Rome & the Sistine Chapel

We arrive in Rome, and transfer to our fabulous hotel in the centre of it all. A relaxed first day with time to adjust to our thrilling location. Why not take a leisurely walk on the surrounding streets before settling down for a delicious welcome dinner with the group? Benvenuto in Roma!

Our adventure begins at the Colosseum, the iconic Flavian Amphitheatre – the largest of its type ever constructed. Here we enjoy a specially-arranged visit to the underground service tunnels and upper levels, offering unprecedented access to the atmospheric corridors in which so many lives were lived and broken.

Following lunch we take an afternoon walk through the heart of ancient Rome, stopping at the Forum, site of profound historical events such as the Gracchi riots, Caesar’s funeral, and the triumph of Alaric the Goth. Here existed the major public institutions of the state, including the senate, the popular assembly and the chief temples – a classical location which still retains the power to impress.

We end the day with a walk along the later Imperial Fora, an elaborate series of ruined public squares, finishing at Trajan’s Column. This towering monument was completed in 113 AD, and marked Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars. A formidable legacy.

This morning we wake to enjoy a guided visit around the vast collections of the Vatican Museum, amassed by Popes across the centuries. Prepare for archaeological wonders and iconic sculptures. Here we have the chance to marvel at Michelangelo's most masteful creation, the Sistine Chapel.

In the afternoon we enjoy some free time to explore Saint Peter’s Basilica, a jewel of the Renaissance, and the largest church in the world. Ascend the great dome for astounding views of the city, or visit the extensive papal tombs in Saint Peter’s crypt.

Our private evening visit will be to the world-renowned Capitoline museum, as we have been able to get exclusive access to this extraordinary collection of ancient art, which includes the Capitoline Wolf and the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. 

Following breakfast we visit the Borghese Gallery, a 17th-century gem of a villa, which houses a substantial selection of the amazing art collection gathered by the Borghese, one of Rome’s most illustrious families. Works by Bernini, Titian, and Caravaggio are displayed within this incredible assemblage of art – an education in Italy’s greatest masters.

We continue on to the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius, a striking monument dating from 18-12 BC, built to contain the body of the prominent magistrate Cestius. An essential stop on many a Grand Tour, the pyramid has featured in works by both Shelley and Hardy.

Tucked inside the Aurelian walls, and adjacent to the tomb of Cestius is the “Non-Catholic” Cemetery of Rome. The scene of many illustrious burials, notable graves here include that of John Keats. Shelley’s heart is also buried on site, along with his ashes.

Our day draws to a close at the innovative Montemartini Museum, a former power station in which we find beautiful galleries of classical sculpture and Roman mosaics – a highly unusual juxtaposition of elegant antiquities and industrial machinery.

This morning we walk along the winding lanes and alleys of Medieval Rome, through the area known as the Field of Mars, the most populous region of city during the Middle Ages. No exploration of the Fields would be complete without a look inside the Pantheon, the inspirational building built by Emperor Hadrian as a shrine to the Roman gods. Its roof still holds the title of the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built. A truly jaw-dropping sight.

We continue on to the bustling square of Piazza Navona, former stadium of Emperor Domitian, then head for the Column of Marcus Aurelius, an intricately decorated monument celebrating the emperor’s victories in the Marcomannic Wars.

Our guided walk ends at the Ara Pacis, a great altar of peace built by Augustus in 13 BC and reassembled in the 1930s. We admire its famous frieze depicting the imperial family, and senators in procession.

The afternoon in free for us to explore the Eternal City at our leisure, before reuniting for a jubilant farewell dinner with the group.

Our last day in Rome is upon us, and we waste no time in delving in to Ostia Antica, the original port of ancient Rome. Parts of this sprawling site are as well preserved as Pompeii, showing all the remnants of ancient urban life. We view a forum, baths, temples, private houses and tenements, as well as the warehouses and wharves used for storing supplies for the imperial capital.

We then transfer to the airport for our return flights home. Arrivederci Roma!