The Ultimate Bucket List Orientation Tour of Rome

The perfect orientation tour through the heart of the Roman Dolce Vita. Experience the must-sees of Baroque Rome including the Trevi Fountain, a skip-the-line visit inside the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps with an expert local guide by your side.

Highlights

• View ancient, Renaissance and Baroque pieces by masters such as Bernini and Caravaggio
• Catch all the must-see highlights in less than 3 hours!
• Toss your coins in the Trevi Fountain to be sure you’ll return to Rome!
• Explore Quintessential Rome, birthplace of the Dolce Vita

Description

Meet your guide in Piazza del Popolo, one of the most ornate squares in Rome located beneath the sprawling gardens of the Villa Borghese. After taking in the massive Egyptian obelisk and fountains depicting the Goddess Roma and Rome’s founders, Romulus and Remus, we’ll continue our walk along the swanky Via dei Condotti and Via del Corso, considered by locals to be the best streets for shopping on lazy Sundays. A few short steps will bring us to one of the most photographed staircases in the world: The Spanish Steps.

No visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the Trevi Fountain, immortalized in Fellini’s film “La Dolce Vita” by none other than Anita Ekberg when she decided to take an impromptu dip on screen. A word to the wise, be sure not to try this today, as you’d be subject to arrest by the Roman Polizia. However, do be sure to toss three coins into the blue water before moving on to ensure your return to Bella Roma!

Stroll along the cobblestone streets through Piazza Sant’Ignazio and visit the breathtaking church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola with massive frescoes and trompe-l’oeil illusion dome, whose every intricate detail you can capture from a huge mirror directly below.

As we reach the Pantheon, learn about this second-to-none architectural marvel built nearly 2,000 years ago as a Pagan temple to honor all the Roman Gods. The sky was the limit when it came to building temples to the Gods of Ancient Rome, and hear the details of how 16 Corinthian columns weighing 60 tons each were quarried in Egypt, dragged for more than 100 km to the River Nile, and then shipped across the Mediterranean to prop up this architectural masterpiece. View the massive oculus at the top of the dome and the tombs of both Raphael and the first king of unified Italy before making the short walk to San Luigi de Francesci church to admire a trio of paintings by Caravaggio, the father of the Chiaroscuro technique.

Our final leg of this Roman journey will be Piazza Navona, a picturesque promenade that lies above what was once Emperor Domitian’s stadium. Enjoy the scene of buskers and street artists while Bernini’s remarkable Baroque fountains take center stage. While you take in the stunning Fountain of Four Rivers, your guide will tell the tale of a 17th-century feud between rival artists Bernini and Borromini that would be immortalized in their masterpieces.

Know before you book

• Due to the route covered, 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.
• Churches of Rome are subject to unannounced closures. In the event a church is closed/off limits, no refunds will be made.
• Prefer to book a private tour instead? Contact us for details.

Know before you go

• Bring a hat, sunblock and comfortable shoes.
• In Rome’s churches, shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women.

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).