Highlights
- The Sistine Chapel
- The Vatican Museums
- The Colosseum
- The Roman Forum and Arch of Constantine
- The Pantheon
- The Trevi Fountain
- The Spanish Steps
Preview Description
You could discover Rome as many tourists do: admiring its beauty, glancing at its many treasures as you pass them by. However, what we offer in our two-day tour is a full immersion in Rome and the Vatican. This is a chance to really get to know the fascinating histories behind the most famous sites, and some of the lesser-known spots.
With our skip the lines tickets and qualified guide, you relive the gladiator’s fierce battles, and the feats of engineering that enabled the creation of the Colosseum. You explore the Roman Forum, once the political and religious heart of Ancient Rome, and the Palatine Hill, once a luxurious residential area, brimming with villas of the emperors. Then you visit the great piazzas that Rome is famous for: Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and others.
The second day is dedicated to exploring the Vatican. We will emerge you in the masterpieces of the Renaissance, the captivating works inside the Vatican Museums and of course, the Basilica of St. Peter. Naturally, you will also visit in-depth the exquisite Sistine Chapel and Raffaello’s Rooms, housing their immortal frescoes and learning a lot. The tour concludes at the majestic Castel Sant’Angelo, which offers a breathtaking view of all Rome.
Description
Day One: In-depth Ancient Rome tour with Renaissance and Baroque Rome
Your two-day Rome tour begins at the Arch of Constantine, one of the most magnificent ancient monuments. It stands in the shadow of the Colosseum, the vast amphitheatre that hosted centuries of spectacles and gladiatorial combat. On your private Colosseum tour with a top-rated local guide you’ll learn about the history of this amazing monument, the violence of the games, and the lives of the gladiators. From the Colosseum it’s just a short walk to the breathtaking ruins of the Roman Forum, in the heart of the ancient city. As you explore the Forum with your expert guide, you’ll see the Senate and the great temples such as the Temple of Saturn, enriching your understanding of politics, religion and daily life. You’ll see the locations where important historical events took place, and learn about the men who shaped Roman history, such as Cicero, Julius Caesar and Augustus.
Next to the historic Capitoline Hill you’ll enjoy a break in a bar with a stunning panoramic view of the city. There are more beautiful views to be discovered on the Palatine Hill; from the top of the hill you can see the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, and the sprawling ruins of the Roman Forum. The Palatine Hill was the most desirable place to live in Ancient Rome, and for centuries it was home to the city’s aristocratic families, until it was taken over by the emperors for their own luxurious residences. After exploring temples and basilicas on a Roman Forum tour you’ll have worked up an appetite for a hearty lunch in a restaurant recommended by the guide, where you’ll sample some delicious local dishes.
After lunch you’ll continue your exclusive tour with a stroll through Rome of the Renaissance and the Baroque, visiting the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Sant’Eustachio, Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori. You’ll also see some stunning ancient monuments such as the Pantheon and Hadrian’s Temple, buildings which inspired the work of the great artists of the Renaissance. Hearing the captivating stories of the artists, popes, and ordinary people of Renaissance Rome will bring the past to life. The magnificent Piazza Farnese has one of the most beautiful palaces of the Renaissance, and in front you’ll find ancient fountain basins that were taken from the Baths of Caracalla. The piazza is the perfect synthesis of Roman history, combining ancient art with Renaissance architecture. A walk through Piazza Farnese is a memorable end to the first day of your two day private tour of Rome.
Day Two: Artistic genius and their artworks on an in-depth Vatican tour
The second day begins with an engaging Vatican Museums tour, which boasts one of the greatest collections of art in the world. In the Belvedere Courtyard you’ll come face to face with two of the most famous ancient statues, the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere, which are widely considered to represent the highest aesthetic ideals of antiquity. The frescoes of the Raphael Rooms are an example of Renaissance art at its most exquisite, with their perfect combination of colour, space and harmony.
The climax of your visit to the Vatican Museums is an in-depth tour of the Sistine Chapel, one of the artistic wonders of the world, which you will have plenty of time to discover and appreciate. Hearing stories of the composition and the extraordinary life of Michelangelo will give you an even deeper understanding and appreciation of the frescoes, which depict iconic scenes such as the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgement. After lunch in a traditional restaurant, suggested by your guide, you’ll continue your Vatican tour in St. Peter’s Basilica and marvel at the genius of Bernini, who designed the piazza and the immense colonnade. Looking up at the Basilica’s enormous dome - one of Michelangelo’s many artistic achievements - you’ll hear the stories and legends of the popes and artists who transformed the Vatican.
A short stroll through Borgo Pio - on of the surviving medieval area of the city - takes you to Castel Sant’Angelo, an imposing fortress that overlooks the Tiber. Castel Sant’Angelo contains more than 2,000 years of history, having been built in the second century as a mausoleum for Hadrian, and later transformed into a fortified castle. In the Renaissance it became a luxurious papal residence, connected to the Vatican by a secret passageway, but it also continued to be an integral part of the city’s defences. On your exclusive Castel Sant’Angelo tour you’ll climb to the top of the castle for a spectacular view of the river and the Vatican.
Spend two days in Rome and the Vatican on our luxury itinerary with a personal tour guide for an unforgettable experience of the Eternal City.
The Basilica of St. Peter's may be subject to unscheduled closings and late openings for religious ceremonies. Because these are often last-minute for security reasons, we may not have time to notify our guests but instead the full tour will be spent exploring other parts of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. We do not provide refunds for unexpected closures of St. Peter's and your guide will still give you an introduction to the Basilica, should you wish to return on your own time during your stay in Rome.
Activity Level
This is a walking tour through archaeological sites in Rome with steps and uneven surfaces.
Please advise during the booking process if any travelers have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you.
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
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Pinacoteca The new Vatican Pinacoteca (Art Gallery) was inaugurated on 27 October 1932 in the building especially constructed by the architect Luca Beltrami for Pius XI. It was built ... morein the nineteenth century Square Garden, isolated and completely surrounded by avenues, in a place considered suitable for assuring the best lighting conditions for both the correct preservation of the works and their optimum aesthetic enhancement. Thus the age-old question of the exhibition of the paintings, which were constantly moved around the Apostolic Palaces due to the lack of a setting that matched their importance, was solved. A first collection of only 118 precious paintings was created by Pope Pius VI around 1790. It was of short duration due to the fact that, following the Treaty of Tolentino (1797) some of the greatest masterpieces were transferred to Paris. The idea of an art gallery, understood in the modern sense as an exhibition open to the public, was only born in 1817 after the fall of Napoleon and the consequent return to the Church State of a large part of the works belonging to it, according to the directions of the Congress of Vienna. The collection continued to grow over the years through donations and purchases until it reached the current nucleus of 460 paintings, distributed among the eighteen rooms on the basis of chronology and school, from the so-called Primitives (12th - 13th century) to the 19th century. The collection contains some masterpieces of the greatest artists of the history of Italian painting, from Giotto to Beato Angelico, from Melozzo da Forlì to Perugino and to Raphael, from Leonardo to Tiziano, to Veronese, to Caravaggio and to Crespi.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic, Museum
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water
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
- Castel Sant Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum for theEmperor Hadrian but was later transformed into a big castle where popes couldseek refuge at turbulent times.
Castel Sant Angelo Castel Sant Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum for theEmperor Hadrian but was later transformed into a big castle where popes couldseek refuge at turbulent ... moretimes. The Castel Sant Angelo is located on the rightside of the Tiber and its construction startedin 130 AD and was completed in 139 AD, during the reign of Emperor AntoniusPius who was Hadrian’s successor. At the time which the Castel Sant Angelo was constructedit was the tallest building in Rome, Italy.
The Castel Sant Angelo has undergone several changes basedon the different purposes that it served throughout history. First it was usedas a mausoleum and then it became part of the city wall. Later on it was turnedinto a fortress before being used a papal residence. Afterwards it was used asa barracks and prison and currently it is a national museum. The museum is richin history and it contains the remains of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and thoseof his successors up to the emperor Caracalla.
Castel Sant Angelo is comprised of a square 89 m wide base on acylindrical colonnaded drum with a diameter of 64 m. The mausoleum wasconnected to the Vatican Cityby a bridge (Pons Aelius). Today the passageway that connects Castel SantAngelo and the Vaticanstill exists. This bridge is presently known as the Ponte Sant Angelo.
The Castel Sant Angelo is a spectacular structure. Thebuilding is divided into five floors. Floor I is made of the famous windingramp which is approximately 400 feet long (this is a common Roman construction). FloorII, which is also known as the floor of the prisons contained horrible prisoncells as well as stores for oil and wheat. Floor III, also known as themilitary floor, has two large courtyards. Floor IV which is known as the papalfloor contains the loggia of Julius II, by Bramante, and a papal apartmentconsisting of superbly decorated rooms. Floor V, the top floor, has a bigterrace with apanoramic view and a statue of the Archangel Michael made of bronze.
The incredible statue depicting the Archangel Michael placed at the topof the fortress was sculpted by the Flemishsculptor and architect Pieter Verschaffelt. This statue replaced an older one with the same theme. The previous statue was made ofmarble but after being damaged it was replaced by the current bronze statue. This statue depicts the Archangel Michael who is said to haveappeared on top of the fortress in the year 590 and miraculously ended thesevere plague that had infected the city of Rome.
Castel Sant Angelo is visited by millions of tourists fromall over the world every year and it has become one of the favorite tourists’destinations. Being a home to the National Museum of Castel Sant Angelo, thesite has remained a source of valuable historical resources and manyresearchers visit it every day. There is a lot of art and architecture in andaround Castel Sant Angelo from which you can learn much regarding Rome’s history, religionand architecture.
Type: Attraction, Historic, Museum
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water
- 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
- The Pantheon is a spectacular building located in Rome, Italy. The Pantheon is located at Regione IX Circus Flaminius.
The Pantheon The Pantheon is a spectacular building located in Rome, Italy. The Pantheon is located at Regione IX Circus Flaminius. Originally its construction was commissioned by ... moreMarcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome. The Pantheon was built in 27-25 BC by the magistrate Marcus Agrippa in order to commemorate the victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra in the battle of Actium. Later this original temple was burned down in 80 AD. It was then completely reconstructed by the Emperor Hadrian in 125 AD.
The Pantheon is a circular structure with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns under a pediment. There is a rectangular vestibule which links the porch to the rotunda, which is underneath a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus) to the sky. Until today, this dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. The diameter of the interior circle and the height to the oculus are the same, 43.4 meters. The oculus was the only source of light to the building at the time when it was constructed.
The Pantheon was later turned into a church. Today the Pantheon contains tombs of several famous artists and various Italian kings. The tombs in the Pantheon include among others those of the painters Raphael Sanzio da Urbino, Carracci Annibale, the architect Baldassare Peruzzi, and Arcangelo Corelli. In Adittion to the kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I as well as Umberto's Queen, Margherita.
The Pantheon is renowned for its exclusive architectural structures and the use of space. The special designs of the portico, the bronze doors ,the dome, tall walls, oculus, decorations and monumental tombs all contribute to the beauty of the building and turn it into a great tourist's attraction. There is also a lovely fountain nearby topped by an ancient Egyptian obelisk which was erected by Pope Clement XI.
The Pantheon also borders with the Piazza della Rotonda, which is a rectangular square situated in the historic center of Rome. With its long history and the many reconstructions made to it, the Pantheon it is one of the most visited buildings in Rome. The square bordering the Pantheon is always crowded with tourists taking pictures or moving in and out of the building. The Pantheon is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m on Sunday and on holidays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is no admission fee needed in order to enter the building; it is open to the public free of charge.
There is no doubt that the Pantheon is a spectacular building that is worth a visit. Both the interior and the exterior of the building are amazing and breathtaking.The large dome, the oculus, the huge columns, and the inscriptions are exemplary. The Pantheon is said to be the Roman monument with the largest number of records and it is the most imitated of all ancient structures.
Type: Attraction, Historic
- Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful baroque sites in Rome. It was built at the exact place where the Domiziano Stadium was situated.
Piazza Navona Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful baroque sites in Rome. It was built at the exact place where the Domiziano Stadium was situated. This magnificent square has ... moremore than three magnificent fountains. The Piazza Navona is located in the historic center of Rome, west to the Pantheon. The square is one of the liveliest and most visited squares of Rome, with many outdoor cafes, restaurants and nightclubs in the surrounding areas.
There are several structures that can be found at Piazza Navona namely:
Domitian’s Stadium: this is the stadium that occupied this site before Piazza Navona was built. The stadium was built by Emperor Domitian in 86 AD and although you cannot see it today the Piazza Navona took its oval shape from this structure.
Fountain of the Four Rivers: Its fountains are among the major attractions of Piazza Navona. The central fountain, called Fontana dei Quattro Fium (Fountain of the Four Rivers), is the largest and most attractive. The fountain features four figures, each representing a river from a different continent – rivers Rio de la Plata, Ganges, Nile and Danube. The statues are at the base of a rock supporting an obelisk, originally located at the Massenzio Circus, near the Appian Way.
The Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone: the church was commissioned in 1652 by Pope Innocent X. The facade of the church was designed by Borromini and it was completed in 1670.
Neptune Fountain and Moor Fountain: these are two other outstanding fountains in the Piazza Navona. The first is the Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune Fountain) on the northern side of the piazza and Fontana del Moro (Moor Fountain) on the southern side. The Neptune Fountain was built in 1576 by Giacomo della Porta. During the 19th century, the statues of Neptune surrounded by sea nymphs were added. The Moor Fountain was also built by Giacomo della Porta; and it has a central statue of a Moor holding a dolphin designed by Bernini which was added in the 17thcentury. The Fontana del Moro was vandalized on the 3rd of September 2011. The man who damaged the fountain was captured on the security cameras.
The Piazza Navona has hosted several events and festivals. Between 1650 and late 19th century, The Piazza Navona could be flooded during the summer season and was used for aquatic games and staged marine battles. Piazza Navona is a cool place to hang around and this is true for Rome's local residents as well as tourists. It also features beautiful sculptural and architectural creations. There are many artists who gather in the square to paint and there are also several entertainers and vendors who sell souvenirs. The nightlife at the Piazza Navona is also lively as there are many nightclubs in the surrounding areas of the square. In Christmas the Piazza hosts a charming Christmas market. The Piazza Navona is a square full of life and worth a visit. There are lots of people, artists sharing their talents and lots of places to enjoy meals and have fun.
Type: Attraction, Historic
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Named after Pope Sixtus IV, the Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most famous chapel in the world. It is renowned both for its function as the Papal Conclave and for its incredible artwork.... more
The ceiling and western wall of the Sistine Chapel are adorned with some of the most astonishing paintings in the world created by the famous artist – Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in 1508 and he completed his work in 1512. The middle section depicts nine stories from the Book of Genesis, including the renowned ‘Creation of Adam’ where the hand of God is seen reaching to Adam to instill him with life.
In 1535 Michelangelo was commissioned once again to paint the western wall over the altar. He completed this spectacular painting of the‘Last Judgment’ in 1541. The painting depicts the end-of-days and second coming of Christ when according to Christian faith all souls will be judged by Jesus,the Saints and God and sent to heaven or hell.
Despite being one of the most celebrated works of art in history, Michelangelo was originally hesitant to paint the ceiling of the chapel for he considered himself as more of a sculptor than a painter.
The original ‘Last Judgment’ painting included fully nude human figures, but these were later covered by another artist due to the demands of some Papal members who claimed that the nudity was obscene and improper.
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo who depicted nine stories from the book of Genesis including the famous 'Creation of Adam'.
The first three stories are:
1. The Separation of Light from Darkness: Genesis 1:1-5;
2. The Creation of the sun, moon and planets: Genesis 1:11-19;
3. The Separation of Land from Sea: Genesis 1,9-10)
Following these paintings of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican are the mid-section patintings:
1. The Creation of Adam & Eve (Genesis 1:26- 2:25), with the figures of man and woman in their nakedness.
2. The Banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-24).
The last three frescoes of Michelangelo include:
1. The Sacrifice of Noah: (Genesis 8:15-20)
2. The Flood (Genesis 6:5-8,20)
3. The Drunkenness of Noah (Genesis 9:20-27)
* All these show the fall and rebirth of humanity
The ceiling and western wall of the Sistine Chapel are adorned with some of the most celebrated paintings in the world created by the famous artist – Michelangelo Buonarroti. Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling in 1508 and he completed his work in 1512.
Despite being one of the most adored works of art in history, Michelangelo was originally hesitant to paint the ceiling of the chapel for he saw himself as more of a sculptor than a painter. The original ‘Last Judgment’ painting included fully nude human figures, but these were later covered by another artist due to the demands of some Papal members who claimed that the nudity was obscene and improper.
The middle section of the ceiling depicts 9 stories fromthe Book of Genesis, including the iconic ‘Creation of Adam’ where the hand ofGod is seen reaching to Adam to give him life. In 1535 Michelangelo was commissioned once again to paint thewestern wall over the altar.
Michelangelo completed this spectacular painting of the‘Last Judgment’ in 1541. The painting depicts the end-of-days and second comingof Christ when according to Christian faith all souls will be judged by Jesus,the Saints and God and sent to heaven or hell.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, 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
- Erected in honor of the Prince of Apostles
The Latin inscription above the entrance states: "Paul V Borghese, Roman, Pontiff, in the year 1612, the seventh of his pontificate, erected in honour of the Prince of Apostles".... more
The entrance to Saint Peter's Basilica has spitirual significance as it is written:
“I am the gate. Whoever enters through me, will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture”.
(John 10:9)
Above the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is the central balcony where the election of the new pope is announced - the famous Latin saying: "Habemus Papum" which means "We have a Pope". It is also where the Pope gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing, and for this reason the balcony is also called the "Loggia of the Blessings",
Type: Attraction, Church, Historic, Museum
| 2 People | Private Tour | $ 3,03750 | Please use "Additional Guests" to add more |
| Daily, until Tue, Dec 31 2024 | 9:00 AM |
Check In Details
You will meet your guide at a designated meeting spot on each day, please ensure to go to the right one on each day. They will have a Through Eternity sign.
Day 1 (Ancient Rome and piazzas and fountains) - your guide will meet you in front of the Cafe/Restaurant Angelino ai Fori, Largo Corrado Ricci, 43a.
Day 2 (Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and Castel Sant'Angelo) - your guide will meet you in front of the Caffe Vaticano, Viale Vaticano, 100.
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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