THE ETERNAL CITY

Get ready for a thrilling Roman adventure. From the passenger seats of a stylish Vespa sidecar you will enjoy the ride of a lifetime as you cruise along cobbled alleys, taking in glorious views of the Eternal City.

Rome can claim the highest concentration of scooters in Europe. Locals are totally in love with their buzzing motorini and, while you roam the capital’s hectic streets, the reason immediately becomes clear: they allow you to move with ease through traffic jams. Vespas, in particular, are one of the country’s most iconic brands. First created in 1946, Piaggio’s genial, ultra-practical, revolutionary invention has enjoyed increasing popularity ever since, becoming a symbol of the Italian way of life.

But the sidecar is something truly special. These vehicles are custom-made, a rarity, therefore difficult to find. Compared to 2-wheeled scooters they are more stable. Complete with seat belts for sidecar passengers, they also ensure a safe trip ideal for both adults and children aged 6+. Furthermore, unlike classic Vespas, sidecars can accommodate two guests (one on the back of the Vespa scooter and the other on the passenger seat of the sidecar), allowing you and your travel companion to sit close to each other and share the unforgettable moments of an exhilarating day in Rome.

After breakfast your Vespa sidecar driver will meet you outside your hotel and lead you on a fun ride through centuries of history. Hop aboard and hit the streets of Bella Roma! Travelling at a maximum speed of 40 kilometres per hour, your Vespa driver will whisk you smoothly along a carefully prepared route taking you past many of the centre’s picture postcard locations. Headsets will allow you to hear a live, detailed commentary from your driver. You’ll get to know the layout of the capital’s historic districts, roll by the archaeological monuments, see the squares and well known buildings, admire the obelisks and fountains, take in the views – all from the pillion and passenger seat of your modern Vespa sidecar. You will also have the opportunity to venture through neighbourhoods that you might have missed or never found time to explore on foot and lap up the most amazing panorama of Rome from the top of one of its highest hills. Along the way you’ll enjoy several stops to record your visit to the capital’s world-famous landmarks and build up your album of Roman memories.

After the ride your Vespa sidecar driver will drop you off at a restaurant where you may enjoy some free time for lunch. Your guide will join you in the early afternoon and together you will reach Rome’s favourite art gallery, known internationally as the “Queen of art collections”.

Villa Borghese was conceived as a showcase for Cardinal Scipione Borghese’s extraordinarily rich and wide-ranging collection. Volumes have been written about the artworks displayed here and the mastermind behind the impressive purchases. Nephew of the powerful Pope Paul V, from whom he received numerous honours and appointments, Cardinal Scipione Borghese invested his ever-increasing fortune in developing, extending and embellishing the family’s hunting grounds and transforming their suburban residence into a beautifully decorated villa. His passion, or better obsession, for art led him to play the part of patron of acclaimed and controversial artists such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Caravaggio. Through remarkable acquisitions, exquisite taste and an impeccable eye, Cardinal Scipione created one of the world’s most outstanding private art collections.

As you wander through the gallery’s halls, gazing up at the works of art, enjoy true tales and anecdotes about famous representatives of the Borghese family and the artists who contributed to the splendour of the collection. With the help of your guide you will learn to pick out the qualities and techniques of some of these masters, examine at close quarters the brushstrokes and fine detail that make up the compositions and discover the hidden meanings relating to their iconography. You will also discuss the relationship between art, power, politics and propaganda and understand how the display of artistic treasures was used as a means of affirming social prestige in the 17th century.

Who could resist the sinuous beauty of Bernini’s David as he prepares to strike Goliath or the astonishing virtuosity and elegance of his Apollo and Daphne, caught and held for all time in the very moment she turns into a tree? Works by Raphael, Perugino, Titian and many more will be admired as you amble through the various rooms. Not only Italian masters but Flemish painters such as Brueghel and Rubens are also present in this exquisite collection. The grace of Canova’s life-size Paolina reclining on the sofa, golden apple in her hand or the drama and vivid detail of Bassano’s Last Supper are among the lasting Roman memories you will take away with you.

After the tour your private chauffeur will drive you back to your hotel.

Admire some of the greatest works of art ever created on a private tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Follow your guide right to the core of the Christian world and uncover the fascinating history preserved within the walls of the Vatican City. You will gain an understanding of the origins and development of a remarkable 500-year-old collection, retrace the lives of the artists who worked at the papal court and reconstruct the context in which the Vatican’s masterpieces were produced. Your guide will enrich your exploration by recounting intriguing tales about the protagonists of what was once one of the West’s most influential seats of power – and is today the smallest independent state in the world.

The beginnings of this unrivalled collection date back to 1506 when art lover Pope Julius II first started arranging his acquisitions of classical sculptures in the Octagonal Courtyard. This extraordinary – though originally modest – assembly of works was enhanced and extended throughout the centuries by successive pontiffs and evolved into the 7-kilometre-long treasure trove you see today. The dazzling array of wonders on display includes artefacts from so many different eras, traditions and artistic styles ranging from Egyptian steles to Renaissance fresco paintings, from Etruscan bronzes to 16th century maps. Where else can you find the finest sculptures of antiquity, priceless tapestries, Michelangelo and Raphael’s supreme achievements, all hanging out in the same space? Your guide will lead you back down the centuries, along a carefully planned trail, through the museum’s corridors and halls – impossible to cover all 1,400 of them! – and introduce you to the masterpieces no visitor should miss.

While you weave your way through the Pinecone Courtyard, the Belvedere Courtyard, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Hall of Maps and the Tapestries Gallery you will pick up a sense of this encyclopaedic collection spanning thousands of years. No doubt you will be moved at the sight of the Laocoon – a poignant representation of the anguish and agony suffered by a doomed family – and inspired by the aesthetic perfection of the Apollo del Belvedere and Torso del Belvedere. Your guided encounter with these ancient statues will give you a better understanding of Greek and Roman art and the ways in which Renaissance masters were later influenced by their muscular anatomies and emotional intensity.

Among the unmissable highlights of your tour are also Raphael’s Rooms, four exquisitely decorated chambers once belonging to Pope Julius II’s private apartments. Find out why a young painter from Urbino was chosen for such a prestigious commission and enjoy an introduction to the refined iconography of the School of Athens, Raphael’s best-known fresco depicting antiquity’s most illustrious philosophers.

But what draws millions of visitors to the Vatican Museums every year is the spectacular Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo spent eight years of his life in this sacred room painting what would become the most renowned and iconic images in the whole of Western art. As you gaze up at the stunning frescoes of the Creation of Adam and inspect the intricate composition of the Last Judgement your guide will help you spot fascinating details and decipher the secret messages left here by the Renaissance master in the 16th century. An account of Michelangelo’s life, career and priceless legacy will allow you to gain a deeper appreciation of his unparalleled genius.

The final stop on your tour will lead you to St. Peter’s Basilica, located on the site of what is believed to be the burial place of the apostle and topped by one of the largest masonry domes ever built. Michelangelo’s moving Pietà, a universal icon of maternal tenderness and sorrow, and Bernini’s bronze baldachin cast a deep impression on all those who visit this magnificent church.

Walk out into St. Peters Square, this unique centre of power and glory, where the faithful have gathered for centuries to celebrate great Christian events and catch a glimpse of their Pope, embraced in the curve of its open arms.

After the tour return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Rewind the clock and relive the astonishing feats and glories of the Roman Empire on a private tour of the capital’s ancient wonders. Accompanied by your expert guide, you will travel down the centuries and find out how this small city-state – by dint of perfectly planned military campaigns, outstanding organisation and technological genius – conquered lands far and wide and spread its influence over vast swathes of the globe, rightfully gaining the title of Caput Mundi – Capital of the World.

Specially designed to provide guests with an understanding of ancient Roman history, society and culture, this tour encompasses the most significant archaeological monuments and sites. While you follow the carefully crafted itinerary, your guide will bring the ancient city back to life, conjuring up the epic figures who walked along its streets and the world-shaking events that originated on this very spot. Take a deep breath and what you’ve only read about in books now appears right before your eyes!

After breakfast your guide and chauffeur will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the first stop on your tour: the multi-level Basilica of San Clemente. Here dig deep beneath the ground into Rome’s hidden layers as you step back down the centuries through an astonishing historical pageant spanning the centuries. Indeed, crouching beneath the flurry of the modern day metropolis lies its silent, eerie underground twin city of ancient streets, crypts and domus. Also known as the lasagna church, San Clemente is undoubtedly the perfect place to take in the overlapping strata of Rome through the ages. The present-day 12th century basilica sits atop the remains of an earlier 4th century church, which in turn was built over a 3rd century pagan sanctuary dedicated to the god Mithras and a 2nd century Roman dwelling.

Next, reach the Colosseum, the best-known symbol of the mighty Roman Empire and most visited monument in the whole of Italy. This masterpiece of ancient engineering dating back to 72 AD is evidence of the Romans’ brilliant construction skills and provides an eloquent example of their ingenuity and innovation in the fields of technology, science and architecture, achievements which remained unequalled for centuries. The Colosseum staged an immensely popular calendar of gruesome shows including warrior fights, wild animal hunts, mock naval battles and executions. Roam through the ruins of stone walls and bleachers and imagine how a gladiator must have felt as he prepared for combat and awaited his destiny stirred by the cries and cheers of 60,000 impatient spectators echoing through the arena.

You will then climb Palatine Hill to see the legendary birthplace of Rome where Romulus and Remus are said to have been rescued and raised by the she-wolf. As you listen to stories and adventures of the capricious gods and goddesses of ancient Roman mythology, take in the amazing views of the Circus Maximus, another of ancient Rome’s spectacular entertainment venues. Here intrepid charioteers engaged in this deadly sport, risking their lives – and sometimes gaining glory – as they competed in thrilling but perilous races.

Your morning will end with a leisurely stroll along Via Sacra, the Roman forum’s main thoroughfare. Originally the social, commercial and political hub of the ancient city, the forum was a grandiose district of temples and vibrant public spaces where trials, business dealings and elections took place. What was once a busy centre of Roman city life is now still alive and pulsing with visitors eager to step back into history.

After the tour and free time for lunch your private chauffeur will drive you back to your hotel.

In the afternoon your chauffeur will pick you up at your hotel and accompany you to the Via Appia Antica where you will experience the thrill of cantering along the Regina Viarum – meaning Queen of Roads – just like the ancient Romans did – on horseback.

Located just ten kilometres from the Colosseum, the Ancient Appian Way offers visitors a breath of fresh air in the lush green area outside the centre as well as a unique opportunity to plunge into the capital’s centuries-old history. As the Latin expression goes Omnes viae Romam ducunt – meaning “all roads lead to Rome”. Have you ever wondered how this saying originated? This is where it all began. Running from Rome to the port of Brindisi, the Via Appia Antica was the earliest, widest and strategically most important road in the ancient Roman Republic. Flanked by extraordinary monuments, including mausoleums, ruins of patrician villas and traces of a thermal complex, today this 2,300-year-old cobblestone path continues to impress visitors and is known to be the best-preserved surviving Roman road.

Appropriate for horse riders with experience at any level, from beginners to seasoned cowboys, this activity is led by an expert instructor who can customise itineraries to suit different ages, needs and skills. The owner of the riding school has worked for twenty years in equestrian tourism and his family has lived on a property bordering the Ancient Appian Way for over a century, a guarantee of his in-depth knowledge of the area.

Enjoy the splendid views the Eternal City has to offer from the saddle. As you ride through history along the Ancient Appian Way, imagine chariots whizzing by and the Equites, the ancient Roman knights, galloping off to defend the borders of far-flung corners of the Empire. Just beyond the 5th milestone, you will come across the stunning archaeological remains of the Villa dei Quintili. Built by two wealthy brothers in the 2nd century AD, this prestigious ancient suburban residence was so spectacular that even Emperor Commodus, one of Rome’s most wicked rulers, was impressed by its grandiosity. Commodus grew so envious that he came up with a plan to claim the villa for himself. He charged the brothers with treason, had them sentenced to death and confiscated the property. As luck would have it, Commodus himself was killed ten years later in a conspiracy on this very spot. The imposing ruins of the villa’s thermal baths can still be admired and stand as a potent reminder: Covet all, lose all.

After the horseback ride return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Roll up your sleeves, tie your apron strings and season your Roman experience with a hands-on cooking lesson.

Gastronomy is a cornerstone of local culture but you may not know that the Italians’ obsession with food has very ancient roots dating back to Etruscan times and the Hellenistic era when Italy’s southern coastal areas were colonized by the Greeks. The etymology of typical Italian dishes is evidence of their ancient origins. The words lasagne, maccheroni and pizza derive from the ancient Greek terms làganon, makària and pektos. Surviving paintings and mosaics unearthed in Pompeii, depicting banquet scenes, bread, eggs, fish, fruit and vegetables show that ancient Romans were gourmands right to the soul. Epicureans might also be interested in knowing that fast foods are far from being a modern invention. Before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD Pompeii had already launched a chain of thermopolia offering ready-made refreshments that could be served and eaten quickly.

One of the earliest known cook books, dating back to the 4th century AD, contains recipes attributed to 1st century AD Roman star-chef Marcus Gavius Apicius. Apicius was a much gossiped-about celebrity who maintained relationships with the imperial family and is described in historical sources as a gluttonous spendthrift who squandered all his fortune on a luxurious lifestyle and colossal banquets which eventually led him to bankruptcy. Apicius went to great lengths to procure high-quality ingredients and had he been alive today it is likely he would have been Michelin-rated. According to a curious anecdote, he once sailed all the way to Libya in search of some prawns and not finding any to his satisfaction among those that were brought to his ship he returned home without even setting foot on shore.

With the assistance of your instructor you too will learn how to select the best ingredients – without fear of going bankrupt of course! You will meet her in Largo Argentina and begin your day with a visit to the outdoor food bazaar of Campo de’ Fiori, one of the city’s oldest markets which has been trading the choicest goods since 1869. Enjoy the sensations of the scene: hear noisy hawkers loudly proclaim the quality of their wares to encourage passing trade; admire stalls brimming with a tempting assortment of produce that will make your mouth water; feast your eyes on crisp green vegetables, juicy fruits, delicious cheeses, the freshest of fish; watch bargainers as they haggle for the best deal. Your teacher will show you how to select the seasonal ingredients needed for the cooking lesson, then head for the kitchen and listen as she shares her culinary secrets with you. You will discover regional recipes, try out infallible cooking techniques and pick up tricks you can use to impress your friends back home at the dinner table. After the cooking experience tuck into the meal you just prepared… Buon appetito!

In the early afternoon your chauffeur will drive you back to your hotel.

About twenty-five kilometres west of the capital lies a fascinating archaeological site. Travel back through time and relive the glories of the Roman Empire on a day trip to the Caput Mundi’s ancient seaport.

You will meet your private guide and driver outside your accommodation and set off for Ostia Antica, the second best-preserved ancient Roman city in Italy. Ostia’s ruins might not be as well known as the excavations in Pompeii – probably because of the latter’s tragic fate – but they are, nevertheless, simply amazing and can still speak volumes about how life was lived in Roman times. Ostia remained mostly untouched until the early 1900s and the excellent state of conservation of its buildings and mosaics allows visitors to gain insight into the daily bustle of this once busy harbour.

Ostia derives its name from the Latin word os or ostium, meaning mouth, which refers to the city’s location at the mouth of the River Tiber. Due to silting, today it is situated three kilometers further inland, within a peaceful, green setting that is sure to please visitors wishing to take a break from the rush of the city centre.

According to tradition Ostia was founded as a colony by Ancus Marcius, Rome’s fourth king, in the late 7th century BC, although some historians and archaeologists claim the very earliest settlement can be dated to the beginning of the 4th century BC. Ostia reached the peak of its splendour during the 2nd century AD when it served as Rome’s main port for goods, including grain, olive oil and wine, transported to and from far-flung corners of the Empire. Trade brought opulence and prosperity to the city as testified by the stunning remains you will see.

Your guide will lead you through the streets of this remarkable ancient settlement and explain how findings that emerged from the rubble have been pieced together to give us an accurate picture of this ancient port town. Although no longer intact we know multilevel homes once stood on this very spot. As the city flourished the population grew to 50,000 inhabitants, leading to an increased demand for lodging. Ancient citizens resolved issues of space by building taller structures. Today only the ground floors remain but to imagine that forerunners of modern skyscrapers were built here is simply astounding. Highlights of your tour include the amphitheatre, the forum, temples, thermal baths and even age-old public latrines! Can you believe that yesterday’s toilets have become an exciting treasure trove for archaeologists today? Your visit, enriched with anecdotes and curiosities about everyday life in Ostia, is sure to be a memorable experience.

After some free time for lunch return to your hotel in Rome and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

A memorable evening at one of the capital’s top-rated restaurants will be the perfect conclusion to your Roman holiday. Your chauffeur will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to a Michelin-star restaurant boasting fabulous views of the Colosseum. Here, you will feast on a sublime series of dishes accompanied by a careful selection of wines.

After breakfast and check out, which will take place before 10:00 or 11:00 AM, meet your private driver outside your hotel and head for the airport, train station or your next travel destination.