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ROME |
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One of the most important City in the world, Rome is very
rich in history, culture and art from every era. Its enormous
monumental and artistic heritage can be divided in different epoch. |
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MONUMENTS OF ROME TOURS |
Rome is an unrepeatable city and is so-called Eternal for
having alternated sumptuous ages with others of decadence
and it is always reviving as it gathers treasures and
memories with the charm of its incomparable landscape. Our
tour will leave from Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Mose's
Fountain, heading to Piazza della Repubblica, previously
known as "dell'Esedra" as its central area also called
esedra of the Diocletian Baths is hidden now by the Fountain
of Naiadi. We will continue towards via Piemonte, the
Aurelian Walls,
Porta Pinciana, Via Veneto, Via Nazionale. After this ample
view of an important part of the city, the guided tour will
lead you to the Trevi Fountain, a baroque jewel, and to the
Pantheon, originally a pagan temple, which will be visited.
We will head to Palazzo Madama, seat of the Senate of the
Republic, to finally get to the gorgeous Piazza Navona,
built on the ruins of the Domitian's Circus. Then you will
have the chance to admire Castel Sant'Angelo and to visit
the St. Peter's Basilica. |
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CASTELLI ROMANI TOURS |
We will leave Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Mose's
Fountain, passing by Piazza della Repubblica. Along the way
we will admire the Caracalla Baths, the Arch of Constantine
and the Colosseum.
This itinerary will take us on the Appia, passing under the
Porta di San Sebastiano (this is the route used by the
ancient Romans, who where going to the Castelli in the
summer to enjoy the fresh breeze).
Passing through Castelgandolfo, today's summer residence of
the Pope, we will arrive in Albano and then Genzano, Nemi,
Rocca di Papa, Grottaferrata and Frascati, going along the
Via dei Laghi. Once in Frascati, there will be a stop to
taste and enjoy the typical wines of this area. |
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VATICAN MUSEUMS TOURS |
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The purpose of this tour is the visit of the Vatican Museums.
Leaving the Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Mose's Fountain,
we will head to Piazza della Repubblica, with the Fountain
of Naiadi in the middle. Then the itinerary will continue,
passing by Via Piemonte, the Aurelian Walls, Porta Pinciana,
the Muro Torto and the Villa Borghese.After this ample view
of an important part of the city, we will visit the Vatican
Museums and the Vatican Galleries. You will then admire the
Round Hall, the Hall of the Greek Cross, the Tomb of St.
Helen and St. Constance. We will then stop to admire the
Sistine Chapel frescoed by Michelangelo. We will continue
with the Galleries of the Chandeliers, of the Tapestries and
of the Geographical Maps to end up in the Vatican Library
Hall. |
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CHRISTIAN ROME TOURS |
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Leaving from Piazza San Bernardo, crossing Piazza della
Repubblica, we will run along Via Nazionale to end up
visiting the Basilica of St. Mary Major, built on the
Esquiline Hill in 352 A.D. The tour will then continue
visiting the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, cathedral of
Rome and of the world. Hence, we will go to the Holy Stairs,
climbed by Jesus Christ to reach Pilate's Palace. From here
the tour will start again by coach, crossing Piazza San
Giovanni and Via LatinSkirting along the Mura Latine, the
tour will pass through the Porta di San Sebastiano to arrive
on the Ancient Appian Way, where we will find the Chapel of
"Domine Quo Vadis". We arrive finally at the Catacombs of
St. Callixtus, where the visit will take about 45 mins (on
Wednesdays the visit will be at the Catacombs of St.
Domitilla). On the way back, from the coach you will have a
view of the Caracalla Baths. |
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Divine Rome Tour |
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Thanks to our driver/guide's expert knowledge of the city,
you will waste no time getting lost! This means you'll be
able to visit and understand the Coliseum, the Roman Forum,
Piazza Venezia (wedding cake monument & Mussolini's balcony),
the Capitoline hill, the Palatine hill, the Circus Maximus,
the Appian way, the Catacombs, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, the
Spanish Steps. You will also pass by several other
attractions that your guide will point out to you, such as
the Via Veneto, Castle St. Angelo and its bridge, the
Italian Senate, The Marble Foot and Cat Street (Roman
Curiosity), Trajan's Column, Imperial Fora, Trajan's Market,
The Maps of the Empire, Arch of Constantine, Marcus
Aurelius's Column, Parliament and Council of Ministers, St.
Nicholas in Chains, temples of Apollo, Vesta and Janus,
Quirinal Palace. At some point you will stop for lunch,
which can either be a leisurely meal in a local restaurant
or a snack at a coffee shop (if you want to be quick!). |
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The best of Rome & the Vatican city |
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This is a perfect tour for those who would like an in-depth
visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, but would
also like to see some of the Rome's other major sites.Your
first stop when you arrive in Rome will be the Piazza
Venezia, where you can take a look at the Monument of Victor
Emmanuel (first italian king) and Mussolini's balcony, after
climb over the Capitoline hill (one of Rome seven hills)
with an amazing view over the Roman Forum. Then you will
drive to the Colosseum where your driver/guide gives you a
brief explanation and history. You will get a chance to go
in and explore on your own (your guide will help you
purchase your entrance tickets without having to stand in
line). Following the Colosseum you'll drive to the Panthẹn
and the famous Trevi Fountain via the Aventine Hill (another
of Rome seven hills). The Trevi Fountain will be followed by
the Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish Steps, where you will spend
a short while before heading to the Borghese Gardens to see
the panorama of Rome and the Vatican from the Pincio Terrace.
Your final stop of the morning will be the famous Piazza
Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. At this
point you will probably want to stop for lunch. Your guide
will present you the following options: a snack in Piazza
Navona, some pizza in the cafeteria of the Vatican Museums,
or a typical lunch in a little neighborhood restaurant (all
at your cost). After lunch your tour of the Vatican will
begin, the moment you've been waiting for. You will start at
the Vatican Museums, this are enormous, about 1,500 rooms,
but you will only see the best parts on your way to the
Sistine Chapel. Normally this visit includes the Cortile
della Pigna, Belvedere, Pio Clementino Museum, the Gallery
of Candelabra, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of
Maps, and Raphael's Rooms. Because of the way the traffic
inside the Museums is regulated at some times certain
portions are closed off, so please note that the itinerary
can change from time to time. Of course, you will end at the
Sistine Chapel!From the Sistine you'll go directly to St.
Peter's Basilica, where you will see the Pietà by
Michelangelo and other fantastic masterpieces by Bernini and
Canova. After St. Peter's you'll want to take some pictures
of the square, shop for souvenirs and/or grab a drink. After
such an exciting and interesting day, you'll enjoy the
relaxing ride back to the pier |
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Cultural Rome Tour |
St. Peter's Square -Created by Bernini is considered one of
the loveliest squares in the world. Twin Doric colonnades
topped with statues of various saints and martyrs flank
either side of the square. In the center stands an 84-foot
obelisk, brought from Egypt in 37 A.D. At the head of the
square stands St.Peter's Basilica and to the right the
Vatican Palace.
St. Peter's Basilica - Christendom's most magnificient
church, which was begun in 1452 on the site where St.Peter
was buried. Throughout the following 200 years, such
Renaissance masters as Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael and
Bernini worked on its design and created an unparalleled
masterpiece. Of special note are Michelangelo's Pieta and
the bronze canopy over the high altar by Bernini. The
immense dome was designed by Michelangelo.
The Vatican Museums - The Museums contain an incredible
collection of art and treasures collected by the popes. Your
guide will walk you through a portion of this ncredible
museum.
Sistine Chapel - This masterpiece was built in 1473 as the
private papal chapel for Pope Sixtus IV. It took
Michelangelo four years at the height of the Renaissance, to
paint the ceiling's wonderful frescos of the Creation.
Twenty-four years later he painted the extraordinary Last
Judgment on the end wall. The other walls of the chapel were
painted by artists including Botticelli, Ghirlandaio,
Pinturicchio and Signorelli.
Trevi Fountain - The most monumental of Rome's baroque
fountains was designed by Bernini. Legend has it that if you
toss a coin backwards over your head into the bassin, it
will ensure your return to Rome.
Spanish Steps - The over 200-year-old staircase named after
the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. Enjoy time at
leisure to explore, shop and sample some local food during
lunch time. Please note that lunch is not included with this
tour.Some of the main points of interest that will be viewed
from the vehicle during your sightseeing drive are:
Piazza Venezia - This busy square, which is the geographical
heart of the city, is easily recognized by its huge
monument. The white marble structure was inaugurated in 1911
and dedicated to Victor Emanuel II as a symbol of Italy's
unification. It also holds the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Pantheon - This is the best-preserved building of ancient
Rome. The original temple was built in 27 BC by Marcus
Agrippa, and dedicated to the planetary gods. It was later
rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 120 AD.
Roman Forum - The Forum was the commercial, political and
religious center of ancient Rome. Its importance declined
along with the empire after the 4th century, and the
temples, monuments and buildings constructed by successive
emperors, consuls and senators over a period of 900 years
fell into ruins.
Arch of Constantine - The best preserved of Rome's triumphal
arches. This 4th-century BC monument is covered with reliefs
depicting Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the
Milvian Bridge.
Circus Maximus - The ruins that remain of what was once a
chariot racetrack big enough to hold more than 200,000
people.
Colosseum - The amphitheater where ancient Rome flocked for
gladiatorial contests and other spectacles. The construction
of this massive structure that could seat 80,000 was started
by 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian. |
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Etruscans Tour Tuscania – Orvieto - Civita |
If you have already visited Rome and you want to see
something different. Or if you simply want to have some
relaxing time in the country, away from the crowded touristy
areas. We will drive through the countryside north of Rome ,
mainly the area called Tuscia (name deriving from Etruscan )
and some of Umbria (name deriving from umbra =shade), the
shady heart of Italy . The tour we suggest includes Orvieto
(1 hour from Civitavecchia ) and other charming little towns
on the way to Orvieto and on the way back from there. After
leaving Civitavecchia the first stop could be in Tuscania.
Founded by the Etruscan, it became a Roman colony in the 3rd
Century b.c. and it appears today as a charming little
medieval town. Unfortunately it was badly damage by an
earthquake in 1971 and they haven't finished refurbishing
the old buildings yet. Driving in the direction of Orvieto
you can stop briefly at the town of Montefiascone , another
town founded originally by the Etruscans. Built right on top
of a hill overlooking the lake Bolsena about 1800 ft a. s.
l. it appears today as a really charming medieval town. We
will stop there shortly just to admire the view from the
hilltop, but we might end up finding the time to wander
around the typical streets for a little while. Montefiascone
is known also for its production of white. Another place we
will visit before arriving to Orvieto is Civita di
Bagnoregio. This charming little town was also founded by
the Etruscans around 2500 years ago on top of a hill formed
by "tufah" stone. The area must have been really different
in those days. The natural erosion and earthquakes have in
fact changed the town a lot less space on top of the hill
than it originally had. In 1794 one of those earthquakes
destroyed the sort of natural bridge that linked Civita to
the bigger nearby town of Bagnoregio . The natural erosion
hasn't stopped and the sides of the hill keep crumbling down
and therefore they call Civita "the dying city". It really
is a place to see! "Civita, like an island in our memory or
a figment of our imagination, is connected by a narrow
walkway to reality and to the surrounding countryside; it
takes us far away, not so much in distance as in time....
There is a feeling that one is leaving the real world, and
this filling becomes stronger after entering the ancient
city gate, standing guard over a sheer drop between the
remains of two houses with thir windows opened wide over the
emptiness.
One almost has the impression that this gate opens into a
supernatural world, surviving in another dimension".
We will approach Orvieto from the West and it will appear to
us from the distance sitting on its plateau formed by the
volcanic "tufah" stone. A great view! We should be arriving
there around 1:00 pm . Time for lunch! The people here have
their main meal in the middle of the day after which they
like to nap. Shops in fact don't re-open any earlier than
3/4:00 pm. It's the famous Italian tradition of the
"siesta".You can choose between a light lunch at the wine
shop on the main square (weather permitting you can eat
outside) and some local cuisine in a typical restaurant
housed in the caves that the people of Orvieto dug in the
tufah stone underneath the city. After lunch you'll have the
time to visit the magnificent Cathedral, one on the most
beautiful in Italy . After visiting the duomo you can stroll
down Orvieto's quaint narrow streets crammed with colorful
shops selling beautiful ceramics. Orvieto produces one of
the most famous Italian white wines and the wine shop on the
square offers the opportunity to taste some of the local
wines and to eat some of the prosciutto, salame and cheeses
locally produced. As an alternative and time permitting, you
might want to have a more substantial meal and taste some of
the region's renowned outstanding foods at a proper
restaurant. |
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