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| The Spanish Steps |
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The Eternal City !
Proposed itinerary for Full day Tour in 8 Hours, visit
all sites as explained below , You can combine any site of your own choice . You may also select SOME of the sites explained below in case you want to
go for Half day tour in 4 hours. Visit the fascinating Vatican Museums that were founded in year 1503 when the newly
elected Pope, Julius II della Rovere placed a full-size statue of Apollo in his so-called church of St. Peter in Chains. Since
such time, many different works of art were added to the church, and in 1854 Pope John XXIII moved all comprising finds into
the Vatican Museums were they stand today. Discover the Gallery of Tapestries, a collection of tapestries of different fabrics
from the 16th and 17th centuries, Gallery of Maps, instituted by Gregory XIII and restored by Urban VIII, Gallery of the Candelabra,
created in 18th century which contains classical roman sculpture which dates from the 3rd century B.C. to the 3rd century
A.D., the spectacular room and lodge of Raphael, commissioned by Julius II and Leon X. Located within these museums is the Sistine Chapel built in the second half of
15th century and famous because of its beautiful frescoes, especially the ceiling and the Last Judgement painted between 1508
and 1512 by Michelangelo Buonarroti. Please note that Admission to the Vatican Museums includes entrance to the Sistine Chapel,
costs Euro 12. Exit the museums and enter inside the remarkable Vatican Square of St. Peter, with its ellipse
of encircling columns, that fronts the impressive St. Peter’s Basilica, traditionally believed to have
been erected over the spot where St. Peter was buried after his martyrdom in Rome around 64 CE. Remember that the Vatican
and St. Peter's require all visitors to have their shoulders and legs covered. Leaving the Vatican City and heading towards the Monument to Victor Emanuel II
(the first king of united Italy), called the “Wedding Cake”, located in Piazza Venezia and containing Italy's
tomb of the unknown warrior from the First World War. This monument, built from 1885-1911, is now the home to an historical
institute and museum. View the Roman Forum, Roman Markets and Julius Caesar’s Forum. Stop at Trevi,
throw three coins in the famous fountains to make three wishes, then driving onto Piazza di Spagna to walk along a number
of exclusive shopping streets, not to mention climbing the Spanish Steps. Take a stride through Piazza Navona a marvel of light and sculpture
with its three Baroque fountains by Bernini, a short walking distance from the Pantheon, a classic Roman
temple built by Agrippa in 27BC. Tour the vast Colosseum and imagine its prime day 2,000 years ago when there
were approximately 50,000 spectators, gladiators and animals packed into cages below the arena, that fight to the death. Explore
this well renowned structure being a symbol of Rome, today standing with original wall sections at their full height and exposed
sub-arena pens. Conclude with one of the most important commemorative monuments of antiquity, the highest and best preserved
arch of triumph in Rome, the Arch of Costantine, located in the valley of the Colosseum, which represents
victory over Maxentius in the battle at the Milvian Bridge in 312ad.
You may want..... Discover the Christian world within Rome, beginning at the most ancient and greatest Basilica dedicated
to the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the 5th of August, which is always the season of the greatest heat in Rome, snow fell by night
and covered part of the Esquiline hill, and on that same night, the Mother of God told John and his wife separately in dreams
that they should build a church on that place. When John told this to Pope Liberius, he went to the snow covered hill and
there marked out a site. Then the Basilica of St. Mary Major was built in 352 B.C. with the money given by
John and his wife, and was later restored by Sixtus III. Among its great treasures is a painting of the Madonna and Child
known as the Salus Populi Romani, and the Basilica is today the Protectress of the People of Rome.
If interested, you can...... Take a trip
to the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome, the mother of all churches in Rome and in
the world. Founded by the Emperor Constantine, during the time of Sylvester (314-335) it has been destroyed and rebuilt many
times. The current basilica dates from the 17th century and was the first official home of the Popes until 1307. Within the
Basilica are two gilded silver busts that contained what were once thought to be the heads of Saints Peter and Paul, a bronze
relief of the Last Supper, behind which is a wooden fragment thought to be the table used and the tomb of Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903).
Across the street from the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs.According to tradition these are
the same stairs that Jesus climbed during His Passion. You may also climb them on your knees and venerate these twenty-eight
stairs that touched the bleeding feet of Jesus.
Perhaps you like........
Proceeding along the Appian Way, the oldest and most famous Roman
road, a road no more interesting, archaeological, artistic and pastoral, in ancient Rome. It was opened in 312 BC by Appius
Claudius (from whence it gets its name) and was called "Queen of Roads" because of all the villas, temples and funeral
monuments that lined it. Those impressive ruins can still be seen today. Visit the Church of Domine Quo Vadis, built along the Appian Way, just outside of Rome, beyond St. Sebastian's gate. This
small church marks the place where the Risen Christ appeared to St. Peter as he was fleeing Rome during Nero's persecution
of Christians. The church's name is Latin for the question Peter asked of Christ: "Lord, where are you going?" (Domine,
quo vadis?).
Finally arriving at the
Catacombs of St. Callixtus, ancient cemeteries built here underground
opened in the early 3rd century, as the principal Christian cemetery in Rome. The catacombs stretch for nearly 12 miles. There
are five levels that reach a depth of about 65 feet. With almost half a million tombs and numerous paintings, sculptures and
epigraphs inside, these catacombs offer rare and invaluable information about the life and culture of the ancient Christians
buried here. On entering the catacombs you'll see the crypt of the nine popes with the original marble tablets of their tombs
still preserved. The catacombs were rediscovered by the archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi in the 19th century after
a basilica dedicated to Pope St Cornelius was built on the surface above the catacombs temporary loosing their presence.
Please note that : Your driving/guide, even though very knowledgeable and speaking perfect English is
not authorized to give tours inside museums, In case you like to include in your visit of Rome a guided tour of Museums, It
is recommended to hire a local tour guide, We can HELP (PLEASE ASK) to reserve in ADVANCE a licensed
Guide (the Guide is ONLY for your and your party) or you can try to find a last minute Guide (if available) at the ticket
office of each museum. Entrance tickets to the Colosseum cost Euro
12,00, to the Vatican Museum cost Euro 15,00 and to the Catacomb cost Euro 8,00
Please remember that: All visitors are required to have their shoulders and legs covered
when visiting religious monuments.
Please note that: all rates quoted include
vehicle and driver, highway tolls, car fuel and parkings
and exclude 13%
Driver's gratuity, lunch, entrance tickets and tour guides in sites or rental of audio guide machines.
Payments: Cash equivalent in Dollars, Euro, traveller cheque or personal
cheque, wire transfer to our US bank account. Note: ONLY in case of payment by credit card we
must add 16% for city tax and VAT.
Reservations of transports: Provide your credit card info as guarantee, as explained in our “General
terms and conditions” .
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