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Some examples you can choose from, or adapt to your
own plan -
Don't forget to try out our Tour Sample!
ROMAN PERIOD
Roman Festivities in the Forum
The Forum with its temples and statues was the last refuge of the pagan gods as
Christianity spread through the Eternal City. This walk takes you through the Roman Forum
by retracing the pagan processions, festivities and ceremonies which could be seen here at
different times of the year. The memory of such festivals lives on in one of the city's
most impressive archaeological sites. CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Triumphal Arches in the Forum
This walk charts Rome's triumphal arches, the highest tribute paid to its victorious
generals. Spectacular processions passed through these arches as the victorious legions
bearing the spoils of the campaign accompanied the general's chariot on his way to the
Capitol to be greeted by rapturous crowds. In Imperial times, arches were erected to the
Emperor's victories almost as a matter of course, promoting his personal cult and
subsequent deification.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP
OF THE PAGE.
ALL PERIODS
Roman Games
The Romans' passion for games is well-known: spectacular events such as gladiatorial
combats, horse-races, chariot races, mock sea battles and wrestling were staged in the
city for the benefit of the Roman population through the centuries. Starting in Piazza
Navona, this is a pleasant walk through the historical centre of Rome to see some of the
sites and monuments connected to this theme.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Tiber Walk
Rome owes its very existence to the river Tiber, as the city grew around an easy fording
point where a market place developed. An interesting walk under the plain trees, in search
of interesting neighbourhoods and sweeping vistas leads from the ancient Roman port to see
the Cloaca Maxima, Rome's 2nd c BC drain, through the Jewish Ghetto area nd on to
Trastevere and its picturesque winding streets.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Jewish Ghetto
One of the most picturesque areas of old Rome, the Jewish Ghetto is the area in which, on
a fateful night of year 1556, Pope Paul IV Carafa enclosed Rome's Jewish colony. Today the
area still offers many interesting discoveries: the Roman portico of Octavia, in which a
Christian church is now housed, the beautiful tortoise fountain designed by Giacomo della
Porta, and many others.CLICK HERE TO BOOK,
or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Mosaic Trail (part I, II, III)
Imitating the Audience Rooms of Imperial Palaces, the great Christian basilicas of Rome
were decorated with colourful mosaics, whose varied panoply of hues and colours meant to
give the faithful a glimpse of the heavenly court of the King of Kings. These three walks
comprise some of the best examples, as they concentrate on a few of the early basilicas
and churches which were decorated in this fascinating medium.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Tower Tour
In the Middle Ages Rome's skyline became dotted with towers and strongholds. The Sacred
City was taken over by ruthless and powerful clans with impressive names: the Frangipane,
the Annibaldi, the Pierleoni, the Colonna and Savelli controlled whole areas of the city
from the towers they had built among the majestic Roman ruins. The tour starts at the
Coliseum, once an impregnable Frangipane Fortress.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Cola di Rienzo Tour
Allthough little known today, this14th century boyish hero dreamed of reviving the glory
of the ancient Roman Republic, and of reforming medieval society of its many ills. Visit
Cola's birthplace in the Ghetto, the Portico di Ottavia, where his revolt started, the
Theatre of Marcellus, the stronghold of his powerful enemies, the Savellis, and then the
Capitol Hill, the scene of his triumph and the church of San Marcello al Corso, where the
dramatic and eventful life finally ended.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
RENAISSANCE & BAROQUE PERIOD
Raphael at the Farnesina Villa in Trastevere
(weekdays only)
After long years of restorations, visitors can again admire the frescoes painted at the
Villa della Farnesina by Raphael - then at the peak of his career - and by other
outstanding Renaissance artists. Pay a visit to the residence of 16th century banker
Agostino Chigi, nicknamed "il Magnifico", a good friend of artists, Popes and
beautiful courtesans, which he entertained in style in his suburban villa in Trastevere.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Story of a Roman woman: the tragedy of Beatrice Cenci
Re-trace the story of Beatrice Cenci, the tragic 16th century heroine of Shelley's
"The Cenci", and of a thousand other romances. Her real story, stripped from the
fiction and poetry, leads through the neighbourhood where she was born and lived.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Rome's Courtesans
Under Papal rule Rome's predominantly male and un-married population meant prostitution
was one of the main-stays of the local economy, actually funding public works, such as
15th century Ponte Sisto. Courtesans sometimes reached fame and riches, holding a refined
court and entertaining cardinals and literary figures in lavish style, writing music and
poetry. Their memory of Tullia, Imperia, and their sisters lives on in the area of Corso
Vittorio... and elsewhere.CLICK HERE TO
BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Caravaggio tour
A walk through characteristic areas that witnessed this painter's meteoric passage through
17th c Rome includes the churches of San Luigi dei Francesi and Sant'Agostino.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Baroque Piazzas in Rome
The Piazza is a typically Italian architectural setting. Explore some of the most
interesting ones, and learn more about them and the buildings that surround them.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Bernini
A walk linking the works of the artist who left a strong imprint on the city with his
imaginative, sometimes scandalous sculpture, his fountains and palaces built for the
powerful Barberini family.CLICK HERE TO
BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Bernini at St.Peter's
Follow the great architect impatiently striding through his meteoric career surrounded by
admiration, jealousy ...and greed. Witness his great creations in the St.Peters' and in
the surrounding area and learn the miriads of anecdotes connected to this great artist and
his patrons.CLICK HERE TO BOOK, or
return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
THE GRAND TOUR
The Caffé Greco and the Artists' Rome
The piazza di Spagna and its surroundings allow visitors glimpses into its glamorous past.
The houses of the poets, artists, painters and writers, the favourite cafés and hotels of
the Grand Tour are set against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful architectural
creations in Rome. Includes Piazza di Spagna and environs.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
Rome's Historical Hotels
Some of Rome's hotels are centuries old, others have become historical landmarks because
of the events they witnessed and their distinguished visitors: Royalty, actors, generals,
writers and musicians helped write the story of Rome and its visitors.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
The Protestant Cemetery
Open 8 am to 11.30 am Thurs. and Tues.
The ashes of Percy Bysshe Shelley and his friend Edward J. Trelawny, of Keats and his
friend Joseph Severn, and many other distinguished visitors to Rome rest in picturesque
surroundings in a small enclave of the Aurelian Walls, near the striking Pyramid of Caius
Cestius, just off Piazza di Porta San Paolo.CLICK
HERE TO BOOK, or return to TOP OF THE PAGE.
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