Rome is the capital of Italy and its largest city. It is located on the Tiber and Aniene rivers, near the Mediterranean Sea. The Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, and the home of the Pope is also found in Rome. The city’s history extends nearly 2,800 years, during which time it has been the seat of ancient Rome, and later the Papal States, Kingdom of Italy and Italian Republic. Rome is so filled with Christian art and architecture, wonderful sights, cultural exhibits and so much more that the city will astound you. Rome was not built in a day and you certainly cannot see all of Rome even in 30 days. From the Pantheon, you are probably twenty or thirty minutes by foot from most of the places you’d want to see – the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, Campo De’ Fiori, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant’ Angelo, Villa Borghese, and Trastevere. To really understand the culture and soul of Rome you have to stand among its many wonderful landmarks and attractions.
Day 1 Arrival and day at leisure
Arrival at Rome airport, where you are met and transferred to the 4 star Hotel Anglo Americano (or similar) with accommodation in superior room including breakfast daily. Day at leisure to explore the city center
Day 2 Discover Vatican City Half-Day Walking Tour
Discover Vatican City with a guide and skip-the-line access, including the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Learn about Raphael’s Rooms, the Michelangelo frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, the ‘La Pietà’ sculpture in St Peter’s Basilica and more. The entrance fee (not included) is payable on the day of your tour. Meet your local guide and pay your fee to enter the Vatican Museums. Then, with your skip-the-line ticket, step inside to start your Vatican and Sistine Chapel tour. Follow your guide, listening to tales of saintliness and scandal, and learn about the Vatican’s place as one of the holiest sites in Christendom. Italian art flourished in the Renaissance and baroque periods, and the Vatican popes put together one of the world’s largest collections of private art with frescos, paintings, sculptures and treasure. See the highlights as you walk through galleries such as Raphael’s Rooms, and hear stories behind works such as the School of Athens. Then, make your way into the Sistine Chapel. A sacred spot and the private papal chapel, the Sistine Chapel is also renowned for its Michelangelo frescoes — The Last Judgement and The Creation of Adam. Continue to St Peter’s Basilica. Admire La Pietà, an early Michelangelo sculpture, and pause to rub the foot of a statue of St Peter, said to bring good luck.