The Eternal City – no title is more apt in describing the great city that is Rome. Built on the seven hills above the river Tiber, Rome’s origins are steeped in legend. It was from this small and humble beginning that it became the centre of one of the greatest empires the world has ever known. We are still indebted to the ancient Romans for so many elements of our own culture, including the alphabet, the origins of our calendar, elements of our language, concepts of governance and aspects of our legal system, not to mention ideas relating to our understanding of the arts and engineering.
With the rise of Christianity, the Church of Rome came to dominate the political and spiritual structure of Western Europe and was the overriding force during the middle ages. From 1500 the wealth and influence of the Popes attracted the greatest artists in Italy, and over the subsequent two centuries the city was embellished with some of the greatest works of art and architecture ever created by man.
A visit to Rome however, is not only about history. As the capital Italy, it is the largest city and political centre of one of Europe’s greatest nations. Italian flare for design, cuisine and the arts can all be experienced at their best in Rome. Moreover, the Vatican City is the spiritual focus for over one billion Roman Catholics from around the world. So where does one start in trying to explore and understand this multi dimensional destination?
In this short tour we have tried to engage both the first time visitor and those returning to Rome with a combination of visits to the primary attractions and some of the lesser known sites. We will of course visit the Vatican Museum and the Basilica of St Peters as well as the ancient Forum, Coliseum and museums of ancient Roman civilisation.
The tour will include masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Borromini amongst many other masters. We will not neglect the celebrated food and wines of Rome and there will be time to explore the city on ones own if desired. Rome can sustain a lifetime of visits but we believe this short sojourn will be more than a mere introduction and will be both educational and highly entertaining.
TOUR DETAILS
- 5 nights
- From £1,554pp, excluding flights
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- The Vatican
- The Catacombs
- Sistine Chapel
- The Coliseum
- Roman Forum
- Capitoline museum
- Ara Pacis museum
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
- 5 nights/6 days in Rome
Key inclusions
- 4* central hotel
- Professional Rome expert leading the tour throughout
- 2 dinners
- Direct flights
- Private coach transport
day one
Depart UK in the morning, visit the Roman Forum and Coliseum in the afternoon
Depart the UK for Rome on a morning flight. On arrival, we drive by private coach to the hotel in the centre of the city. In the afternoon visit the Coliseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill to get an idea of the ancient city. See the Circus Maximus, the Mouth of Truth, the Forum of Emperor Trajan and the famous column commemorating his victories in Dacia. This evening there will be a welcome dinner.day TWO
Visit Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel and Pyramid of Cestius
This morning visit the Vatican Museum and St Peter’s Basilica. The drive will take you up to the Janiculum Hill, which commands marvellous views over the city. The museum contains the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Stanze. After the Vatican visit and lunch, drive out to explore one of the catacombs outside the walls of the ancient city. The drive will take you along the Via Appia Antica, the oldest and most famous of all the Ancient Roman roads. Pass the church of the Domine Quo Vadis where St Peter had his vision of Christ. See the massive Baths of Caracalla and pass by the Aurelian Walls and the Pyramid of Cestius.day THREE
Visit Santa Maria Maggiore, Baths of Emperor Diocletian and Church of San Carlino alle Quatro Fontane
Start this morning with a walk up to the famous Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The mosaics here, which date from the 5th century A.D. are some of the finest in the city. A short distance further on foot will lead you to the Baths of Emperor Diocletian. This building more than any other (save the Pantheon) gives one an idea of the magnificence of Ancient Rome. The wealth of wonderful buildings in this part of Rome is bewildering and the remainder of this walk takes us to some of the best. Five minutes walk from the Baths, is the church of Santa Maria Vittoria containing the Cornaro Chapel, the masterpiece of Bernini. His sculpture of St Theresa in Ecstasy is a miracle in stone. Further down the road, Bernini’s architectural rival, Francesco Borromini, built one of the smallest and yet most remarkable churches in the whole city. The Church of San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, a piece of architecture so daring and so dynamic that it amazes all visitors. Finally arrive at another masterpiece, this time by Bernini, the church of San Andrea Quirinale. This small ovular church is the quintessence of Baroque. The Quirinale Palace is opposite the church and is the palace of the President of Italy. From here descend to visit the famous Trevi Fountain, the most magnificent of all the fountains of Rome. Afternoon at leisure for shopping and further sightseeing.day FOUR
Visit Capitoline Museum, Pantheon and Piazza Navona
In the morning visit the Capitoline Museum on the Campidoglio or Capitoline hill, the symbolic heart of the city. This magnificent museum, housed in a building designed by Michelangelo, contains some of the most emblematic of Ancient Roman artifacts. Foremost amongst these are the famous Etruscan bronze she-wolf with figures of Romulus and Remus, the equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the Dying Gaul. Afternoon walking tour of central Rome, which will include the incomparable Pantheon and the wonderful Piazza Navona.day FiVE
Visit Golden House of Nero, St. Peter in Chains and Church of San Clemente
Morning visit the church of San Pietro in Vincoli which contains Michelangelo’s famous statue of Moses. Past the Colle Oppio, which covers the infamous Golden House of Nero and then to the amazing church of San Clemente. This church is unique in Rome as it is on three levels and in itself is a time capsule representing ancient, early Christian and medieval Rome. On to the great Basilica of St John Lateran, the official cathedral of Rome, which is adorned with fine mosaics. Return to the centre of the city for lunch and an afternoon free for shopping and further sightseeing. This evening there will be a farewell dinner.day SIX
Visit Tomb of Augustus, Ara Pacis Museum and Castel Saint Angelo
This morning visit the tomb of Augustus and Ara Pacis Museum. Cross the river to explore the Castel Saint Angelo. Built as the tomb of the Emperor Hadrian, it was subsequently a fortress, prison and museum. The views from the rooftop are arguably the best in Rome. Afternoon transfer back to the airport for flight back to the UK.Itinerary
Flight information
Direct flights from the UK to Rome in 2 hours 30 minutes