The Grandeur of Rome

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Fly to Rome

  We fly to Rome and transfer to one of our favourite 4 star Hotel Marcella Royal, centrally located on the Via Flavia.

• Day 2 - Pantheon

  We start our visit at the Pantheon, the best-preserved building of Ancient Rome, and then go to the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi where we see The Life of St Matthew by Caravaggio. There will be some free time to enjoy the delights of the Piazza Navona and in the afternoon we will go to the Campo de’Fiori, admire the exterior of the Palazzo Farnese, and see the Theatre of Marcellus and the Piazza del Campidoglio. Our day ends at the Capitoline Museum.

• Day 3 - Exploring Rome

  We start at the Ara Pacis – Augustus’s Altar of Peace - and then visit Santa Maria del Popolo with works by Caravaggio and Raphael. In the afternoon we go to the Villa Borghese with its superb picture collection and then to Santa Maria della Vittoria with its masterpiece by Bernini.

• Day 4 - Churches in Rome

  Trajan’s Markets, created by the Emperor in the 2nd century AD, the Forum dotted with temples, triumphal arches and basilicas, and the beautiful Palatine Hill and the Colosseum make up our programme this morning. This afternoon is devoted to three of the most ancient and important churches in Rome where the entire history of the city comes to life – San Clemente, Santa Costanza with its 4th century mosaics, and Sant’Agnese.

• Day 5 - Tivoli

  We spend the day in Tivoli where we visit Hadrian’s Villa and the fabled and fanciful gardens of the Villa d’Este.

• Day 6 - Galleria Doria Pamphili, Vatican and the Sistine Chapel

  The morning is spent at the Galleria Doria Pamphili, one of the greatest art collections still in private hands. The afternoon is spent exploring the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

• Day 7 - Janiculum Hill, Trastevere and the Baths of Caracalla

  We begin at Bramante’s Tempietto, cool and serene on the Janiculum Hill with its wonderful view over Rome. Raphael’s glorious and colourful frescoes in the Villa Farnesina, Santa Maria in Trastevere and a walk through the lively Trastevere district complete the morning. Our last visit will be to the Baths of Caracalla, Rome’s second-largest public baths built between 212 – 217 AD.

• Day 8 - Flight back to London

  Some free time this morning before we depart for the airport and the flight back to London.