A Short Break in Rome: Ancient History & Mythical Museums

Today you will take a deep dive into Rome’s history. Along with your private guide, who knows the ins and outs of Rome as well as its hidden historical treasures, meander through the city’s age-old streets. With around 1,200 history-packed years, it would take a couple of years to truly discover the city’s ancient past, but on today’s walking tour you can make a pretty good start. Follow in the footsteps of emperors through the cobbled streets to the Roman Forum, up Palatine Hill (the sacred hill of Rome) and Imperial Palace, and finally find yourself at the Colosseum. Your guide will take you through gladiator history and tell stories of the mass entertainment that filled the Colosseum from brutal gladiatorial contests to dramatic public spectacles. Spend the rest of the day taking in the ancient city, visiting Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, or settle down in one of our Concierge-recommended restaurants for a languid afternoon of delicious Italian food and wine.

Discovering of one of the richest collections of artworks in the world with an expert guide is on today’s agenda. The Vatican Museums, once the residence of the Popes, are now home to some of the greatest masterpieces of the history of art since antiquity. Follow your guide through history, from ancient Roman statues to the works of the Renaissance masters. Your journey culminates with the Sistine Chapel. Here, before Michelangelo’s Last Judgement, you will experience the same awe felt by Pope Paul III in 1541, when the fresco was unveiled for the first time. Spend another afternoon at leisure, taking in the caramel-coloured architecture and history-splashed streets. Our Concierge can help you find a wonderfully authentic restaurant or cafe for some seriously special traditional food or a delicious cappuccino, before seeking out the trendiest rooftop bar to send off your final night in Rome, as you look out over the ancient city below.