|
ANCIENT ROME
Discover the history of Rome. Walk to the Colosseum
originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre and now Rome’s most
famous monument. Then to the ruins of the Roman Forum,
the religious, political and commercial centre of Ancient Rome reflecting
the twelve centuries of history which created Roman civilisation.
See the Arch of Constantine, triumphal arch built
to honour Constantine, and Arch of Titus, erected
in 81 commemorating the capture of Jerusalem by this emperor. The
tour terminates at Piazza Venezia with the monument
to Victor Emmanuel II, huge memorial monument begun in 1885 in honour
of the first king of a united Italy.
Duration: 3 hours
Operating every day.
VATICAN CITY
Walk to St.Peter’s Basilica, the largest and most
famous church in the Christian world. It was built in AD 324 by
Constantine, the first Christian Emperor, on the site where St.Peter
was buried.
Then into the Vatican Museums where an incredible
collection of art and treasures collected by the Popes can be admired.
On the first floor is the Sistine Chapel, private papal
chapel built in 1473 for Pope Sixtus IV and painted by Michelangelo
from 1508 to 1512. See also other paintings by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio,
Pinturicchio, Signorelli, etc. etc..
Duration: 3 hours
Operating every day EXCEPT on Sunday, January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
MONUMENTAL ROME
The tour starts passing by Via Veneto, famous for
Fellini’s Dolce Vita movie. Walk to Trevi Fountain,
late baroque creation which fills the whole width of the palace
façade acting as backdrop and giving the impression of a triumphal
arch. Then to Piazza Navona, a pleasant and lively
pedestrian precinct, adorned at the centre with Bernini’s baroque
masterpiece and Fountain of the Four Rivers completed in 1651. Proceed
to Piazza Colonna, so named because of the column
of Marco Aurelio, Montecitorio seat of the Chamber of Deputees and the
Pantheon, ancient building perfectly preserved which
was a temple converted into a church in the 7th century.
Duration: 3 hours
Operating every day.
HALF DAY ROME BY CAR
Guided tour by car. Drive to Piazza
di Spagna so named in the 17th century after the Spanish Embassy
occupied the Palazzo di Spagna and to the Holy
Trinity on the Hill, French church built in the 16th century
at the top of the stairs. Proceed to Piazza del Popolo
and admire the central obelisk brought from Egypt in the reign of
Augustus. Then to Castel
Sant’Angelo, imposing fortress built in AD 135 as a mausoleum
for the Emperor Hadrian and his family. Tour ending at Basilica
of St.Paul outside the walls, one of the four major basilicas
built by Constantine in the 4th century.
Duration: 4 hours
Operating every day.
VILLAS AND GARDENS IN TIVOLI
Through the Roman countryside, spend a day in Tivoli which was a resort
town of the ancient Romans and became popular as a summer playground
for the rich during the Renaissance. Visit Hadrian’s
Villa, built by Hadrian in the 2nd century as his summer house
and formed by the imperial palace, baths, libraries and gardens. Its
construction was influenced by the architecture of the famous classical
buildings of the day.
After a break for lunch at a local restaurant, a short drive to Villa
d’Este, one of the most enchanting of the late Renaissance,
home of Lucretia Borgia’s son and famous for its gardens, marvellous
fountains, waterfalls and centenary trees. It was built in the 16th
century for Cardinal Ippolito d’Este on the site of a Franciscan
monastery.
Duration: 8 hours
Operating every day EXCEPT on Monday, January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
NOTES:
Entrance fees to all museums and meals are NOT included unless indicated.
Itineraries can be adjusted in accordance to Clients’ wishes.
|
