondly because he explained better the things I had!!!
Stuart is engaging, informative and from the moment he appears on your screen you know you’re in excellent hands. How do I know this for sure? Because as well as being a tour manager, I am also a fellow Blue Badge tourist guide in London where he also holds the same qualification. The training for that, tough as it is, has become a worldwide benchmark so I’m not surprised that following on gaining his qualification many years back as a tourist guide for Rome - which is just as exacting - he’s right up there with all the other wonderful tourist guides I’ve had in Rome.
And I’ve had many over the years as a tour manager visiting a lot of the sites Stuart covers in his Virtual Tours. Naturally I’ve missed the Eternal City where I was lucky enough to live and work for two years as well as visiting with your groups, and am wondering, post Brexit, if my tour managing career will ever get back on track.
So to walk virtually through those museums and into the Sistine Chapel once more - and without the exhausting hassle of the crowds on a hot, sweaty day - was just wonderful!!! Especially as I could see close up and in detail things that I only got a glimpse of as I fought the madding crowds - or mother-henned my tour groups!!
I pray I’ll be back professionally, and just hope the next time - and for the first time - I will be working in the flesh with Stuart!!
Now I’m off to book your Tiber Tour, so see you on screen again, my friend!!!
Written 24 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank S
3 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
It is clear that Stuart really appreciates the material, and that only adds to your enjoyment too. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing his virtual tours while those have been a necessity, and I look forward to seeking him out next time I am able to visit Rome.
Written 12 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terence D
Eastbourne, UK2 contributions
Apr 2021
Stuart has a great gift for clarity of presentation. He knows how to weave events and stories into a memorable narrative. I have been round the public squares and walked along the river with him and each time I would have been happy for the 90 minutes to have been longer! I have also toured with him in person in both Rome and London. There are many great guides but you cannot get better than Stuart. I am looking forward to the launching of his new tour of Ostia Antica later this year.
Whether virtual or real, Stuart is more than value for money!
Whether virtual or real, Stuart is more than value for money!
Written 12 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Accra, Ghana
Hi
We are looking for privet tour in coliseum Rome for tomorrow 8/7/218
Two adults only
With skip the line tickets
Are you available .
Hi Stuart, We are group of 6-15 people will be there in Rome for 2nd & 3 rd June , Wish to know your charges for private day tour & other options
Stuart H
Rome, Italy8 contributions
Hi there. Unfortunately we are both fully booked those days, so I'm afraid I can't help you this time. We are just 2 freelance tourist guides, rather than a travel agent / tour operator.
Best wishes. Have a great trip.
Stuart
larry q
Hertfordshire, UK2 contributions
Hi Stuart - thanks for the speedy response. I guess I'd like to know if you can help; offer us a place on one of you tours, what we'll see and your recommendations...
Stuart H
Rome, Italy8 contributions
Hi Larry .... I'm so sorry not to have replied earlier. I didn't get the message in my inbox.
Anyway unfortunately we are away on our own family holiday that whole week so there are no tours during that period.
Best wishes for your trip to Rome and sorry I can't help you this time.
Stuart