A POEM IN STONE

It was once said of Rome that it is “a poem pressed into service as a city” (Anatole Broyard). Sway to the rhythms of the Capital of the World and lap up its lyrical atmosphere on this epic excursion to the high spots. Your private guide will accompany you through two-thousand years of history and focus on the treasures no visitor to the Eternal City should ever miss.

Your journey begins as you access the largest and most imposing amphitheatre of the mighty Roman Empire – the Colosseum. This masterpiece of ancient engineering is evidence of the Romans’ brilliant construction skills and provides a spectacular example of their ingenuity and innovation in the fields of technology, science and architecture, achievements which remained unequalled for centuries. The gruesome calendar of events of great popular appeal staged here included warrior fights, wild animal hunts and executions. Roam through the ruins of stone walls and bleachers and imagine how a gladiator must have felt as he prepared for battle and awaited his destiny, stirred by the cries and cheers of 60,000 impatient spectators echoing through the arena. You will hear tales of ill-starred prisoners, blood-thirsty crowds and merciless emperors and conjure up the sheer terror of slaves whose fate could be decided with a mere gesture of the thumb.

Next, 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 breathtaking views of the Circus Maximus, an impressive stadium where intrepid charioteers once engaged in hair-raising competitions, speeding perilously around the track.

Your voyage through ancient Rome will end with a leisurely stroll round the Forum, a district of temples and vibrant public spaces which was once the social, commercial and political heart of the Caput Mundi.

Later, get ready for your encounter with one of Rome’s most authoritative residents. Seated on his marble chair, Moses awaits you, full of rage. He has just received the Commandments on Mount Sinai and found the Israelites intent on worshipping a golden calf. Moses is furious and seems to be on the verge of rising from his chair, about to destroy everything in his reach. Michelangelo was at the apex of his artistic career when he completed this colossal statue in 1515. The work was intended to adorn a majestic funerary monument for Pope Julius II to be placed inside St. Peter’s Basilica. The original project was abandoned after the death of the pontiff in favour of the more modest version we can admire today, tucked away inside the delightful Church of St. Peter in Chains. Pause for a moment to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of this masterpiece: Moses’ swollen veins, tensed muscles and long beard are rendered with the most painstaking attention to detail, while the range emotion conveyed by his posture and facial expression is astonishingly realistic. It is said that Michelangelo himself considered this oeuvre to be his most lifelike creation, to such an extent that he began talking to Moses. Since the statue didn’t reply Michelangelo threw a chisel at him while shouting “Why aren’t you speaking?” According to legend, this explains the small cut on the statue’s right knee.

After some free time for lunch, fast forward to the good old Baroque days on a leisurely stroll through Rome’s historic centre, a true open-air museum dotted with marvellous stone works of art. You will be led through world-famous piazze, past majestic marble fountains, along picturesque cobbled streets, enjoying fascinating stories about the gems you encounter en route and their celebrated creators. In Piazza Navona, while you inspect Bernini’s glorious Fountain of the Four Rivers and the facade of Borromini’s Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, lend an ear to an account of the contention between famous art champions Bernini and Borromini. Rivalry is one human characteristic that never changes! Anyone up for a race to the top of the elegant stairway of 135 steps in Piazza di Spagna? And don’t forget to make a wish as you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. Will yours be to come back to Rome again some day?

Your guide will animate your tour with tales and anecdotes about the daily lives of past and present-day residents – from ambitious popes, to quarrelsome artists, from yesterday’s powerful emperors to today’s prime movers – to ensure you take away an unforgettable and enriching experience.