If you’ve read a little about me, you’ll know that I have a real interest in wine, from harvest to tasting and from red to white.
I would have to say the reason I am so passionate about wines is due to my family background. I am responsible for my parents’ vineyard and it’s been a family tradition for 50 years now. Here is an older photo of them picking grapes.
Here is what a grape-picking session in my vineyard looks like today.
Of course at the end of a hard days work you might find me with friends and family, enjoying a glass of wine around some of Rome’s most beautiful and renown vineyards.
By now you might be wondering what kind of delicious wine-related excursions I can take you on so without further ado, here is a little about the tour:
A wine tasting tour that takes you from the eternal city to the treasures of Italy’s oldest and most distinguished vineyards.Why not take a day-break from the city and discover Rome’s essence from the hilltops of the renown Castelli Romani, “Roman Castles” as you experience history over a glass of fragrance-rich red or white wine with me?You’ll find transport, tour and tasting all organized into a comfortable, full-packaged exploration of the wonders of Roman wine making.Join me on one of my favorite excursions and together lets delve into:
The History of Wine
You will discover the fundamental role that Imperial Rome played in the history of wine culture and how one of the most popular beverages in the world went from a status symbol of the nobles to a pleasure enjoyed by all. Of course, you will also be made familiar with each vineyards’ own background and techniques.
How Wine is Made
From harvest to bottle. Learn the intricate and refined processes of how some of the worldsfinest wines are produced. You will be guided from the choice of grapes through to the harvest and into fermentation. From advanced technologies such as temperature-controlled steel tanks to the antiquity and uniqueness of the french oak barrel, you will discover how each and every wine is given the aromas and fragrances it is so applauded for. No aspect will be left undisclosed and you will leave the famous vineyards having something impressive to say over your next glass of Frascati wine.
Wine Tasting
After you’ve been given an all-round tour of the vineyard, the wine cellar and its barrel room, you will be lead into the show room where you will be offered wines coming from a variety of local grapes ranging from the Malvasia del Lazio, Bellone, Trebbiano giallo, Bombino to the Grechetto as well as foreign grapes such as Viognier, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot.Savor your glass of red or white (or both;) with a side of oven-tarallini, Lariano bread and a variety of farm-made cold cuts and cheeses over a panoramic view of Rome.
Are you looking for an authentic encounter with Italian culture? We all know food and history are inseparable in Italy, which is why you’ve probably already been to an Italian restaurant, perhaps even in Italy. You might even think you now know a thing or two about Italian culture, and let me tell you: you’re well on your way…
but you’ve only just touched the surface.
You see, it’s one thing to take a tour of Rome’s most impressive monuments and make a pit-stop in a restaurant for lunch but it’s another to spend time with Italians in their homes, at the dining table, eating home-made dishes. You simply can’t have the full Roman experience without getting to know the locals over a plate of their own pasta.
So I thought to myself…
“Why not have visitors in Rome meet up with a friendly local family who can give them an insight into the most important and timeless aspect of Italian culture, all while uncovering some of the best-kept secrets of the most lovely cuisine in the world?”
You’ll be surprised to discover just how easy it can be to cook a delicious and healthy meal with seasonal products.
Which brings me to the tour I’ve organised for you…
How about having dinner (and a laid-back cooking class simultaneously) with a real Italian family just like the ones we usually have amongst ourselves?
My friends Barbara, Luca and their son would be more than glad to have you over for dinner. Not only do they love cooking, but they cultivate their own, high quality ingredients. They will show you just how intertwined history and food are.
Barbara has been baking homemade bread for years using her sourdough and flour made from ancient Italian grains. She is also a wine expert. Her husband Luca is an airline pilot within Italy and always comes back home with typical products from the region he has just been to, therefore bringing all the goodness of the country’s cuisine into his own home. His pasta “carbonara” and “amatriciana” are really something special!
Barbara’s homemade bread
They travel a lot and this sparked their love for sharing our culture with others. Thanks to their openness, I am able to offer their hospitality as an added value to my clients! A truly sensory tour!
Barbara and Luca are also car collectors. They own two old-timers: a 1967 Fiat 500 and a 1969 Fiat Spider 124, just like the one driven by Vittorio Gassman in the famous movie “Il Sorpasso” (The Takeover). They would be more than happy to take us for a ride after dinner to conclude this very Italian day!
If you’re ready to act on your curiosity, just let me know and we can schedule a dinner at their house, perhaps after one of our tours. The table is set and we’re expecting you…
The south of Italy holds many popular and hidden gems that all deserve to be visited and experienced but we all know how difficult it is to carve out a decent chunk of time from our busy lives to relax and reconnect with ourselves.
This is why I have put together a southern Italy itinerary which:
Allows you to choose from various departure times every day, making it as flexible as possible for you
Is ideal for families and/or small groups
Provides a private and experienced tour guide for each part of this beautiful trip down south
Don’t feel like visiting all the places I suggest below? No problem, your tour can be fully customized to your specific needs and interests ahead of time.
4 days might not seem like many but it depends on your point of view. How we experience such a short holiday is what is most important and we will do our best to optimize and customize your schedule to get the most out of it and create a few unforgettable memories of your trip to Italy. It’s worth noting that I am from the area and the best part about a local guide is that you actually CAN get straight to the essence of a culture even in a short amount of time.
Using a car, we will explore the south of Italy and all its beautiful aspects: art, food, wine, traditions, culture and nature, all in just 4 days!
Day 1 – Pompei, Alberobello and a night visit to Lecce including a stay in the city’s most beautiful hotel
Our trip begins with a meeting by the entrance of Pompeii where a private local tour guide will give us an unforgettable walking tour of this UNESCO world heritage site.
We will stroll through the ancient city once buried by a blanked of ash and lapilli coming from the Vesuvio’s sudden eruption in 79 A.D. Pompei was only uncovered 1700 years later and almost as if by an enchantment, remained a crystallization,depicting the last moments of a typical day in the early imperial age.
As you walk through the city, you will hear how in 79 A.D, the Vesuvius erupted and killed 20,000 inhabitants of this Roman city with its lava on a summer’s day as if it were any other. Almost 2000 years later, the ruins of shops and the streets conserved by the lava leave us with a fascinating panorama of what a typical day in ancient Roman life looked like.
Admire the ancient walls of the city as well as its harbor and take a stroll through the ruins which have been petrified in time a long time ago to see the main sites.
Explore the center of Pompeii which is just as impressive as the Roman Forums and let yourself be enchanted by the stories of daily life as you walk along the roads, through the plazas and by the old shops and buildings.
Observe the blocks of stone covered in slurry that once served as stairs connecting the city and admire unforgettable monuments such as Apollo’s Temple, the “Macellum” Market and the public scales.
Visit the ruins of bakeries and typical stone markets of the era when food and drink was once kept in pots where people would have stopped by for a snack throughout their day.
See the molds of victims within the Forum of Pompei and visit other important ruins like the Baths (where residents would socialize whilst bathing) and the “Lupanare”, a brothel containing splendid frescoes that can still be seen today.
You will also visit one of Pompei’s theatres where the masses would gather to enjoy performances from bloody gladiator battles to games and spectacles.
After our trip to Pompei, we will stop for an aperitif and some lunch in local restaurants serving freshly caught fish of the day as well as meats, vegetables and fruits grown in the area.
On we go to Lecce…
Once in Salento, the city of Lecce is a must-see.
We are in the south folks, far down south. Let’s suppose you’ve decided to visit in the summer, some light luggage, a pair of comfortable sandals and a large hat to protect you from the sun are more than enough to visit this beautiful city.
We will be proceeding towards the center of the baroque city and let ourselves be wound up by its people and their welcoming spirits and hospitality which define it. You will be able to admire Lecce’s white limestone which was used to construct most of the structures we will be visiting. We will enjoy a stupendous view of the Roman amphitheater’s arena and at the same time be astounded by the scents of fresh bread, Lecce’s famous “pizzi” – Lecce’s garnished olive, onion or caper breads – and a cup of freshly ground coffee served in Lecce’s summer version: with a drop of almond milk and ice.
I’ve organized for you to stay in the city’s most beautiful hotel before continuing our trip to Gallipoli the following day.
Day 2 – Gallipoli, Otranto, Wine-Tasting, Olive Groves, the Beautiful and more…
Our sensory tour will take us from the tasting of wines and typical Salentine dishes to the discovery of rural architecture, calm waters and splendid white beaches.
Discovering the city of Gallipoli…
Gallipoli is a city on the ionic coast which shows clear signs of Greek roots and history. Our tour will take us through the picturesque fish market by the harbor to see fisher’s traps and filled nets and through the typical narrow alleyways of the historical center.
If there is one thing we must do here, it is to stop to have lunch in one of the many “trattorie” along the sea to enjoy a plate of “frutti di mare” cold seafood with a dash of lemon accompanied by a glass of ice-cold white wine from the area. If you are curious, we can sample a plate of sea urchins,oysters and a plate of various fried seafood to make for an unforgettable taste of the area.
Gallipoli was once a very wealthy city. In 1600, ship after ship would unload barrels of Salentine olive oil to even the northern-most European cities on a daily basis. This city was one of few producers and their oil’s quality was very high. So high, in fact, that it was listed in London’s stock market at the time. Nonetheless only very few rich families oversaw and profited from its production, while the majority of the population suffered at the hand of the wealthy. Most of these big families lived in huge buildings and had dug underground oil mills beneath them, where poor laborers were kept calm with camomille tea to have them work day and night just to keep this lucrative business going. Several of these buildings have been transformed into luxurious resorts but many of the oil mills remain preserved for us to see during our visit of the city.
Otranto
After a typical lunch in Gallipoli we will proceed to Otranto, the most eastern city of the entire Italian peninsula and one of the country’s jewels which is absolutely worth visiting.
Its narrow streets are aligned with retro-style boutiques displaying handicraft you can’t find anywhere else in the world. No one has ever left the city without first purchasing at least a pair of handmade leather sandals, a handbag, a crochet bikini or a typical doll made from local ceramic. At the city’s highest point we will have the possibility to visit the cathedral and its striking scenic interior: a beautiful and mysterious floor mosaic and the chapel containing the bones of the 800 martyrs from Otranto, killed by the invading Turks 500 years ago for refusing to deny their faith and convert to Islamism. To top it all off, Otranto is one of the cities in Puglia and all of Italy to have received the most recognition for its beauty, the cleanest seawater as well as for its services and accessibility to visitors.
“La Quercia Vallonea”
On the way back from Otranto you will discover that there is also world of monumental trees in Salento and among them are some very rare ones. While the region of Puglia is well-known for its olive trees, it is also home to an imposing natural beauty: the “Quercia Vallonea”, also known as “La Quercia dei 100 Cavalieri” (The Oak of the 100 cavaliers). At 19 meters height and 900 years of age this tree is one of the oldest and biggest of its kind. According to legend, it was big enough to shade Federico II and his 100 men from the scorching sun while in transit. On request we can gladly make a pit-stop to admire this one-of-a-kind tree as it is on the way to our next stay.
We will tuck in for the night at one of the old farms in the area which has been restructured into a welcoming residence. Here you will be able to savor the essence of the region through organic products accompanied by excellent wine produced in the area.
“Do you want to see the best that Rome has to offer but are short on time? Are you not sure what’s worth seeing or even where to start on such a tight schedule?”
What exactly is the best of Rome? For some it is taking photos at Salvi’s overly detailed Trevi Fountain we know from a series of timeless films while for others there is nothing like sitting on one of the 135 Spanish Steps on a warm Roman day, admiring the lively plaza with family and friends. Some even travel all the way to Rome just to take a peek through the Aventine Keyhole, neatly placing St. Peter’s Dome in the center of its view. There is really an abundance of monuments worth giving first place to and there isn’t always enough time to really know what’s worth seeing on such a tight schedule. Even some of the proudest Romans who have been living in this city their entire lives can’t truly say they’ve seen it all. If you’re not from here, it is hard to organize a successful full-day trip when you don’t know the city’s layout, nor the best order or the right time of day to see each monument. Luckily, I’ve come up with a solution for the needs of those who want to get the most out of their trip to Rome.
My Best of Rome Tour is perfect for:
Anyone on a tight schedule, especially those in Rome just for a weekend.
Anyone who wants to get the most out of their trip to Rome
Anyone with little time who isn’t sure what’s worth seeing.
The Tour…
In my opinion (but also by popular demand) the places you’ll most likely want to see are:
Trevi Fountain
The Spanish Steps
Piazza Navona
The “Vittoriano” with a breathtaking view of Rome, the Roman Forum and the Imperial Forum
The Aventine Keyhole and Terrace as well as Mascherone’s Fountain located there
Campo de Fiori Square
Ara Pacis
Remember this tour is about you and your best of Rome. It can be highly personalized to your liking and we will do our best to see any other monuments which are not on this list if you prefer.
Let me tell you a little more about “The Best of Rome”…
Trevi Fountain
The “Fontana di Trevi” – or Trevi Fountain in English -is a monumental fountain in Rome, built to exhibit the end of an acqueduct, spanning from outside the city to its centre. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and the most intricate of its kind in the world. Tradition says that if travellers about to depart the city throw a coin over their shoulder and into the fountain, they are blessed with a safe return to Rome. The fountain is famous worldwide but many people do not know the long history and secrets behind its construction. It is time to do justice to this extraordinary masterpiece of Italian art.
The place where the fountain stands today was once merely a simple outlet of a 21 km-long acqueduct constructed by Marcus Agrippa around 19 BC. The acqueduct was heavily damaged during the barbaric invasions in 537 AD and not much was done to the fountain until a millenium later. During the early renaissance, popes started decorating the ends of the acqueducts they had restored and created thousands of fountains all around the city but this one was very special. At first, Pope Nicholas V had Leon Battista built a new fountain. It’s earliest representation looked somewhat like this:
The fountain in 1453 after the recostruction by Pope Nicholas V
The fountain saw a lot of work over the next 200 years and then Pope Clemens XII held a contest for a new design in 1730. Many important architects participated; Luigi Vanvitelli, Pietro Bracci, Giambattista Maini, Edme Bouchardon, Lambert-Sigisbert (Adam the Elder), Ferdinando Fuga and Giambattista Contini but against all odds, it was Nicola Salvi who won the contest. While he wasn’t the last architect to work on it, today the fountain looks unquestionably different. See for yourselves.
The majestic Trevi Fountain today
Spanish Steps
In the 17th century the famous Trinitá dei Monti church which overlooks the Spanish Square was under French ownership. It was they who ordered the construction of a massive, elegant staircase to connect the church to the popular plaza beneath it. A design competition was held in 1717 and the staircase construction was entrusted to a rather unknown architect, Francesco de Sanctis.
While the steps were initially named after the Church and its plaza at the top of the staircase, they were renamed to match the lower and more popular Piazza di Spagna. The square itself was called the Spanish Square because the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See was located there. The reason why the piazza has become one of Rome’s most popular gathering places is no coincidence. Due to its beautiful and artistic surroundings, the area has always been highly appreciated by painters and poets. The French Academy – where some of France’s most talented artists, writers and musicians worked – was founded nearby in the 7th century. The artists’ presence attracted many beautiful women to the area, hoping to become chosen as an artist’s model. This in turn, attracted rich Romans and travelers, looking for a wife or a mistress. The many rich people in the area meant that many beggars soon found the place and quickly the steps became crowded with people from all kinds of backgrounds. The Spanish steps have been a traditional and very popular meeting point ever since.
While the steps are the main attraction on the site, visitors should also pay attention to the many beautiful buildings in the area. Another thing to take note of is the beautiful baroque fountain called “Fontana della Barcaccia” at the lower end of the stairs. Bernini’s fountain of a sinking ship was built to represent a folk legend. It is said that a fishing boat was carried away to this exact spot during the the Tiber´s flood in the late 16th century. Throughout history, the Spanish Steps have been restored several times. The square was already one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city during the Renaissance period and it still is to this very day.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of the most famous and arguably the most beautiful of Rome’s many squares. The large and lively piazza features no less than three magnificent fountains and the Baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone.
The reason for the square’s oval shape is that it was built on the former Stadium of Domitian, built by Emperor Domitian in 86 AD. The stadium once had a larger arena than the Colosseum and was mainly used for festivals and sporting events. In the 15th century the stadium was paved over to create “Piazza Navona” but remnants of Domitian’s stadium are still visible around the area. The main attraction is the trio of fountains that adorn the square. The central and largest fountain is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). It was constructed between 1647 and 1651 on request of pope Innocent X. The fountain’s design was first commissioned to Borromini but was ultimately handed to his rival Bernini.
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers)
The two other fountains on the piazza are the Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune fountain) and the Fontana del Moro (Moor fountain) on either ends of the square. The Fontana del Nettuno, also known as the Calderari, was built in 1576 by Giacomo della Porta. The statues of Neptune surrounded by sea nymphs were added in the nineteenth century. The Fontana del Moro was also built by Giacomo della Porta. The central statue of a Moor holding a dolphin, a design by Bernini, was added in the seventeenth century. The tritons are nineteenth-century additions.
Sant’Agnese in Agone’s church
Another highlight of Navona square is Sant’Agnese in Agone’s church. It was commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1652 and built on the site where according to legend St. Agnes was stripped naked but miraculously saved from disgrace by extraordinary growth of hair.
Street artists on Piazza Navona
Also known as the artists’ square, Piazza Navona today is a popular meeting point and a perfect place to take strolls though Rome’s center while admiring several artists’ work.
The “Vittoriano” and its terrace, allowing for a Breathtaking view of Rome and The Roman Forum
Inspiring and overwhelming, for any Roman the Vittoriano is both a symbol of the nation’s pride yet controversially also an “out-of-place” and invasive monument on piazza Venezia, and for good reason. It was built between 1885 and 1911 to celebrate the unification of Italy as a nation and dedicated to the first King of the nation, Vittorio Emanuele II. While in itself the building is a massive statesmanlike construction surrounded and furnished with statues and fountains from all over the country, its sheer size and grandeur actually overshadow some of the more ancient wonders nearby such as the Roman and Imperial Forums.
The “Vittoriano” and the neighbouring Forum
Its taint on the ancient city doesn’t end there, especially when considering the ruins and medieval churches that had been destroyed to grant its construction. Not to mention it’s bright and unspoiled color, which clashes with those of older buildings one is used to seeing in Rome. So much in fact, that the impeccably polished white marble used to build it has earned it the nickname “Wedding Cake”. But there is a lot more to the “Vittoriano” than meets the eye.
The building from afar. Impressive, yet out of context. As the Romans called it a “Wedding Cake” protruding into the skyline.
Even though the Vittoriano’s imperial twentieth-century style may seem intrusive on Rome’s ancient flair, its tall terraces actually add a whole new experience for visitors. Even if you feel no such patriotic awe or affection, the Vittoriano’s terraces offer a look into the nearby Roman and Imperial Forums it overshadows, allowing us to admire their constructions in totality. The up-most level, reachable thanks to an elevator, provides the best view over Rome from between two crowning statuary groups.
Needless to say the features of this monument contribute to its patriotic image. Guarded by soldiers, a flame burns on the front terrace of the monument to mark the grave of an unknown soldier; this is the Altar of the Fatherland, the Altare della Patria. The massive gilt bronze equestrian statue is of Vittorio Emanuele II, king of Sardinia anf first king of Italy. The other statues and decorations ornamenting the monument all have allegorical significance: the statues around the base of the equestrian statue represent fourteen historically-important Italian cities; The two quadrigae on top symbolise Liberty and Unity.
The “Altare della Patria from up close
Aside from its impressive exterior, the building also graces us with its lavish halls on the inside, hosting a series of exhibition rooms and most importantly, the “Museo del Risorgimento”, dedicated to the unification of Italy.
The impressive monument by night
Majestic or pretentious? Breathtaking or overwhelming? That is for viewers of the monument to decide. One thing is for sure: The Vittoriano makes up for its nosy imposition on Rome with an endless series of majestic features, making it well worth a visit to decide for oneself.
The Aventine Keyhole
Peek through this keyhole on a piazza designed by Piranesi in 1765, and you will see a garden path that ends with bushes perfectly placing St. Peter’s dome in the center of its view.
The Aventine Keyhole peeking directly onto the dome of St.Peter’s Basilica
What you are peering though are the gardens of the Villa del Priorato di Malta, one of the Roman properties belonging to the famous Knights of Malta. This is one of the last surviving orders of knights left over from the Crusades. The knights left their late medieval home on the island of Malta long ago and their headquarters are now here in Rome. This Aventine villa is actually home to the Order’s ambassadors to Italy and the Holy See. The Italian state recognizes the sovereignty of this ancient Military Order, which means there are actually three nations and three national capitals contained within Rome: Italy, the Vatican, and the Knights of Malta.
Campo de’ Fiori Square
The square’s name can be directly translated as “field of flowers”, as it once was in fact nothing but an unused meadow between Pompei’s theatre and the Tiber River. The area remained undeveloped for many centuries as the neighbouring river was prone to flooding Santa Brigada Church was constructed there in the 15th century, marking the beggining of the square’s development. After the Orsini palace and the “Palazzo della Cancelleria” were erected there as well, the city finally had reason to pave the area and officially call it a square.
Campo de Fiori’s market in the early morning[/caption]
For centuries, criminals and so-called heretics were publicly tortured and executed at Campo de’ Fiori. Giordano Bruno was one of the more well-known figures executed on this square. He was executed by the Roman Inquisition because the ideas he spoke of were “dangerous”. The Dominican friar was one of the first to realize that stars are actually suns in the universe. In 1887, sculptor and freemason Ettore Ferrari designed a statue of Bruno. It was placed in the piazza, facing the Vatican as if to defy all it stands for. Bruno is now considered an advocate of the right to free speech.
The Square by night and Giordano Bruno, standing in defiance of the Vatican[/caption]
Like for many other public areas in Rome, the architecture at Campo de’ Fiori was never validated and therefore explains for the discontinuity in the style of buildings surrounding the square. However, the square’s many colors and facets contribute to its liveliness, making it an intriguing experience by day and night.
Some of the market’s fresh products
In the mornings, it hosts a daily vegetable and fruit market. By night, the orange-lit square comes to life again as its many surrounding restaurants and bars make it an appealing location for dinner and drinks.
Ara Pacis
The altar was originally named Ara Pacis Augustae after Emperor Augustus but is often just referred to as “Ara Pacis“. The altar was commissioned by Augustus in 9 BC as the Altar of Majestic Peace to celebrate his victories in Gaul and Hispania (now France and Spain). More importantly, it is a celebration of the establishment of peace in the Roman Empire, achieved as a result of the “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace) period from 27 BC to 180 AD. In its time, it was considered one of the most important monuments in Rome.
The Ara Pacis is now held within the Ara Pacis Museum
The altar is located in what was once known as Campus Martius, an area in the flood plain of the Tiber river. It was strategically placed so that the shadow of the obelisk on Campus Martius (now Piazza di Montecitorio) would fall on the Ara Pacis on the birthday of Emperor Augustus.
The center female figure meant to be Mother-nature at or even “Peace” surrounded by her benefits, the children and the fruits of the earth.[/caption]
The Ara Pacis was sculpted from white marble. The scenes found on the altar depict traditional Roman piety. The emperor and his family are prominently represented on the altar’s sculptures. There are also several figures of priests and other individuals wearing laurel crowns of victory. The actual altar table, decorated with sculptures of winged lions used to be inside the Ara Pacis.
This sculpture engraved into the Ara Pacis shows a procession of priests. When a Roman was acting as a priest he would pull the folds of the toga over his head.
The most notable fact about the figures is that they are a classic example of Roman sculpture. Unlike Greek sculpture, the figures actually resemble real individuals and are not idealized.
“Join me on a 360° Tour of the Vatican: The Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and a special visit to the Vatican’s Mosaic Studio with skip-the-line access.”
A Little about the Vatican…
Ratified in 1929 as a sovereign State, the 108 acres of ground within the Vatican City walls house St. Peter’s Basilica (the largest Christian church in the world as well as an architectural achievement of the Renaissance and Baroque period).
This modern-day home of the popes is the smallest independent nation state in the world in terms of area and population. It is the territorial seat of the Holy See, the institutional entity represented by the Pope, and hence the principal ecclesiastical seat of the Catholic Church of both East and West.
Since it is governed by the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, its government can be described as ecclesiastical and the highest state functionaries are in fact clerics.
The Tour…
Join me and let us admire the awe-inspiring Vatican City and its Museums. Let us go into the magnificent Sistine Chapel while looking up at its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo and take a stroll through its immaculately cured gardens.
I’ll also be showing you…
The Pio-Clementine Museum. A museum full of the most important Greek and Roman masterpieces, collected under the ordinance of Popes Clement XIV (1769-1774) and Pius VI (1775-1799).
The Gallery of the Candelabras built in 1761 and painted in 1883-1887. This gallery is rich in 2nd-3rd century BC art, containing Roman copies of Hellenistic originals as well as some great 2nd century candelabras.
The Gallery of Tapestries,
containing Flemish tapestries designed by Raphael and realized in Brussels by Pieter van Aelst’s Workshop. They were brought to the Sistine Chapel in 1531 and exhibited in this gallery in 1838.
The Gallery of Geographical Maps, painted between 1580 and 1585. This gallery holds maps of all the Italian regions and the papal properties at the time of Pope Gregory XIII (1572-1585).
and, of course, Saint Peter’s Basilica…
Thanks to Peter, the first apostle, pope and leader of the Church, the most important basilica of the Christian world now stands in the Vatican City. Peter was given his name by Jesus because he was destined to be the foundation “stone” (in Italian “Pietra”) on which the church would be built. Here you will enjoy a convenient skip-the-line access to avoid the typically long waiting hours.
Your tour ends with a fully guided visit to the Vatican’s Mosaic Studio,
home of the ancient Vatican School of Mosaics. The school was originally established here to decorate Saint Peter’s Basilica’s interiors with mosaics
but today the Studio has two main responsibilities: the conservation and restoration inside the Basilica (10.00 square meters of decoration) and the creation of mosaics which are then given by the Pope himself to other Heads of State (such as the president of the US) during special meetings, or sold to the public (private collectors)..
I’ll be with you all the way, providing you with Information on the cultural heritage and art of this once-in-a-lifetime itinerary.
**I’d like to remind you that a visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica is made in accordance with the liturgical customs of the Holy Father or other events of the Holy and/or of the Vatican City State. In short: Access to the Vatican City is permitted only to visitors dressed appropriately (no sleeveless blouses, miniskirts, shorts, or hats allowed). While visiting the insides of the Vatican Museums, big umbrellas and backpacks are not allowed either.
If you’re ready to book your tour or simply need more information then feel free to contact me or leave a comment below.
“Join me on a tour of one of the most ancient cities in Europe…”
If you are interested in a tour and don’t quite know where to start, there is nothing to worry about. I will help you organise a trip which aligns perfectly with your needs and preferences. If you would like to know more about the over 2000-year-old sites that used to make up this grand, ancient capital of the Roman Empire, then feel free to contact me or leave a comment below and I’ll answer any of your questions as soon as possible.
“The tour…”
When one says they’ve taken a trip to “Ancient Rome”,the person means to say they’ve been to a series of monuments and sites that have stood for over 2000 years and paint us a picture of the former capital of the world, describing how it once functioned, developed and how it affected the modern world we know today with fundamental infrastructures, political ideals and much more. Therefore, there are numerous places to see and ways for you to learn more about the grand metropolis in its golden era.
However, as time is of the essence and visitors are typically interested in the sites mentioned hereafter, a typical tour with me will include a visit to:
The Colosseum
The Roman Forum
The Pantheon
Campidoglio Square
This tour will give you a general idea of the city and leave you satisfied but depending on your preferences and the time at your disposal, there are quite a few other places worth visiting. If you would like to get a more complete picture of the ancient capital we can also take a trip to:
The Catacombs
Caracalla’s Baths
Appia Antica (where you will also see Cecilia Metella and Romolo’s Mausoleum)
San Clemente’s Basilica
Castel Sant’Angelo
Costanza’s Mausoleum
And the list goes on…
“That sounds like a lot of places… Will we be able to visit everything?”
Even in winter, there is nothing quite like taking a nice stroll through the ancient city on a typically sunlit day. However, please keep in mind that as monumental as it may be, Rome is also a large city and therefore commuting from one place to the next in a timely and relaxed fashion may not be possible, especially if you intend to visit all the sites I’ve mentioned above within a single day. So depending on whether you are interested in a half or full day tour, we may be able to see more or fewer sites.
If you would like to get the most out of our time together, I will gladly provide us with a personal driver and guarantee that you will see far more than you would be able to on foot. You will also enjoy comfortable transfers from one location to the next, leaving you more energized and attentive to take in each and every part of this breathtaking tour at your own pace.
Located just east of the Roman Forum, this massive stone amphitheatre known as the Colosseum was built around 70-72 AD under the order of Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty. The emperor had it commissioned as a gift to the Roman people and in 80 AD, Vespasian’s son, Titus, launched the opening of the Colosseum giving it its official name, the Flavian Amphitheater. Rome celebrated with 100 days of games, consisting of gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights. After four centuries of ceaseless use, the magnificent arena fell into neglect. Up until the 18th century it was turned to as a source for building materials, explaining why a lot of it is missing today. However, even though two-thirds of the original Colosseum have been destroyed over time, the amphitheatre remains a popular tourist destination, as well as an iconic symbol of Rome and its long, tumultuous history.
THE ROMAN FORUM
The Roman Forum was not just the core of an ancient city; for many it was the centre of the universe. From the birth of the empire under Augustus in 31 BC, to nearly 500 years thereafter, Rome ruled most of what we call the civilised world. From south to north and east to west, the Roman Empire was in control.
From here they controlled the known world by setting in place legal and military systems, and giving us the word ‘forum’ which came to be known as a place of debate, discussion and decision. Julius Caesar moved his residence there in 45 BC as an arrogant demonstration of his absolute power and one that would lead to his downfall along with that of Rome. The remains of the grand Roman Forum can still be seen today, along with the socio-political teachings it has contributed to our modern world.
THE PANTHEON
The Pantheon is one of the most preserved buildings of ancient Rome. It was a temple dedicated to all the gods of pagan Rome. The brick stamps on the side of the building read that it was built and dedicated between 118 and 125 AD. It was the emperor Hadrian who had the pantheon built to replace Commander Marcus Agrippa’s original temple which burned to the ground in 80 AD. In fact, the inscription at the front of the Pantheon still reads the original dedication by Marcus Agrippa: “M. AGRIPPA.L.F.COSTERTIUM.FECIT” , meaning “Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius, consul for the third time, made this (building)”. This led to confusion as to who had the Pantheon built as it stands today but now we know it was of Hadrian’s making. The triangular section above the inscription is blank today but there would have been a sculpture that acted out the battle of the titans. The great bronze doors guarding the entrance would have been covered in gold as well but it has long since disappeared. Nonetheless, it remains highly preserved and only exists in such upright form today because the Byzantine emperor, Phocas, gave it to Pope Boniface IV in 608 AD to be used as a church. The Pantheon has been in use since the time it was built.
Campidoglio, or Capitoline Hill, is one of the seven hills Rome was founded upon and has been fundamental to the city’s government for more than 2,000 years. Michelangelo was asked to give the ancient site a new look in 1538 because it had been used as headquarters for the Roman guilds during the Middle Ages and required a major reconstruction. The artist began his work on the main square, reshaping it as an oval to create symmetry and then added a third structure, the Palazzo Nuovo. He also re-sculpted the base of the 2nd century A.D. statue of Marcus Aurelius (which has since been transferred into the Capitoline Museums nearby). Although the piazza wasn’t finished by the time Michelangelo passed away, it was completed in various stages throughout the next 100 years by using his designs. In 1940, Benito Mussolini had the final element of Michelangelo’s plans installed; a brilliant star-burst pattern in the pavement.
THE CATACOMBS
If you are interested in seeing catacombs (ancient underground burial grounds), then come to Rome, home to some of the oldest and longest cemetery tunnels in the world. Hundreds of kilometres of catacombs run underneath the town and its outskirts. Some of the networks are well known and open to visitors, while others have only been scarcely explored. There are probably still a lot of catacombs to be discovered. The oldest tunnels date back to the 1st century. The Jewish community in Rome had built them as cemeteries before they turned into Christian catacombs about a century later. Unlike many historians’ opinions in the past, these catacombs were not secret meeting places to survive persecutions but rather burial tunnels, like the Jewish ones. They used to grow larger and larger around the tombs of saints because people asked to be buried near their religious leaders, therefore making up for their size.
CARACALLA’S BATHS
Not far from the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum, at the foot of the Aventine Hill, are the Baths of Caracalla, one of the largest and most fascinating monumental buildings of ancient Rome. The baths (“terme” in Italian, meaning “hot springs”) were a public bathing facility and one of the main forms of entertainment in Rome. However, the baths weren’t only for bathing, sports and personal hygiene but were also places to meet, stroll and study. As the name suggests, it was Emperor Caracalla who had them built in the 3rd century AD, locating them in the southern part of the city. To bring water to the enormous construction, he had a special branch built off an aqueduct. The huge project was completed in only 5 years thanks to the sophisticated technology of their time and unfortunately, hundreds of slaves. The Latin author Polemius Silvius called the baths of Caracalla one of the seven wonders of Rome. They could hold up to 1600 people and the structures that survive today are still extraordinary, even though the fundamental element, water, no longer flows within them.
Appia Antica (Including Cecilia Metella and Romolo’s Mausoleum)
The Appian Way or “Via Appia Antica” is one of the most famous ancient roads in the world. Built in 312 B.C. by Appius Claudius Caecus, it went on for 350 miles (563km). It stretched from the Roman Forum, right in the heart of Rome, to modern day Brindisi. It was made up mostly of large stones and cemented with a softer gravel. The Appian Way was a crucial route for Rome as it allowed trade and access to the east, specifically Greece. It might be most famous for its role in the slave revolt lead by Spartacus in 73 B.C. After the Roman army subdued the insurrection, they crucified more than 6000 slaves and lined the Appian Way for 130 miles with their bodies. The Appian Way is still visible today and many significant tombs and architectural sights line its borders. Amongst the most impressive tombs are those of Cecilia Metella and Romolo, one of the two founding brothers of Rome. The Appian Way is so rich in history and significance and is an invaluable experience. It is said to be the road on which Peter had his vision of Christ and headed back to the city of Rome to be persecuted.
Saint Clement’s Basilica or “San Clemente” provides an opportunity to travel back through three layers of history. At street level, there is a 12th century church; underneath it lies a 4th century church; and below that are ancient Roman buildings, including a Temple of Mithraic worship (a sanctuary of worship to a Persian sun god) from the 2nd century BC. The “Mitreo” eventually became a “Domus ecclesia”, a clandestine Catholic sanctuary, as the practice of Catholicism was only legalized in 313 AD. This is where the first Christians secretly officiated their rites. When England outlawed Catholicism in Ireland in the late 17th century, Irish Dominican friars were offered to resettle in this basilica by Pope Urban VIII. It is thanks to them and a group of Italian students that almost all areas and layers of the church can now be visited as they oversaw excavations which began in 1857 and lasted well into the 20th century. Today’s basilica is still home to Irish Dominicans and is beautifully decorated with 12th-century mosaics, but what makes it especially worthy of a visit are the unexpected surprises lying underneath it.
CASTEL SANT’ANGELO
Known as a once powerful guardian of the most sacred place in the city, Castel Sant’Angelo has towered over the Tiber for almost 2000 years. It was first seen as a symbol of Rome’s imperial power and later became a papal fortress but today it is a museum. The stones that form this once tallest building in Rome tell a story of stratification, transformation and fascinating events that have occurred over the centuries. It was built in 123 AD by Emperor Hadrian as a monumental tomb for himself and his family. The land on which it was built had been used for burial purposes since ancient times and its strategic location next to the river made it a favourable setting. It was connected to land by a bridge named “Aelius”, one of the names given to the emperor. Hadrian died before the construction was finished and left it to emperor Antoninus Pius to complete it and eventually use it as a tomb for his own family and son, emperor Caracalla.
The monument consisted of three blocks on top of each other and must have been an monumental sight. On its highest peak there was a statue of Hadrian, dressed as the sun god, driving a bronze, four-horse chariot. In the Middle Ages, its function was completely altered as the enormous mausoleum was turned into a fortress and modified many times over the next ten centuries. At the time it was common practise to integrate Roman monuments into parts of the city’s walls as to reinforce certain portions or even use them as military outposts. It was no surprise that Emperor Aurelian made it part of the new system of walls and towers around the city in 271 AD.
Costanza’s Mausoleum
Costanza’s Mausoleum, which only became an official church in the 13th century, is home to some of the earliest Christian art in the world. It is believed that the mausoleum was built for Costanza by her father, Emperor Constantine, shortly after he had legalized Christianity. However, in reality it was more likely to have been built for her younger sister Helena, while Costanza’s body was only transferred there to lie with her afterwards. Aside from its undoubtedly important royal history, the mausoleum’s ancient mosaics illustrate an interesting shift from pagan to Christian art, depicting how heavily the early Christians were still leaning on pagan traditions. The mosaic scenes of grape harvesting and the details of peacocks, amphorae, and vines all had their roots in pagan art. This was mostly due to Constantine’s policy in adapting pagan traditions to the new, Christian ideas which was a fitting symbol of the empire’s politics at the time.
I hope these general descriptions give you a good idea of how much there really is to see here in Rome! If you’re ready to plan your trip and discover more about Ancient Rome then contact me or leave a comment below and I’ll answer any of your questions as soon as possible.
If you’ve read a little about me, you’ll know that I have a real interest in wine, from harvest to tasting and from red to white.
A wine tasting tour that takes you from the eternal city to the treasures of Italy’s oldest and most distinguished vineyards.
Why not take a day-break from the city and discover Rome’s essence from the hilltops of the renown Castelli Romani, “Roman Castles” as you experience history over a glass of fragrance-rich red or white wine with me?
You’ll find transport, tour and tasting all organized into a comfortable, full-packaged exploration of the wonders of Roman wine making.
Join me on one of my favorite excursions and together lets delve into:
The History of Wine
How Wine is Made
Wine Tasting
Savor your glass of red or white (or both;) with a side of oven-tarallini, Lariano bread and a variety of farm-made cold cuts and cheeses over a panoramic view of Rome.
