Highlights
- The Sistine Chapel
- The Vatican Museums
- Colosseum
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
Preview Description
Visit Rome’s iconic sites in a day, travelling by minivan. Explore the ancient city, the Vatican and the historic centre.
Description
With its nearly 3,000 years of history since its foundation, 900 churches, over a hundred museums and an incalculable amount of works of art and archaeological sites, the Eternal City is a never-ending surprise and a source of inspiration to last a lifetime.
That’s why we believe that even if you are here only for one single day, you just can’t miss the most important sites of this amazing city and this is exactly what our Rome in A Day Group Tour is about.
We carefully designed this tour so that you can get the very best of this extraordinary city in one day of touring, without feeling overwhelmed, comfortably traveling from site to site by minivan.
In the footsteps of senators and emperors: the Roman Forum.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live at the time of the Ancient Romans? The Roman Forum it’s probably the best place where you can imagine the life of our ancestors: as you walk on the ancient road, your guide will bring the ruins back to life for you and it will feel just like taking a trip back in time. On our tour, you will see the ruins of amazing buildings that are at the origin of our modern politics, such as the Senate, or the Rostra, where Cicero and many other orators gave their passionate speeches, sometimes paying with their own life the cost of defending their political views. You will also admire the majestic triumphal arches, built by the emperors to celebrate their victories. Each one of these magnificent arches has a fascinating story to tell: in front of the Arch of Titus, you will listen to the sad story of the sack of Jerusalem, while looking at the impressive Arch of Septimius Severus, you will learn about his military campaigns and the terrible story of his eldest son Caracalla, who killed his younger brother out of jealousy and power hunger. Discover the religious beliefs of the Romans and their rituals while exploring the House of the Vestal Virgins, or the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, still perfectly preserved. You will also discover the close connection between power and religion, while entering the Temple of Julius Caesar, dictator when alive and god after his death.
The Colosseum: shows, blood and propaganda in Rome’s most famous building.
Built by the Flavian dynasty at the end of the 1st century AD, the Colosseum is by far the most iconic building in Rome. Anxious to win back the love and the support of the people of Rome after Nero’s disgraceful reign, emperor Vespasian started the construction of the monument that was going to be the symbol of Rome for the next 2000 years. Financed with the treasures taken during the sack of Jerusalem, the Colosseum was built in an incredibly short amount of time: only 9 years, not only thanks to the famous ingenuity of the Romans, but also to the hard work of thousands of slaves. When he inaugurated the Colosseum in 80 AD, Vespasian’s eldest son Titus was determined to get off to a great start: he offered 100 days of shows during which thousands of animals and people were killed, just to entertain the nearly 65.000 bloodthirsty spectators sitting on the bleachers.
Discover Rome’s most beautiful squares and fountains.
In Rome, the art is not just caged among the walls of the museums: in Rome, art and history are literally around every corner and there’s no other place like the centre to truly appreciate how they are still nowadays part of the pulsating heart of the city.
On our tour, you will admire the Baroque splendor of the Trevi Fountain while listening to our guide’s fascinating stories: don’t forget to throw a coin in its magical waters, you might have a wish granted!
Enter with us the majestic Pantheon and let yourself be amazed by the celebrated roman ingenuity: how did they build a dome that still nowadays holds the record of world’s largest dome built without reinforced concrete?
Finally, take a stroll in the beautiful Piazza Navona and marvel at the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, work of Gianlorenzo Bernini, the master of the Baroque.
With the help of your guide, you will learn the stories behind the most beautiful squares, fountains and monuments, alongside with the many colorful legends of the tradition.
The Vatican: A journey through Art, Beauty and Spirituality in the Pope’s kingdom.
With its 109 acres and only 1,000 citizens, the Vatican City is the smallest country in the whole world, but don’t let these numbers fool you: in its minuscule territory, the Vatican houses the 5th largest museum in the world and the world’s largest Catholic Basilica.
With the help of your expert guide, you will discover the most renowned treasures of this unique country. In the prestigious Vatican Museums, you will come face to face with the most celebrated statues of emperors, gods, muses and philosophers from the past. As you walk through galleries and courtyards, you will meet Apollo and marvel at its divine beauty, then you will admire the Laocoon and listen to the tragic destiny of the only man who tried to warn the Trojans not to trust the Trojan Horse.
Walk through the celebrated Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of Geographical Maps, before entering the Sistine Chapel and breathe in Michaelangelo’s timeless art.
The last part of your journey will be Saint Peter’s Basilica, where you will be touched by the beautiful Pietà, sculpted by 23 years old Michelangelo, out of a single block of Carrara marble, before you reach the main altar, crowned by Gianlorenzo Bernini’s precious bronze canopy. Did you know that, according to the tradition, the Apostle Peter is buried right under the altar where the Pope celebrates the mass?
Activity Level
As this is tour involves a considerable amount of walking with steps, staircases and uneven surfaces, it is not recommended for individuals with mobility concerns. Comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
Wheelchairs and motorised scooters are not permitted on this tour.
If reservations at the Pantheon are not possible for weekends or if the lines are too long, the guide will give you the explanation from the outside to ensure all other stops on the tour are not missed
Roman Forum Here we have a great valley, the political heart of ancient Rome, where the daily life of the ancient Romans unfolded. The Republic revolved around the Senate, where giant, ... morerichly decorated spaces still resound with the voices of the great senators that unleashed war and brokered peace in the Mediterranean. While the House of the Vestals introduces us to the only female religious order in Rome, the via Sacra, still marked by the wheels of carts that traversed it for centuries, helps us understand the Romans’ amazing engineering capabilities. In front of the Temple of Julius Caesar we will be catapulted into the story of one of the greatest political murders of all time. Nearby, the temple of Antoninus and Faustina tells us of the extent of the Roman empire, with its rare marbles and its inscriptions. The images carved into the Arch of Titus tell of the conquest of Jerusalem and the transfer of its ancient treasures to Rome, fascinating histories that your expert guide will explain.
The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum (Italian: Foro Romano), is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.
For centuries the Forum was the center of day-to-day life in Rome: the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city's great men. The teeming heart of ancient Rome, it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Forum today is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations attracting 4.5 million or more sightseers yearly.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic
The Palatine Hill is the centremost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It stands 40 metres above the Roman Forum, looking down upon it on ... moreone side, and upon the Circus Maximus on the other. From the time of Augustus Imperial palaces were built here.
Rome has its origins on the Palatine. Excavations show that people have lived in the area since the 10th century BC. Excavations performed on the hill in 1907 and again in 1948 unearthed a collection of huts believed to have been used for funerary purposes between the 9th and 7th century BC approximating the time period when the city of Rome was founded.
The hill has a strong link to Roman mythology. It is believed that on Palatine Hill, the twins Romulus and Remus were found in the Lupercal Cave by their four-legged shepherd mother, who raised them. Ultimately, this is where Romulus decided to build the city. Palatine Hill, Rome
The Palatine Hill today. Therefore, it was on this hill that the Roman Empire began.
From the start of the Empire (27 BC) Augustus built his palace there and the hill gradually became the exclusive domain of emperors; the ruins of the palaces of at least Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD), Tiberius (14 – 37 AD) and Domitian (81 – 96 AD) can still be seen.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic
- Trevi Fountain is the biggest Baroque fountain in Rome, Italy. It is also among the most beautiful fountains in the whole world. The fountain was constructed between 1732 and 1762
Trevi Fountain in Rome Trevi Fountain is the biggest Baroque fountain in Rome, Italy. It is also among the most beautiful fountains in the whole world. The fountain was constructed ... morebetween 1732 and 1762. The fountain is located at the end of the Aqua Virgo, which brings water from the Salone Springs which are located approximately 20 km from Rome. Trevi fountain symbolizes Rome’s rich history and architecture.
The first design of Trevi Fountain was made by the artist Bernini in 1640 but his plan was not implemented. During the mid 18th century, Nicola Salvi won the papal competition to adapt Bernini’s previous design of the fountain.Unfortunately, Nicola died before the completion of the construction. Eleven years later the project was taken over by Giuseppe Panini who then completed it.
The Trevi Fountain is 85 feet high and 65 feet wide, making it the largest fountain in Rome. There is a large structure depicting Neptune (god of the sea) at the centre of the fountain. The god is riding a chariot which is being pulled buy two seahorses. One of the horses is obedient and calm while the other one is edgy. The two horses symbolize the changing moods of the sea. The fountain contains some more statues including one on the left hand side of Neptune which represents Abundance and another on the right representing Salubrity.
Trevi fountain is an iconic monument and no tourist who visits Rome goes back home without visiting it. The fountain has a great history and the water at the bottom of it is said to represent the sea. According to the famous legend if you throw a coin into the water then you will then return again to Rome one day. The coin is tossed over thy shoulder with the back to the fountain. This is a great experience and nearly all the tourists who visit the fountain try it and throw a coin into it. Incredibly enough it is estimated that an average of 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain everyday! This money is used to fund a city food bank.
The Trevi Fountain has also been featured as an iconic part of Rome's imagery in several movies including the 1954 Hollywood movie “Three Coins in a Fountain”. The fountain’s presence can be noticed from the nearby streets. You will start hearing the sound of gushing waters growing more intense as you come closer.The gushing sound makes the visiting tourists eager to see this spectacular monument that is full of history, art, architecture and tradition. This is why the fountain attracts millions of tourists every year.
The Trevi Fountain is truly extraordinary: it combines an internal cool environment with a vibrant sound of gushing water from the fountain and wonderfully detailed life like statues.There are plans to restore the fountain which will involve a complete overhaul including an overall cleaning of the statues, replacing the gilded Latin inscriptions and also re-waterproofing the main basin. During the process, the fountain will not be closed to tourists and it is expected to becompleted by 2015.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic
On February 11th 1929, Vatican CityState was established by the signing of the Lateran Treaties between the stateof Italy and the Holy See. Its status as a sovereign State isuniversally ... morerecognized and is anchored in international law. Due to the smallsize of Vatican City, some of its Departments and offices are located in severalbuildings in Rome. These buildings enjoy the same status as embassies andforeign diplomatic missions according to the Lateran Treaty.
Vatican City lies beyond the right bank of the Tiber River, its on part of the ancient Montes Vaticani (the Vatican Mount) and where the Vatican Fields used to be .The Name "Vatican" originated from the name of this hill. The Vatican was protected from being secluded from the rest of the city by being included within the walls of Pope Leo IV (847–55), and later on fortified further by Popes Paul III , Pius IV and Urban VIII. There are five entrances to Vatican City; Many Visitors start their Vatican tour at St Peter's square.
The best way to get to the Vatican from Rome's historical center is through Ponte St. Angelo. The entrance to the Vatican Museums is on Viale Vaticano.on Viale Vaticano.
Perhaps the most recognizable building of Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica is the main Church of the Vatican built and named under the words of Jesus to St. Peter:
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father who is in Heaven.And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.”
Matthew 16:17-19
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic, Museum
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water
The Chair of Saint Peter is also known as the Cathedra Petri in Latin. Cathedra Petri is a relic that can be found in St. Peter's Basilica. The actual wooden chair is placed inside ... morea beautifully sculpted bronze casing. The casing was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and was built between the years 1647–53. Like in many medieval reliquaries the casing of the chair is in the form of the relic conserved inside it; meaning that it was designed by Bernini to resemble a chair. The Latin word cathedra is used for a chair or throne and denotes a chair or seat in the use of a bishop. The Chair of Peter symbolizes the office of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome.
Originally, the cathedra in St. Peter's Basilica was used by the popes. Inside the Chair is a wooden throne, which traditionally, was Saint Peter's throne. However, archeologist G.B. De Rossi, who was the last archeoligist to inspect this relic argued that only the acacia wood skeleton is in fact ancient while the other oak parts attached to the skeleton with strips of iron and ivory, are from Byzantine times.
The pattern on the upholstery of the casing depicts Christ giving the keys of heaven to St Peter. Large angelic figures were placed on both sides of a panel beneath a bronze seat cushion. The cathedra lies on bars that are held by four gigantic bronze figures; these are the doctors of the Church. The doctors are St. Ambrose and St. Augustine of the Roman Church and St. Athanasius and St. John Chrysostom of the Greek Church. The symbolism of this is That Doctors of the Church are the ones holding up the papcy and the Church.
Above the chair there is a Latin inscription: "O Pastor Ecclesiae, tu omnes Christi pascis agnos et oves" (O pastor of the Church, you feed all Christ's lambs and sheep). The same inscription was written in Greek on the right side.
Two liturgical feasts were celebrated in Rome in honor of earlier chairs associated with Saint Peter. One of these chairs was placed in the baptismal chapel of Saint Peter's Basilica, the other at the catacomb of Priscilla. No surviving chair has been identified as these more ancient chairs.
Berninis Cathedra Petri enclosing the wooden throne of St. Peter in the Vatican
Type: Attraction, Historic, Museum
- The construction of the Colosseum was started in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian and it was completed in 80 AD, a year after the death of Vespasian.
The Colosseum is one of Rome's most famous land marks. The structure is an elliptical amphitheatre located in the center of Rome. The colosseum was built from concrete and stone .It ... moreis considered to be the largest amphitheatre in the world. The construction of the Colosseum started in 72 AD by the Roman Emperor Vespasian. The building was completed in 80 AD, a year after the death of Emperor Vespasian.
The colloseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public shows and games such as animal hunts, mock sea battles, gladiator battles and executions. It seated 50,000 people. The Roman emperors used the Colosseum for the entertainment of the public with free games. The games symbolized power and they were used by the ruling emperor in order to increase his popularity. These games were held for an entire day or several days continuously. The shows usually started with comical acts and displays of exotic animals such as lions and bears and concluded with fights to the death between the animals and gladiators. The fighters were prisoners of war, slaves, or convicted criminals. The gladiatorial games continued until Christianity gradually put an end to the gory and deadly games.
The Colosseum was built on the area of an artificial lake. At the late 6th century a small church was built into the structure of the amphitheatre. In 1934, the Colosseum was damaged by an earthquake which resulted in the collapse of the outer south. The stones from the Colleseum were then reused to build palaces, churches,hospitals and other structures in Rome. Some of the famous structures which were built using the stones are Palazzo Farnese and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Church officials in Rome sought a productive use for the Colosseum during the 16thand 17th century. Pope Sixtus V had planned to turn The Colosseum into a wool factory in order to offer employment opportunities to prostitutes in Rome but the plans did not come to fruition due to his premature death. In 1671, Cardinal Altieri authorized the Colosseum to be used for bullfights but the public opposed this idea.
The Colosseum continued to be subject to different uses and renovations as nearly every leader of Rome had his own ideas concerning the use of the compound. The Roman emperors used the Colosseum to entertain the public with free games. The games symbolized prestige and power and they were used by the ruling emperor as a way of increasing his popularity. These games were held for a whole day or even several days continuously. In most cases, the shows started with comical acts and displays of exotic animals which ended with fights to death between the animals and gladiators. The fighters were normally slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals. The gladiatorial games continued until Christianity gradually put an end to the parts of the games which led to the death of people.
The modern Colosseum has been renovated, redecorated and painted. The Colosseum is used to host large events although the space inside is limited. During events with great attendance, the audience sits outside the Colosseum. The Colosseum is also a major tourist attraction in Rome with thousands of tourists visiting it every year to view the interior of the arena. Entrance for citizens of the European Union is partially subsidized, and the entrance is free for European Union citizens below the age of 18 or over 65. The upper floor of the outer wall of The Colosseum has a museum that is dedicated to Eros. Part of the arena floor had been re-floored and looks fabulous.
The Colosseum is also the site of Roman Catholic ceremonies in the 20th and 21stcenturies. For instance, Pope Benedict XVI led the Stations of the Cross ceremony called the Scriptural Way of the Cross at The Colosseum on Good Fridays. There was an agreement between the local official and Diego Della Valle, in 2011, to sponsor €25 million restoration of The Colosseum.
Today it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Rome. Be sure to come and visit the Colleseum!
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic
| Adult | Group Tour | $ 20216 | Ages 18+ | | Student | Group Tour | $ 19146 | Ages 18 to 24 | | Child | Group Tour | $ 19146 | Ages 3 to 17 | | Infant | Group Tour | $ 6952 | Ages 2 and under |
| Weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, until Tue, Oct 31 2023 | 9:00 AM |
Check In Details
You will meet your guide in front of the Cafe/Restaurant Angelino Ai Fori. The address is Largo Corrado Ricci, 43A. They will have a Through Eternity sign or flag.
Cancellation Policy
Standard Policy
- Cancellations made 2 days before will be fully refunded except for a service fee of 3%.
- Cancellations made at a later date will not be refunded.
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