Day 1 in Rome
Welcome to Rome, Italy`s vibrant capital! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to experience!
Grab some breakfast and let the sightseeing begin! Start off with a visit to the Trevi Fountain in
the Quirinal district. A must-see when in Rome, The Trevi Fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi and features a grand marble statue of Neptune at the center. Marvel at the design and don`t forget to throw a coin into the water! At night, the fountain is illuminated making it a truly romantic spot for photos.
In the afternoon,
head on over to see the Pantheon,
Rome`s oldest, intact building and one of the best preserved ancient buildings
in the world. This is also the burial place of the
artist Raphael and Italy`s two kings, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.
The Pantheon sits on Piazza
Della Rotonda, near which are some delightful churches, rare
shops, and some excellent cafés. Take a short stroll behind the Pantheon to Piazza della Minerva, where
you`ll find the beautiful Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Rome`s only
Gothic-style church. Connected to Piazza della Minerva is Via dei
Cestari, which has served as the main shopping street
for religious vestments for centuries.
It’s fun to browse these shops` robes, jewelry, books, and other
religious objects and is an experience particularly unique to Rome. The area
near the Pantheon is also known for its coffee shops. Find a restaurant filled with locals and load up on a quality lunch.
Take a pit stop at the Spanish Steps on
Piazza di Spagna,
close to Rome`s fashionable shopping street Via dei
Condotti. A central meeting place for locals and
tourist alike, it`s thriving with crowds. From here you can walk up to Trinità dei Monti Church to
admire the piazza from a height.
Finally, make your way to Piazza Navona. If you can time it right,
it`s great to go at sunset so you can watch as the square comes alive at night,
there`s lots of activity and everything is beautifully lit. Enjoy some
pizza to-go, or walk a few blocks out of the square to find a restaurant that
isn`t flooded with tourists. Make sure to enjoy some wine with dinner, it`s
hard to uncover a bad glass in Rome.
Day 2 in Rome
Start your day touring the top ancient sites of Rome beginning with a visit
to the emblem of the city, the 2,000 year old Roman Colosseum. Here you can marvel at Rome`s greatest architectural wonder entirely built by man power and opened in 80
AD. The monumental three-tiered amphitheater was used for bloody gladiator
battles and animal slaughters holding over 50,000 spectators. Spend an hour or
so exploring the interior, an audio guide of the Colosseum offers a concise
explanation of the ancient arena`s history and construction.
Close by is the Roman Forum,
another iconic landmark of the Roman Empire and point of interest. The large
open space was a center of political and social activity, filled with temples,
squares and government buildings. The most famous ruins of the Forum are the
Arch of Septimus Severus, the Arch of Titus, the House of the Vestal Virgins,
and the Temple of Saturn. Today you can buy tickets to explore both of these sites
on your own or on a guided tour, and learn all about their fascinating past.
You`ll also enjoy the absolutely breathtaking views from the top of the hill.
Spend your evening sampling mouthwatering dishes from the many
restaurants in the area, or head out on your very own wine tasting tour.
Day 3 in Rome
Start your day off in Rome`s historic center to to explore the Vatican Museums, an unmissable experience! The museums are home to extensive collections of art, archaeology and sculptures across over 50 galleries including the Raphael Rooms, Georgian Egyptian Museum and Collections of Contemporary Art. You can also visit the beautiful Sistine Chapel here, a restored Catholic chapel which dates back to the 14th-century. Be warned that the museums are not air conditioned, so you may want to avoid trying to visit in the hotter months of the year.Important Travel Tip: It is nearly essential to pre-book your visit to the Vatican Museums. You should also know that the Vatican Museums are not open on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month, at which time admission is free. Note, however, that the Vatican will be packed on these Sundays, making it hard to fully enjoy the artworks and exhibits.
Next, head on over to St. Peter`s Basilica, located in St. Peter`s Square (Piazza san Pietro), it`s one of the most famous churches in the world dating back to the 1500`s. If you have time, plan to climb to the top to witness the stunning views of the city. The church features works by Michelangelo and other great architects and painters. Note: Make sure to dress modestly; there`s a strict dress code in place so no miniskirts, shorts, or bare shoulders.
As night approaches make your way down to Trastevere by bus or the help of the metro. The former ghetto is chalk full of various restaurants and bars sure to please every budget and taste, with plenty of entertainment afterwards.
Additional Days in Rome
Should you be able to spend additional days in Rome we recommend a day trip to explore the attractions in the beautiful countryside around the city. We recommend touring Tivoli: Villa d`Este and Hadrian`s Villa, to explore two World Heritage-listed historic villas, built as vacation homes for the Roman elite, as well as their beautiful gardens. An organized tour is a perfect way to explore these attractions, allowing a professional guide to find the way, as well as provide educational information as you discover this area. A full-day tour provides enough time to hike to the crater of Mt. Vesuvius (in summer) or visit the National Archeological Museum of Pompeii, as well as seeing the sights of Pompeii.
Your Last Day in Rome
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.
