Best of Rome: Vatican & Colosseum Highlights

Only one day to check off all the must-sees in Rome? Andiamo! In one action-packed day, you’ll tour the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, followed by the Colosseum and Ancient Rome on a journey in the footsteps of Gladiators and Caesars who inhabited Roma Caput Mundi.

Highlights

• So many takeaways! What’s all the fuss about a she-wolf? Did all roads really lead to Rome?
• Skip-the-line access to FOUR venues along this tour
• A morning and an afternoon tour, with plenty of time in between for a leisurely Roman lunch

Description

Meet your guide just steps from the Vatican and enjoy priority entrance as we head past the queues and straight inside the Vatican Museums. See the major works of art ranging from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces, and learn how the two are closely intertwined. Much of this tour will be dedicated to the Raphael Rooms and the extraordinary frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. From the commissioning of this colossal masterpiece to the finishing touches applied by Michaelangelo Buonarroti, your guide will help you to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this majestic work of art.

After spending ample time inside the Sistine Chapel you may remain inside the Vatican Museums as long as you like, or enjoy fast track entry to explore St. Peter’s Basilica on your own.

After a break for lunch, regroup at the Colosseum and enjoy fast track entry to the vast arena, the Icon of Rome built in 72AD to seat up to 50,000 spectators. Upon entering the Colosseum, your guide will provide you with an authentic portrayal of the Gladiator games held in the grandest amphitheater of the Roman Empire. Their expert insights will assist you in distinguishing between historical fact, imaginative fiction, and the cinematic representations depicted in blockbuster movies.

After walking around the perimeter of the Colosseum, gaze down onto the arena floor and beneath to the maze-like underground level where man and beast awaited their moment of glory or met their fateful death.

With the Colosseum behind you, travel even further back in time as you enter the Roman Forum: the true heart of Ancient Rome with monuments dating as far back as the 7th century BC. On Palatine Hill, you’ll learn of the legendary founding of Rome and how a she-wolf rescued and nursed the young twins Romulus (the first King of Rome) and Remus after they washed up on the banks of the Tiber River. Your guide will share the fascinating story of how these famous twins would pave the way for future tyrants, Emperors, and even Caesars who declared themselves Gods throughout the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

Know before you book

• Due to the route covered and/or the means of transportation used, it is not possible to participate in this tour using a wheelchair, scooter, or other aid. Please contact us to inquire about customized tour options for guests with mobility challenges
• Tours taking place on Wednesdays will not include access to St. Peter’s, as the Basilica is closed during Papal Audience
• Prefer to book a private tour instead? Contact us for details.

Know before you go

• Vatican Dress Code: shoulders and knees must be covered
• An official form of ID is required to enter the Colosseum
• No knives or large bags will be allowed into the Vatican or Colosseum

Cancellation Policy

• Tours depart rain or shine unless otherwise specified.
• All cancellations must be received in writing. Tours and passes will be refunded if cancelled more than 24 hours before the tour start time, however the following penalties apply:
• For tours entering the Vatican Museums and/or the Colosseum (venues where tickets are non-refundable) a penalty of $30 per person will be retained for each venue.
• No refunds will be made for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice or failure to arrive at the meeting point on time (no-show).