The Rome in a Nutshell tour is split into three parts. The day starts with an Ancient Rome Walking Tour, continues for a Vatican Tour and ends with a Tour of Monumental Rome.
For the Ancient Rome Walking Tour meet your guide outside the “Colosseo” metro/ underground station next to the fountain (which you will find on the right next to the newsagent green kiosk).
This part of the tour visits the following places:
• Ancient Forum: Walk around the remains of the imposing ancient buildings and get an insight into the life of Roman society, their beliefs, and their social and political life.
• Colosseum: Visit the imposing arena and relive the days of Ancient Rome. Learn about the inner workings of the Colosseum and the special effects and showmanship of the ferocious games played there.
• Palantine Hill: Enjoy an incredible view of Ancient Roman sites like the Imperial Palace, Circus Maximus, and the Ancient Forum.
After visiting these landmarks you will have around an hour of spare time before meeting your guide for the Vatican Tour.
The meeting point for the Vatican Tour is outside the entrance to the Vatican Museum. You will spend around 4 hours in the Vatican and enjoy an in-depth tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peters Church.
See one of the largest art collections in the world, spanning from Roman, Etruscan and Egyptian antiquities to contemporary art. Learn about the famous Popes of Rome, their love for art and their glamorous livestyle during one of the most enlightened periods in Italian history, the Renaissance.
A highlight of your time in the Vatican will be a visit to the Sistine Chapel located in the Apostolic Palace. It is the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican City. The chapel is famous for its architecture, and the frescos by the greatest Renaissance artists, including the legendary ceiling by Michelangelo.
After your Vatican tour you will have a brief amount of spare time before starting the last part of your tour – a minibus tour of Monumental Rome. you will see the following sites.
• Circus Maximus, where the famous chariot races, immortalized in the epic ‘Ben Hur’, took place.
• Gianicolo from where the city views are superb. There will be a photo stop here to admire the view of the Eternal City from one of its famous hills.
• Pantheon, dating from Roman times. One of Rome's most enduring monuments, it has survived almost entirely intact. The Pantheon can be seen as the embodiment of the highest Roman building technology and of its purest architectural taste.
• Trevi Fountain, the most famous fountain in the world, pause to admire this delightful baroque masterpiece. After listening to the history of this legendary fountain, you will make your way to the very popular Spanish Steps.
Your tour ends at the Spanish Steps. Bid goodbye to your guide and the rest of the group, and pause at one of the cafes' to take in the beauty of the Eternal City at sunset.