Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

A Long Weekend in Rome

Rome

Starting from between £860 to £1300 per person for 4 days depending on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

Itinerary Highlights

  • Step back to ancient times with a private tour of the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Colosseum
  • Experience an insider’s guide to Rome during a city tour with a local
  • Visit Villa Medici, one of Rome’s most beautiful villas
  • Follow in the footsteps of emperors and Roman elites with a day trip to Tivoli
We’re sure you don’t need much convincing to hop on a plane and visit Rome, an iconic city full of ancient monuments, romantic streets and spectacular food. This weekend break gives you just the right amount of time to experience it your way.

An early flight out means more of your first day can be spent sightseeing, so get set to see some of the city’s ancient highlights: the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Imperial Palaces, the Capitoline Museums and, of course, the iconic and imposing Colosseum. Because the Italian capital is so celebrated, it can be tricky to navigate your way through the tourist traps to access the city’s more authentic side. That’s why on your second day, we’ve arranged a relaxed tour of the city with a local who’ll show you Rome from a new perspective, whether that’s sampling traditional sweet treats or exploring a flower and vegetable market, before a private tour of Villa Medici, one of Rome’s most beautiful residences. Your long weekend draws to a close with a day trip to Tivoli, an oasis away from the bustling capital which was once the summer retreat of the Roman elite – so you’re certainly in good company here.
Piazza Navona - Rome - Italy © Iakov Kalinin/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Piazza Navona - Rome - Italy © Iakov Kalinin/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Rome - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Rome - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Rome - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Rome - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Rome - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Rome - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Rome - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Rome - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
La Ménagère - Florence - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
La Ménagère - Florence - Italy © Faustine Poidevin
Italy © flowerz / Fotolia.com
Italy © flowerz / Fotolia.com
Villa Médicis - Rome - Italy © J.Paul Guilloteau/EXPRESS-REA
Villa Médicis - Rome - Italy © J.Paul Guilloteau/EXPRESS-REA

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Board an early two-and-a-half-hour flight to Rome to make the most of your long weekend. After a private transfer to your hotel to drop your bags, it’s time to explore.

Step into the storied streets, where 1,200 years of ancient Roman history await. Accompanied by a private guide, visit the open-air ruins of the Roman Forum, once the centre of public life, and Palatine Hill, birthplace of the city and site of the Imperial Palaces. No tour of Rome would be complete without visiting the Colosseum – the largest amphitheatre ever built and a spectacular symbol of the city’s imperial past.

Next, tour the Capitoline Museums (the world’s oldest) with a private guide, discovering magnificent collections of ancient art and sculpture, including Lupa Capitolina, which depicts the mythical she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Ready for a break? Countless trattoria, gelaterie and osterie are yours to choose from (our local Concierge can recommend their favourites).

Today, see the Eternal City through the eyes of a true Roman. Your local guide knows Rome like the back of their hand and can help you explore its authentic side. Why not begin with a maritozzi brioche bun and a coffee before continuing to the Campo de' Fiori flower market? When you’re feeling peckish again, stop for a pink grapefruit ice cream at a traditional gelateria before continuing to explore, whether that means going on a shopping spree, heading to a little-known spot for a view of the seven hills, or wandering around a concept gallery.

Also on today’s agenda is a visit to the Villa Medici, one of Rome’s most beautiful villas. Learn all about its history, cultural importance and architecture with the help of your knowledgeable guide. End the day with a delicious dinner – tuck into a steaming bowl of cacio e pepe or carbonara if you really want to live like a local.

Start your morning with a fresh cornetto (the Italian take on a French croissant) before a private transfer to Tivoli, which once served as a summer retreat for Rome’s wealthy citizens. Located around 20 miles from Rome, where the scenic Aniene River emerges from the Sabine Hills, this is another ancient city steeped in history. During your private tour, visit the city’s two UNESCO-listed villas. The imposingly grand Villa Adriana was built by Roman emperor Hadrian in the second century AD – its archaeological remains reveal it to be one of the most complex Roman villas ever built. Meanwhile, the 16th-century Villa d’Este is admired for its elegant Renaissance architecture and fountain-filled terraced garden.

After ticking off some of Tivoli’s other landmarks, like the ancient Temple of Vesta and the Romanesque-meets-Baroque cathedral, head back to the hustle and bustle of Rome for your final evening in this enchanting city.

Spend your last morning in Rome visiting more landmarks, or simply sipping a cappuccino in one of the city’s rustic cafés as you watch the locals go about their day.

After securing last-minute souvenirs, enjoy a final bowl of pasta before taking a private transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK, which lands two-and-a-half hours later.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

VISIT THE VATICAN MUSEUMS

There’s plenty in Vatican City that you might be familiar with – we're talking the Sistine Chapel, the Pinacoteca art gallery, the Raphael Rooms. But this city-state has even more culture to offer with its fascinating ethnological museum, the inspiring Collection of Contemporary Art, and the beautiful Gallery of Maps, to name just a few highlights. During a visit with a private guide, discover this wonderful world of museums, each one a testament to the dialogue that a long line of popes has maintained with the wider world.

Why visit Italy with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Italy

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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Estimated Price

Dependent on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

The prices shown here are merely a guide, as all of our trips are entirely tailor-made. Tailor-made travel involves multiple moving parts, and prices can vary hugely depending on the season of travel, the lead time before the proposed travel date (last minute deals are pretty much a myth), availability, your choice of accommodation and any additional activities you want to include. That means the only exact price will be the one we quote you, which we can adapt to suit your budget. The estimated starting cost for this trip is between £860 and £1,300 per person. The average starting price for this trip is £1,130 per person.

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