Compare Italy: Eternal Rome by Sights and Soul Travels vs Italy in 9 days - Ancient Rome, Cathedrals & Canals - Superior by Exoticca
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| Trip |
0 | Poor
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 6 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 2,495 | $ 1,399 |
| Price Per Day | $ 416 | $ 155 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
5 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
8 breakfasts. |
| Description |
Rome is one of the world's great cities: it's the city of the Caesars and la dolce vita, of long sunny days, endless art galleries, churches and museums, of fountain-splashed piazzas and majestic monuments from Rome's Imperial Golden Age. Rome is a city where the ancient buildings, cobbled medieval streets and Renaissance domes set the stage for great wine bars, fabulous dining, sidewalk cafes and incomparable shopping. The Eternal Rome Tour will be an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture and history of the Eternal City and travel back two and a half thousand years to the dawn of Western civilization. We will tour the most significant monuments of ancient Rome: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, visit the sites related to the early Christians and the Vatican - the present seat of Catholicism. We'll be awed by the historic city center with its purely Renaissance and Baroque character and the modern city around the architectural and artistic marvels, as we enjoy the Roman dolce vita of dining, shopping and friends. |
Travel to Italy and immerse yourself in its history, culture and gastronomy. Land in Rome and admire one of the most romantic cities in the world, filled with cultural delights, such as the Colosseum, before heading to Florence to discover its hidden treasures and Renaissance heritage. Finally, explore Venice, known for its waterways and canals, built across 100 small islands. |
Day 1: Rome of the Artists Tour
Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: San Carlo Hotel, Rome
On your arrival in Rome, you will be met by a chauffeur on your arrival at the Rome Fiumicino Airport for a private transfer to our boutique hotel in the center of Rome. In the afternoon, we'll meet for a welcome drink, followed by an introductory walk of the city: Rome of the Artists, featuring the highlights of the Baroque and Renaissance Rome, and in the evening, we'll celebrate the Roman way of life and la dolce vita with the welcome dinner.
Day 2: Ancient Rome
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: San Carlo Hotel, Rome
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we'll join a private historian-led walking tour of ancient Rome, featuring the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. We'll get fascinating insights into Rome's millennia of history, as we stroll from the Colle Oppio with a panoramic view of the Eternal City to the Colosseum where we'll listen to tales of gladiators, mock sea-battles and executions, by the Arch of Constantine, through the Palatine Hill overlooking Nero's Circus Maximus, where chariot races were held, to Via Sacra (the Sacred Way), the main path through the Roman Forum that was used for triumphal processions. After this introduction to the ancient Rome, we'll enjoy a delightful cafe lunch, and the afternoon will be free to explore Rome at your leisure.
Day 3: Tivoli
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: San Carlo Hotel, Rome
After all the history and art, today we'll get a chance to escape Rome and journey to the ancient city of Tivoli to visit Hadrian's Villa, an outstanding Roman site, with impressive ruins of Emperor Hadrian's favorite residence. We'll tour the monumental Marine Theater, walk past the ruins of great libraries, the Heliocaminus thermal baths, and the Golden Square with its gardens and Hadrian's reproduction of a sacred site in the Egyptian city of Canopus. A short drive will take us to Villa d'Este, the magnificent Renaissance villa with beautifully frescoed rooms and the spectacular park with countless fountains, imaginative landscaping and centuries-old olive trees lining the paths. We'll stop for lunch at a restaurant attached to a former acropolis of Tivoli, which offers great food as well as spectacular views over the town and the cascading Aniene River waterfall. Before leaving Tivoli, there will be time to stroll through the town's picturesque street market with colorful stalls and local products.
Day 4: Vatican Museums
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: San Carlo Hotel, Rome
After breakfast, we'll set out for the Vatican City to tour the Vatican Museums, which house over 9 miles of the most extensive collection of art in the world. We'll be able to experience Michelangelo's famous Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel and the School of Athens in Raphael's Rooms, be humbled by the imposing beauty of St. Peter's Basilica, where we'll encounter another Michelangelo's masterpiece, La Pietà, and admire the magnificent St. Peter's Square, with Bernini's ingenious use of optical illusion. In the evening, we'll relax over a low-key dinner at a traditional Roman pizzeria.
Day 5: Villa and Galleria Borghese
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: San Carlo Hotel, Rome
Today, we'll visit Villa and Galleria Borghese, on a tour that is a great journey into the history of art, to discover and appreciate the absolute masterpieces from several epochs, as well as the opportunity to know the artists and the powerful patrons that contributed to their fame. In the splendid setting of Villa Borghese, an architectural masterpiece in itself, we'll get acquainted with the life of Pope Paul V, his princely court and his nephew, Scipione, who played a fundamental role in the gallery's creation. Obviously, the works of art by Bernini will play a central role. In the villa we'll admire his splendid sculptures of Aeneas and Anchises, Truth, Apollo and Daphne, and experience the visions, stories and legends behind them. There are beautiful works by Caravaggio, such as Saint Jerome and a self-portrait in the guise of Bacchus that will help shed light on the great master of chiaroscuro, his adventurous life - to say the least, the murder he committed, and his great artistic talent. In the evening, we'll say good-bye to Rome with a farewell Roman dinner.
Day 6: Departures
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll have time to enjoy other aspects of Rome before your private transfer to the airport according to your flight departure time.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Pack your bags and head to your departure airport, ready for a flight to the eternal city of Rome.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Rome
Arrive in Rome, the Italian capital, and transfer to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free to begin exploring this romantic, historic city. The evening is the most magical time of day in Rome when the streets take on an even more charming character. Overnight stay in Rome.
Day 3: Rome
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a guided visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, three of the main archaeological sites of the Eternal City. Learn about the history of this empire, from its birth to the gladiatorial fights in the Colosseum, and appreciate the preserved corners of ancient Rome in the Forum and the Palatine Hill. We recommend the optional Piazzas and Fountains of Rome excursion.* The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the historic streets of Rome and dine on delicious Italian cuisine!** Overnight stay in Rome. * Optional Piazzas & Fountains of Rome Excursion: Take a pleasant walk through the artistic heart of Rome to visit its most symbolic piazzas and fountains! Visit Piazza Navona, the most elegant of all Rome squares and home to Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain. See the Church of San Luigi, the incredible Pantheon and the legendary Trevi Fountain, an icon of the city. Finally, pay a visit to the famous Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna, the most photogenic spot in the city! ** Optional Authentic Italian meal at a restaurant in Campo Di Fiori: Enjoy an evening of authentic Italian cuisine in beautiful Campo Di Fiori Square, nestled in the heart of historic Rome. Soak up the atmosphere as you indulge in Italian dishes at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Rome
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a day at your leisure in Rome. Perhaps visit the Vatican, trace the footsteps of the greats in the ancient streets of the old city or simply indulge in some delicious Italian ice cream. However you choose to spend your day, Rome is sure to delight you with its old-world charm and unbeatable sights. We suggest taking the optional Guided tour of Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel*. Overnight stay in Rome. * Optional Skip-the-line Guided Tour of Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel: Explore the priceless treasures held within the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel! Visit the Pio Clementino Hall, Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere, Maps Gallery, Candelabra Gallery, Tapestries Gallery and the incredible Sistine Chapel. Afterwards, discover the incredible St. Peter’s Basilica and the atmospheric St. Peter’s Square, dominated by Michelangelo’s imposing Cupola! Please note: Optional tour available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. Why not upgrade your trip with our Must See's of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!
Day 5: Rome - Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, meet your transfer and head to the train station to catch the Frecciarossa high-speed train to Florence. Arrive in Florence, the heart of the Italian Renaissance, and self-transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure to explore the city and keep enjoying the Italian cuisine in this gourmet paradise. Overnight stay in Florence.
Day 6: Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. Today head to the Historic Centre of Florence for a guided walking tour of Florence and discover the hidden secrets of the Tuscan capital. Start discovering Piazza Repubblica, one of the fanciest of the city, before heading to Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, a building where a local market takes place. Keep exploring the streets of Florence before arriving at the beautiful and well-known Ponte Vecchio, the most iconic bridge in the city and one of its main symbols. You will then walk through the Piazza della Signoria, the heart of Medieval Florence with the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. End the tour admiring Piazza San Giovanni, home to the impressive Florence Cathedral, with its iconic Brunelleschi cupola and the famous Giotto Belltower. Rest of the day at your leisure to continue exploring the captivating sights of Florence. Overnight stay in Florence.
Day 7: Florence
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at your leisure to enjoy your last day in the city. Florence's historical centre is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so why not take a stroll on your own to discover its hidden treasures. Overnight stay in Florence. * Optional Half-Day Tour to Pisa & The Leaning Tower: No trip to Italy is complete without a photo at the iconic leaning tower, so don't miss your chance to take a day trip to Pisa! Enjoy a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli and its monuments and visit the spectacular Pisa Cathedral before spending time at the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, learning all about the history of this University city along the way.
Day 8: Florence - Venice
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer to the station to catch the Frecciarossa high-speed train to Venice (Mestre Station). Arrive in the romantic city of Venice, self-transfer to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Built across more than 100 small islands, Venice is a pleasure to explore on foot as you get lost in the labyrinthine streets, stumbling across hidden cafes and cultural gems along the way. Get out and discover the plentiful delights on this eternal city, such as the immense Piazza San Marco. Overnight stay in Venice.
Day 9: Venice
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a guided walking tour through Venice, through the fascinating streets and across the canals; a crossroads of culture where East meets West. Admire the Basilica and Piazza of San Marco next to Gothic-style Doge's Palace, the Campanile and the Clock Tower stand. Soak up the lively atmosphere of the Campo, a bustling square next to the Church of Santa Maria. Continue to marvel at the grand Basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo, uncover legendary tales of Marco Polo and finally return to St. Mark’s Square by strolling through the main Venetian shopping street, the Mercerie, and immerse yourself in the historic buzz of the city. The rest of the day is at your leisure to continue discovering this unique city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Venice. *Optional Gondola Ride Experience: One of the most famous characteristics of Venice is its historic gondolas and now you can be a part of this legacy yourself! Experience an unforgettable 35-minute gondola ride through the charming waterways of Venice including the iconic Grand Canal. The quintessential Venetian experience! Note: Please note that it is a shared gondola (up to five people for each one) so you might have to share it with other people. Why not upgrade your trip with our Must see`s of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!
Day 10: Venice - US
Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer by car from Venice Mestre to the airport for your return flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** Depending on the return flight schedule, you may arrive in the US the next day and the total duration of the trip would be 11 days.
