From Bernini’s magnificent Piazza San Pietro to Michelangelo’s Pietà and his breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, join us in discovering Rome! Our one-day tours include the Vatican Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Maps, The Gallery of Candelabras, the Raphael Rooms, and of course St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Ancient or Classical Rome, see and learn the history of the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps.

Our one-day walking tours of Rome have been specially designed to offer you the opportunity to visit the Eternal City’s best-loved monuments and immerse yourself in the unique history, food and culture.

As featured in Fall 2022 – Click here to read more!

Rome is vast, chaotic, unique and unspeakably beautiful. However, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by so much history and culture, and that’s why a personal guide is a must. Our Roman guides are experienced English-speaking experts on all that is Roman, and your day spent with them will reveal a wealth of fascinating information, helping you to absorb the city’s unique atmosphere.

Whether adding a tour to your Rome stay, a guide for your Cruise stop or daytrip, enjoy the city’s spectacular beauty, robust flavors, and romance.

The Vatican & Saint Peter’s Tour – 4 Hour Tour – No Waiting In Line

Meet your guide in the morning for an unforgettable visit to the Vatican City, and skip the lines at the door as your guide ushers you into centuries of art that attract visitors from all over the world.

Vatican City

The Vatican City is a sovereign city-state that is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, whose head of state and head of government is the Pope. It has officially existed since 1929 and comprises approximately 110 acres of land in Rome’s historic center. Between 800 and 1,000 people live here including clergy, officials and diplomats, and the Swiss Guard. Among other things, the trapezium shaped Vatican City houses St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Apostolic Library, the Papal Apartments, a college and numerous museums, along with a bank, the Vatican Radio and the barracks of the Swiss Guards. There are also well appointed gardens (complete with heliport) that can be visited via organised tours.

Sistine Chapel

Commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV in 1475, the Sistine Chapel was designed to be the Pope’s chapel. Though the original ceiling fresco was painted by Piero Matteo d’Amelia, Michelangelo was later called to repaint the ceiling, the request being to paint the Twelve Apostles and a few other details. While he was not particularly happy to comply (at least at first), Michelangelo went on to paint over 300 different figures in a glorious work of art depicting the Creation of the World and The Fall of Man, surrounded by figures from the Old and New Testaments with a technique that involved lying on his back on wooden scaffolding and painting upside down in cramped conditions for four years. Over 20 years later, he returned to the Sistine Chapel to paint The Last Judgment, a work of incredible beauty that he finished shortly before his death. The Sistine Chapel remains one of the most striking and memorable of all religious art and is a true showcase of the world’s finest artists.

St. Peter’s Basilica

Arguably the world’s most important holy site, the Basilica di San Pietro is the heart of the Roman Catholic faith and was, until recently, the largest church ever built. The original basilica was built over the tomb of San Pietro in the 4th century under orders from the Emperor Constantine, and in 1506, the building of the present structure commenced under Pope Julius II. Architects Bramante and Bernini and artist, Michelangelo (to name but a few), contributed to the project that was completed in 1626, 62 years after Michelangelo’s death.

Today, Saint Peter’s Basilica attracts both religious pilgrims and art lovers from all over the world. A visit to Saint Peter’s begins in Piazza San Pietro, designed by Bernini, with its obelisk, two beautiful fountains and its striking sweep of colonnades topped with 140 statues of saints. Inside, the spectacular dome of the basilica, designed by Michelangelo, pulls the visitor’s eye heavenwards, and creates an atmosphere of inimitable majesty. The Papal altar, a plain slab of marble, is to be found within Bernini’s magnificent Baldacchino, a canopy of gilded bronze supported on ornate spiral columns. All around the walls are ancient and beautiful mosaics, and near the entrance is Michelangelo’s unique marble sculpture depicting maternal grief: La Pietà that he completed when he was only 25.In every corner there is a reason to stop, study and breath in the incredible atmosphere, knowing that millions have done the same before you.

*For those who who want to continue on their own to the Cupola after the tour (and are willing and able to climb the stairs),for a priceless view over Piazza San Pietro and the Vatican City, the guide will instruct you how.  An additional museum entrance fee applies.

Ancient Rome: The Colosseum with Gelato Tasting~ 4 Hours

Emerge from the subway at the Colosseo stop and the majestic structure that stands before you will take your breath away. Meet your guide for a morning or afternoon tour featuring the ancient ruins of the Roman Empire. From Piazza Venezia and the Vittoriano, the monument dedicated to the first king of Italy, climb the stairs to Capitol Hill: the Campidoglio, one of seven historical hills of the city. From there, enjoy the bird’s eye view of the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient public life of the Roman Empire. What looks like a few tumbled columns and ruined walls to an average tourist, comes to life before you as your guide explains what once stood as government buildings, temples to the gods, market stalls and daily life during the Imperium Romanum.

After your stroll through the Forum, pass Constantine’s arch to arrive at the Colosseum. As you enter the Colosseum, learn about the advanced architecture of the amphitheater that was completed in 80 AD. 50,000 spectators looked on as gladiators hunted wild beasts, re-enacted sea battles and of course, fought each other to the death.

Classic Rome: Trevi Fountain & The Spanish Steps ~ 3 Hours

Your guide leads you on a morning or afternoon leisurely stroll through the Baroque part of the city. A wonder of ancient architecture, the Pantheon remains the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome almost 2000 years after it was built. Learn about the opening in the ceiling that allows sunlight (and rain) into the temple and its history from ancient times, to Medieval & Renaissance and present day buildings that were modeled after this marvelous structure. Learn the allegory of Bernini’s Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi in the center of Piazza Navona, turn the corner of a tiny alleyway to open up to the majestic Trevi Fountain (don’t forget to toss your coin), and pass the most important political palaces of the city. End at the famous Spanish steps, Piazza di Spagna, a meeting point for Romans and visitors alike. In the square is Bernini’s understated Barcaccia fountain, a memorial to the lonely boat that was once left stranded here after the Tiber River flooded the Piazza. Today, this neighborhood is home to the top Italian fashion designers who present their new collections to the world in the windows of Via Condotti.

Learn ancient and modern legends, as well as superstitions (do you throw your coin over your right or left shoulder?) and interesting facts. Private tours are geared to each person’s interests and family-friendly tours available, too.

Hidden Treasures Of Rome~ 3 Hours

This out of the ordinary tour takes you to discover the lesser-known treasures in a city where you could live all your life and can never see everything! Climb the Aventine hill with the panoramic view of Rome and from the front door of the secret garden of the Cavalieri Di Malta, peek through the keyhole for an unexpected surprise.

Visit early Christian churches with colorful Byzantine mosaics, learn about San Clemente’s Basilica with its three levels of history: the Renaissance basilica built on top of the early Medieval church, built on top of the ancient Roman temple.

2023 Dates: These one day walking tours are available throughout the year.  Rates are subject to increase on Italian Public Holidays – please contact us for details. Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange.  Call for updated rates. Airfare not included. Group transfers for any cooking tour or tours that include transfers, are for the group and are not private. Transfers before, after or to another destination outside of your cooking tour are not included in the program price. If you would like to add on a private transfer or transfers, let us know and we will send you pricing.