Description:

Rome appears to the world for the first time in history as a populations of traders and farmers who lived over several hills along the Tiber river. The Roman legend ranks the foundation of Rome around the year 753 B.C. with the dynasty of the 7 Roman kings, most of them Etruscan, which came to an end thanks to a revolution led by the locals in the year 509 B.C. with the establishment of the Roman Rupubblica. Until few years ago we only knew about this trough legends and stories but today archaeological discoveries brought back to light facts from the ancient historians. Near the end of the 1^st century B.C. the fight for the power between Marc Anthony and Augusts, right after the death of Julius Caesar, led the republican political system to an end and somehow introduced again a new form of monarchy now led by Princeps later Emperors that was the beginning of the Roman Empire which lasted till the end of the 5^th century A.D. Kings, Senators and Emperors all played an import role for the Political, Religious, Commercial and Military life in Rome commissioning the construction of sewers, aqueducts, bridges, temples, statues, government buildings and structures used for what they consider entertainment. Today thanks to our staff we will be more than happy to show you all the remains and what is left to our eyes to admire now days. After several centuries of darkness Rome slowly began to bloom under Papal rule, so called Builder Popes acquired great international wealth and began to beautify the area across the river from the Vatican starting from the early renaissance trough the heart of the baroque time 1400s till 1700s that explains the referral "Rome of the Popes". During this time Popes had work for them great architect and most famous artist from Michelangelo to Bernini, rebuilding aqueducts to bring back water in the city and supply fountains, beautiful residences and churches. In most cases when churches fountains and family building are in the same area we refer to it as a Piazza (square).

Day like:

The Tour is 9/h usually it starts at 08:00AM . Your driver will meet you right under the ship holding a sign with your last name on it he will always monitor time in order to have you back to the ship by 05:30 pm at the latest. The drive to city center and back to the port, due to traffic, is about 1,5/h each way. During the morning you will visit sights from the ancient Romans such as Pantheon, Coliseum, Circus Maximums, Palatine Hill, drive by Roman forum, Capitol hill also some highlights from the Renaissance period like Trevi fountain, Spanish steps. Around 12:30 stop for a little lunch break in order to continue and visit the main Squares and Fountains from the Rome of the Popes.

Helpful Info:

To enter the Vatican and any other worship place you must cover up your shoulders and your knees.

You are required to purchase tickets on line to avoid long queues for:

- Coliseum http://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm

Vatican http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?action=booking&codiceTipoVisita=26&step=2

Always remember to get the reservation printed out and take it with you.

If you spend more than one day in Rome we suggest you to visit Rome and the Vatican on a different day.

Coliseum tickets: 14 Euros (Reservation fee included)

Vatican Museums tickets: 25 Euros (Pre-sales fee included)

Catacombs ticket: 8 Euros

Ostia Ruins: 8 Euros

Tivoli Gardens: 8 Euros

Etruscan Museum: 8 Euros