Barbara

The Witty Architect

Responds quickly
  • I live in Rome
  • I speak English, Italiano
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 6 hours

Hi there! Nice to meet you

Barbara

I'm a licensed tour guide and an official Vatican guide and even if I'm new on this site I have been guiding tours since many years.

I have a degree in Architecture and a master degree in Historical Building Restoration, I have been studying architecture and art history for all my life.

Born and raised in Rome I'm happy to share my lifetime experience with people from all over the world.

I love to unravel the amazing stories hidden behind every alley and square of the Eternal city, bring back to life the outstanding Roman ruins, show the masterpieces made by the most important artists working for the powerful Popes and communicate my passion and true love for my Hometown, like only locals can do...

A presto!

  • I live in Rome
  • I speak English, Italiano
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 6 hours

My Rome in pictures

Book one of my offers in Rome

Let's explore Rome together! As your local guide, I'll show you the best of Rome on a private & personalized tour for you.

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All Withlocals tours are completely customisable to your needs. Just let me know your preferences for a private and personalized experience!

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Reviews

Joe
2 November 2024
I don't know where to begin. We first met Barbara when she was our Coliseum tour guide. She was so friendly and her knowledge about the Coliseum was amazing. She gave us so much information and insight into those ancient times. We are 80 years old and she made sure to include stops when we needed a break. Then she helped us find a taxi back to our hotel, as we were exhausted. We had a Vatican tour scheduled with her the next day but had to cancel because my husband was sick. She took the initiative to call our hotel and talk to the manager about my husband. He sent a doctor and an ambulance came and took my husband to the hospital. Barbara kept in touch with me and even came to the hospital to help me. I also called her and asked her to talk to the doctor for me and translate what he was saying. She was truly my angel through this terrible ordeal. Don't know what I would have done without her with locals is very lucky to have such a caring, knowledgeable guide. WONDERFUL
James
6 October 2024
We had a wonderful tour of St Clement’s Bascilica and the Colosseum with Barbara. She has a broad knowledge of the history of Rome and the details of the buildings we visited. As a trained architect she shared interesting facts about construction methods and materials, both during the imperial period thru the Middle Ages to the present day restoration efforts. She is a great conversationalist and altogether wonderful person. We recommend her completely and are already planning our next tour for the Spring! Happy touring! Jim & JoHistory and architecture come to life
Dina
25 July 2024
We did the Colosseum and the layered basilica of St. Clemente tour with Barbara. Barbara is very knowledgeable and she gave us enough information to be fascinated but not too much to be overwhelmed - it was the perfect amount for us. We enjoyed the Colosseum, however it was very hot and there were so many other tourists there that it actually got a bit much for us. (That will teach us for booking a holiday in July!!). But, the layered basilica of St Clemente was a wonderful surprise. Wow, just wow. Having the opportunity to look at three different periods in time all on the same patch of land - amazing. Barbara was again able to provide us with super interesting information and it was so great to be able to go deeper underground and go back in time. A great tour and a great tour guide.Fascinating Tour
Mark
17 May 2024
We enjoyed a wonderful day with Barbara (Barbi) as we discovered the beauty, history and symbolism throughout the Vactican museums, Sistine chapel, and St Peters Basilica! Her quick whit, enduring smiling and stories had us laughing and smiling the full day, with a stop for gellato at her favorite neighborhood gellato shop and a quick bite to eat, before returning to the train station. Batbi's deep understanding, emotional ties to Rome, and fantastic personality made our time together enjoyable. If you are looking to have a fun filled day, while being provided knowledge, we highly recommend booking a private custom tour with Barbara (Barbi), you won't be disappointed!Fantasitc day at the Vactican
Ajit
20 April 2024
Barbara is absolutely the best, she timed our first visit to the Forum, Palatine Hill and Colosseum so beautifully helping us avoid the crowd and her narration of the history seemed so real. I would whole heartedly recommend Barbara
Amelia
18 April 2024
Our family of five, with kids ages 10-15, loved our Colosseum and forum tour with Barbara! Pre-trip communication was a breeze. Barbara expertly navigated through the Colosseum entrance process and we bypassed lines. We walked all around the Colosseum, starting with the emporer’s box. She engaged the kids and was full of interesting information. The kids appreciated her printed illustrations. In the forum, Barbara tailored our time to our family’s knowledge and interests. We all feel we learned a lot from our tour with Barbara, and did not even notice how many miles we walked!Fun, engaging, flexible
Pam
20 October 2023
There were 5 of us in our group and we are in agreement: we would not hesitate to take a tour with Barbara again. Barbara was very accommodating before and during our tour; it was very easy to communicate and plan with her. This was my 4th time to the Colosseum and I learned so much. It must be overwhelming to give tourists insight into Rome with its millennia of history. The best way to explain the experience with Barbara is that she gave nuggets of history throughout the tour rather than a lecture or diatribe; and brought the highlights to life with a few photos. (I never realized or understood that the Colosseum would have been colorful at its beginning.). The Forum originated 500 or so years BC so, again, an overwhelming site to introduce to a group of visitors. Barbara shared pieces of its history and pointed out several of the items in the Forum to bring the site and its history to light and into better understanding. Whether or not this is your first visit to Rome I highly recommend this tour with Barbara. Based on it I would have faith in any tour she offered being great. If she wasn’t already booked for the remainder of our time in Rome we would have absolutely done another tour with her. For example, my father had no real interest in a Vatican tour, but said he’d absolutely do one if she was available. Buon viaggio!Fantastic tour and guide!!!
Anne
28 June 2023
Barbara was a pleasure and gave us an informative tour of the forum and coliseum. She was able to make it exciting for our 9yo as well and was very easy to communicate with in advance of our trip and after to give us travel advice! I highly recommend Fantastic!
cathy
28 April 2023
At the last minute, sadly Barbara was ill and recommended her colleague Carlo. Being a historian, he was so interesting, so engaging and incredibly knowledgeable. We learned so much and the Vatican tour was one of the highlights of a recent trip to Rome. Using a personal guide in a very crowded location is key WithLocals is a great company and would highly recommend. One thing I would say is book the earliest tour possible. We booked a late afternoon tour, and it was very crowded, especially with school groups. Carlo is amazing and if we are ever back in Rome, we will gladly schedule another tour with him! Carlo was the BEST guide we had in Rome!
Elizabeth
21 December 2022
Barbara toured the Vatican and the Colosseum with us, on separate tours. We were privileged to have such an educated individual/local show us around. She answered all our questions, gave us in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, while entertaining and showing us a great time. We couldn't be happier with our experience and are grateful to Barbara for the knowledge and the memories.Amazing Experiences

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