Rome Where History Lives!
By Sandra Sandoval
Adventure! The Colosseum The Colosseum in Rome is one of the world’s best known sites from antiquity (for something built in 80 AD, the Colosseum is holding up very well). It was here that the Roman emperors liked to watch gladiators stage to-the-death battles as well as to hunt and kill wild animals. The stadium was built so members of the general public could also enjoy the violent spectaculars. Entry was free, although you were seated according to your social rank and wealth. Gladiatorial games
Vatican tours are so popular, even the priority lines are long! But this tour includes exclusive access through a reserved
were banned in 438 AD; the wild beast hunting continued until 523. The Colosseum is amazing for its complex and advanced architecture and building technique. Despite being used as a quarry for building materials at various points in history, it is still largely intact. You can see the tiered seating, corridors and the underground rooms where the animals and gladiators awaited their fate. Basically, this place set the model for all modern-day stadiums, the only difference being today’s teams survive their games.
entranceway, ensuring that you will not wait in any long lines. Accompanied by your expert guide, you will enjoy an intimate, personalized tour of the Vatican Museums, which were originally meant for the sole enjoyment of the Pope. This lavish, intricate labyrinth is made up of 2000 rooms that stretch over almost nine miles. In fact, it is said that if you spent 60 seconds looking at every item,
it would take you 12 years to see everything! With your own private guide to lead the way, you’ll discover the beauty and secrets hidden within the masterpieces lining these of Adam fresco as you explore rooms. the Sistine Chapel and wander through Raphael’s Rooms. After A highlight of the private tour taking in the Vatican Museums, of the Vatican Museums is you will encounter another of experiencing Michelangelo’s Michelangelo’s masterpieces, La famous Creation Pieta, in St Peter’s Basilica. For a fascinating finish to your private walking tour, stop to admire magnificent St Peter’s Square, as your guide points out Bernini’s ingenious use of optical illusion.
Your tour continues at the world-famous Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain is a magnificent example of Baroque art. Its dramatic, natural lines and fantasy creatures embodies movement and inspire a sense of triumph. As your guide will tell you, tradition says that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, then you will eventually return to Rome. Toss in a penny and cross your fingers!
Destinations
Highlights
Review
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s
Discover one of the most beautiful and storied sites in the world with skip-the-line access to the Vatican. On this fantastic 3-hour tour you will see the Vatican Museums, the exquisite Sistine Chapel and the dramatic St. Peter’s Basilica.
Rating: 5 “Best£29 spent in Rome” Reviewed by Caroline from Sevenoaks, United Kingdom on April 12th, 2014 Our guide was great and brought the Vatican to life. And so lovely to walk past a 1000foot long queue
Colosseum and Rome Walking Tour
Check out the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum Climb up Capitoline Hill Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain Admire beautiful neoclassical architecture in Piazza Navona
Rating: 4 “Very good” Reviewed by Victor from Sofia, Bulgaria on March 15th, 2014 Very extensive and informative tour. The only downside was the radio quality.
Rome by Night on Segway
Hop onto a Segway and get a whole new point of view on Rome, gliding through its historic streets at night Take in the city’s nightlife and energy, see it’s most famous landmarks in a different way, and perhaps even stop for a drink and a slice of pizza
Rating: 5 “Simply great!” Reviewed by Katja from Hamburg, Germany on September 10th, 2012 A great funny incredibly informative and laid-back guide. A great tour, fast Segways. A great way to get to know the city. Really recommend it for teens in particular
Cena & When in Rome, there is one thing you won’t have to worry about: being able to find a nice place to eat. From family run trattorias and pizzerias, to fancier, hip restaurants, Rome knows how to quench your hunger and satisfy her visitors with countryside), a very important her savoury specialties. Roman food is a popular, yet simple one. ingredient in many recipes. It is not sophisticated or elaborate, but generous, rich in flavours Not to mention the pasta, of course, a staple for every Italian, and character, and full of many and therefore every Roman. From mouth-watering recipes. “carbonara” to spaghetti “ajo e ojo” The typical Roman food has its (simple but so effective, with its roots in the past and reflects fiery mix of olive oil, garlic and the old traditions in most of its chili pepper), from rigatoni “con offerings. It is based on fresh vegetables (the king is definitely pajata” to a hearty, fragrant soup the artichoke, whether deep fried, such as “pasta e ceci.” simmered in olive oil with garlic and mint, or “alla giudia”), not There are few Roman desserts, expensive cuts of meats (the so and they are mainly connected to called “quinto quarto,” meaning festivities (Carnival, Eastern or mainly innards, cooked with Christmas). They are definitely herbs and hot chilli pepper). It worth a try, however, especially also consists of deep fried, tasty the ricotta cake, which is made appetizers (such as salted cod with fresh ricotta cheese mixed and filled zucchini blossoms) and with sugar, lemon, vanilla, candied sharp “pecorino cheese” (made fruits, pine nuts and raisins. from sheep’s milk from the nearby
& W I ne
Castelli Romani Wine Private Tasting from Rome
eave your Rome hotel and head to the hills of Castelli Romani, the Lazio region’s easy-on-theeye winemaking area. While its name hints at an abundance of Roman castles, Castelli Romani is actually a collection of 13 extremely scenic villages in the Alban Hills, punctuated by volcanic lakes and secluded valleys.
On a tour of the rustic estate, hear how it was once a convent, and learn about the winemaking traditions that have been passed down by generations of the Benedetti family.
At this secluded little spot, sit down for your wine-tasting session, sampling three important Santa Benedetta Head on to the hamlet of Monte wines – complexus, gigi and tre vecchie. Porzio Catone, and visit Santa Benedetta – the oldest winery in Castelli Romani.
Soak up the wine with a plate of local delicacies, including the winery’s extra virgin olive oil, bruschetta (pane di Lariano, an aromatic, crusty white bread), cheeses and cured meats. After relaxing at the estate, enjoying the fine wine, food and great company
Lets
Some of the biggest names in Italian fashion - Fendi, Valentino, Bulgari - hail from Rome and you will find their flagship stores, as well as boutiques by Prada, Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Gucci, and many others, along the grid of streets near the Spanish Steps. Via Condotti is Rome’s main drag for haute couture and “aspirational” window shopping, though you’ll also find high fashion beckoning from the boutiques on Via Borgognona, Via Frattina, Via Sistina, and Via Bocca de Leone. Chain Stores and Mainstream Shopping in Rome
If you want to shop where regular Romans shop, there are several good places to go. Via del Corso,
and the streets that radiate from it, is the most obvious shopping area. The mile-long street which runs from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo has all manner of shops, including the Ferrari flagship store, numerous shoe stores, popular fashion brands like Diesel and Benetton, and department stores (Rinascente, COIN). Another area popular with Romans is Via Cola di Rienzo in the Prati neighborhood. This long street north of the Vatican has a similar assortment of stores to those on Via del Corso but has far fewer tourists crowding the sidewalks.
Shope Outdoor Flea Markets and Antiques in Rome There are several good outdoor markets, flea markets, and places to buy antiques in Rome. Porta Portese, which operates on Sundays from 7am until 1pm, is the most important flea market in Rome and is one of the largest flea markets in Europe. At Porta Portese, you’ll find everything from antique housewares to secondhand clothing and music to original art, jewelry, posters, furniture, etc. Porta Portese is located at the south end of the Trastevere neighborhood.
Rome