ITALY FOR BEGINNERS

Whether you approach this enchanting city by land or sea, your first glimpse of Venice will take your breath away. Once a powerful maritime republic which ruled supreme over Mediterranean trade routes, Venice continues to conquer visitors from far and wide drawing them into her net. Get ready for your capture on this entrancing orientation tour. Your private guide will meet you at your accommodation and lead you on a trail through Venice’s exquisite tracery of waterways and lacework facades, animated with true tales and snippets about the places you pass.

Venice is an archipelago of one hundred and eighteen tiny islands probably first inhabited by refugees escaping from nearby Roman cities, such as Padua, Treviso and Altino, during the Barbarian invasions in the 5th century AD. The city grew under the influence of Byzantium, flourished in the Middle Ages and reached the peak of its splendour during the Renaissance when it became a thriving commercial, cultural and artistic hub.

Make your way to St. Mark’s Square, once the heart of Venice’s political and religious life and today the main tourist attraction of this fabulous floating city. When you reach this wonderful piazza you will be standing in what Napoleon called “the finest salon in Europe” which does indeed appear to be a stunning hall of stone lined with remarkable historic buildings: the Basilica in all its Byzantine glory; the Renaissance clock tower proclaiming the city’s unrivalled wealth and prestige; the elegant arcades of the Procuratie; Sansovino’s ornate Loggetta; the Doge’s Palace, presiding regally over the Serenissima.

Located at the eastern end of the square, St. Mark’s Basilica was originally the doges’ personal place of worship. It was not until 1807, when it became the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, that this private chapel was converted into the city’s cathedral, and henceforth became a public marvel for all to enjoy. Step inside to hear how the construction of the building one thousand years ago was intricately bound up with a theft and the survivors of a storm at sea. The church’s magnificently decorated interior, with its marble inlays, finely carved capitals, jewel-studded altarpiece and, above all, glimmering mosaics covering 8,000 square metres of vaults and domes is an uplifting spectacle that never fails to impress.

Intriguing tales of scandal and conspiracies await you inside the Doge’s Palace, the former residence of the Venetian rulers and a feat of Gothic architecture. Follow your guide through the splendid marble courtyard, up the gold-vaulted staircase, past the doges’ private apartments into the Hall of the Great Council. Here, you will gain a better understanding of the city’s political institutions and take a close look at the priceless works of art by local painters that embellish the walls. An allegorical depiction of the Triumph of Venice by Veronese will draw your gaze to the ceiling while on the wall behind the doge’s throne you will see one of the widest canvas paintings in the world, the Paradise, created by Jacopo Tintoretto and his son Domenico between 1588 and 1592. To this duo we also owe the portraits of Venice’s first 76 doges represented on the frieze that runs beneath the ceiling. A macabre tale will explain why one of these paintings has been replaced with a black veil.

Grand monuments, graceful sculptures and decorative reliefs will amaze you as you saunter across the city’s squares and wander through its maze of narrow alleys, over fairy-tale bridges, along its celebrated canals. Busy workshops and bustling markets are as much a part of the Venetian cityscape as its elegant palazzi and pretty courtyards. A visit to the lively Rialto quarter, for almost 1,000 years the financial and commercial heart of the Serenissima, will let you feel the pulse of daily life in Venice, both past and present. Indeed from here it only takes a tiny step of the imagination to glimpse the sights and scents of exotic wares and oriental spices that merchants of old would have traded on this very spot. As you feast your eyes on brightly coloured displays of succulent, seasonal produce and a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood, your guide will paint a vivid picture of the scene in medieval times, when this site was Europe’s most important business centre.

For centuries visitors to the lagoon have been mesmerized by the city’s magical mix of water, stone and light. Past travellers have tried to capture its fascination in many ways describing Venice as a jewel, a masterpiece, a repository of consolations, a box of chocolate liqueurs. However it strikes you, there’s no arguing with Petrarch who, back in the 14th century called it a “mundus alter” – another world.

After the tour spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Leave the tourist bustle of the city centre and sail off to explore two of the most popular Venetian islands on a half-day boat excursion. As repositories of the lagoon’s centuries-old traditions and manufacturing heritage, Murano and Burano play an essential role in your Venice experience. Don’t miss the chance to discover the history and customs of these magical islands and plunge into their timeless, dream-like atmosphere.

After breakfast meet your private guide and water chauffeur at your hotel and reach the first port of call on your lagoon excursion: Murano. Its 5,500 residents are proud guardians of the island’s long and still-thriving tradition dating back to 1291, when glass artisans were forced to move their kilns here from Venice because of fire risks. In a city of predominantly wooden buildings the profusion of glass-fusing ovens posed a constant threat. However this wasn’t the only reason that led Venice’s officials to relocate glass makers to Murano. Fear that the secrets of the trade might become known to potential rivals was just as dangerous, and possibly more so, than fires. By confining glass workers to a remote island, the republic sought to control glass production and trade and, most of all, to ensure that glass making techniques would remain a Venetian monopoly. The art of glass making helped publicise the island’s fame worldwide and it was the talented masters working here who produced the first Venetian crystal. This delicate, elegant material was highly prized and techniques of the craft were closely guarded secrets, the betrayal of which was once punishable by death. Today, however, you are free to watch glass blowers at work and see for yourself at close quarters how these Venetian craftspeople deftly pull from the furnace and model a dazzling array of splendid artefacts employing skills passed down through generations. These include wine stoppers, jewelry, vases, chandeliers and so much more.

After a pleasant walk in Murano rejoin your water chauffeur and set off for Burano, a quiet fishing village of about 2,300 residents, well known for its lace making industry. The origins of Venetian lace are lost in the mists of time. Legend has it that a fisherman went out to sea a few days before his wedding and encountered a group of mermaids while fishing. So love-stricken with his betrothed was he that the mermaids’ charms and songs failed to bewitch him. Impressed with the young man’s utter devotion, the mermaids decided to reward him with a magnificent piece of cloth embroidered by the froth of the waves. On their wedding day the fisherman gave the cloth to his delighted bride who immediately set about creating another similar piece of cloth… and that’s how the famed Burano lace was born.

Here you will admire a range of lovingly handcrafted goods including doilies, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, wedding veils and babies’ booties expertly woven by lace artisans using the same techniques as their ancestors in the 1600s, which is when Burano’s popularity spread across Europe. Intricate and beautifully stitched Burano lace creations were in high demand with nobles and royalties as attested by portrait paintings of illustrious personalities wearing outlandishly fancy lace finery. It is said that King Louis XIV wore a Burano lace collar for his coronation and the inventory of the English Queen Elizabeth I’s wardrobe provides evidence of her love of Venetian lace.

The striking polychrome homes of the islanders and the shifting hues reflected in the water are another typical feature of this uncannily beautiful spot which has long attracted landscape artists. The tradition of painting houses in highly-saturated hues may well be related to the island’s history as a fishing village. The bright colours which once helped fishermen to navigate through the fog and find their way back home are today a life-size canvas beckoning the modern visitor into the frame.

After a tranquil morning on these charming islands, you’ll be ready to cruise back to the hectic flurry of Venice again. Happy sailing!

In the afternoon, following lunch and time at leisure, reach the dock, hop aboard a gondola and soak up the unique atmosphere of Venice on a magical ride with your private gondolier. As you glide along the shimmering waters of the city’s enchanting canals, past lacework facades, under fairy-tale bridges, the breathtaking views of the lagoon may seem like aspects of a dream… but this is a reverie come true.

After the gondola ride spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

After breakfast and check out meet your private water chauffeur outside your hotel and reach the railway station for your high speed train to Florence. Upon arrival in Florence, a short transfer by car will bring you to your hotel where you will be staying for 3 nights.

Following lunch and check in, which will take place after 2:00 or 3:00 PM, enjoy an unforgettable ride through Florence on a private Segway tour.

What a glorious way to get a close look at the squares and bridges, the monuments and magnificent facades of the city’s favourite buildings as you sail along smoothly and silently on your own personal transporter! You will enjoy the best of Florence’s iconic attractions together with a tailor-made commentary from your expert guide while cruising around aboard the very latest and greenest motorized vehicle. This carefully planned tour will lead you past picture-perfect piazze, down fashionable streets and hidden alleys, allowing you to gain a real feel for the texture of life in Florence, past and present, in record time. There’ll be ample opportunities for snapping shots of the city’s major landmarks as well as everyday scenes and bustle that take your fancy.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel, accompany you to the starting point of the Segway tour and give you a brief orientation session on how to manoeuvre this 2-wheeled, easy-to-handle, electric vehicle. Once you’re ready, hop on your Segway and begin your exciting ride back down the centuries. You’ll roll across charming squares, beside the River Arno, past glorious churches and noble palazzi, while learning about the most significant events in the history of the city. From its early days as an ancient Roman military settlement, through its rise in the Renaissance as a prosperous trading centre and thriving artistic hub, to today’s prestigious role as one of Italy’s major travel destinations… you’ll have 2,000 years to cover.

Make your way to Piazza del Duomo, the city’s religious heart, graced by three striking monuments: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s best-known landmark and an astonishing feat of engineering; Giotto’s Bell Tower, a fine example of Gothic architecture; the Baptistery, the city’s oldest religious site where poet Dante Alighieri himself was baptized. As you lap up views of the square, you will discover how architect Filippo Brunelleschi, back in the 15th century, built the largest masonry dome still in existence and hear about the competition for the creation of a bronze door that, according to tradition, marked the beginning of the Renaissance era in 1401.

Gripping tales of capture, conspiracy and coups await you in Piazza della Signoria. The square is dominated by the towering Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of political power and intrigue for over seven hundred years. Here, in the out-door sculpture gallery of the Loggia dei Lanzi, you will come face to face with Greek heroes Hercules and Perseus, brought vividly to life on the cusp of their triumphs by Giambologna and Benvenuto Cellini.

Highlights of your tour also include Piazza San Lorenzo with its imposing basilica, once the ruling family’s private place of worship and mausoleum; the popular shopping street of Via Tornabuoni; the superbly decorated exterior of the Church of Orsanmichele… And don’t forget to rub the boar’s snout as you wheel through the Porcellino Market so that you will – as legend has it – one day return to Florence.

After the tour spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Explore the colourful Oltrarno neighbourhood and gain behind-the-scenes insight into Florence’s bustling, creative craft scene. Lying “beyond the Arno” – as its etymology explains – Oltrarno is the repository of the city’s age-old traditions and unique manufacturing heritage. Here you won’t find chain stores or haute couture boutiques but you’ll get a real feel for the texture of life in Florence and discover some of the city’s long-hoarded secrets. As you roam through the neighbourhood you’ll come across typical family-run botteghe selling all sorts of masterly crafted mirabilia, including musical instruments, wooden items, leather shoes, jewellery, marbled paper and bespoke clothing – all lovingly hand-made, hand-carved, hand-painted and hand-sewn by talented artisans.

This tour will be led by an artisan expert and can be tailored to suit the needs and interests of all guests. Send us your wish list and we’ll create a customised “Made in Florence” itinerary just for you. From handbags to old manuscripts, from pottery to perfume, the Oltrarno district will fulfil your every desire. With an innate passion for scouting and twenty years of experience in the field of fashion and tourism, your artisan expert is unbeatable when it comes to locating hard-to-find items. She also keeps up to date with new workshop openings and artisanal-related events both in town and in the region. Meet her at your hotel and follow her on a trail through the streets of this 500-year-old district. You will be led past a variety of hand-picked botteghe tucked away on the Arno’s southern bank and discover to whom Florence owes its enduring fame as a centre of excellence for the production of ultra-quality crafts. There will be ample opportunity to find out more about the trades, traditions and production methods in personal exchanges with the artisans themselves.

Depending on your interests and the day of the week, you might visit furniture restorers, leather workers, shoemakers, wood carvers, goldsmiths, silversmiths, mosaic artists, tailors, milliners, custom jewellery designers, potters, book binders and antiquarians… the very best talents in every sphere. Your local expert will enrich your experience by recounting stories and curiosities regarding past and present-day protagonists of Florence’s magnificent world of arts and crafts.

After some free time for lunch it’s time to discover Florence’s most cherished artworks on a tour of the Uffizi Gallery. Your guide will lead you through the halls and highlight the masterpieces no visitor to the city should ever miss. The treasure trove you see today originated over four hundred years ago as the Grand Duchy’s administrative centre having been built at the request of Cosimo I de’ Medici to house the Florentine magistrates’ judiciary offices – called uffizi in old Italian. Construction work began in 1560 under the direction of architect Giorgio Vasari and was completed by Bernardo Buontalenti in 1574. Only 7 years later, in 1581, Francesco I de’ Medici, Cosimo’s son, set up his private gallery inside the building’s rooftop loggia adorning it with all sorts of precious artefacts, including cameos, stones, jewellery, bronzes, scientific instruments, paintings and statues. As time passed the Medici family’s collection was enriched until it was eventually bequeathed to the city of Florence by the last member of the dynasty, Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, in 1743. The gallery first opened to the public in 1769 and has delighted visitors ever since with its vast store of wonders.

Where else in the world could you find such a dazzling, prestigious collection of Renaissance marvels? Over sixty rooms display stunning works of art from the 12th to the 16th centuries, including classic paintings by well-loved artists Cimabue, Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. Your guide will treat you to the insider information you need to appreciate the significance of the pieces on display and the circumstances in which they were produced and commissioned. Who could resist the charms of Botticelli’s Venus emerging from her shell, as pure and perfect as a pearl? The grace of Leonardo’s Gabriel announcing the glad tidings and the thrill of meeting an illustrious Italian couple, immortalised in Piero della Francesca’s finely rendered portraits are among the lasting Florentine memories you will take away with you.

The last stop on this tour will bring you to the impressive Basilica of Santa Croce, one of the largest Franciscan churches in the world. Attributed to the genius of Arnolfo di Cambio, who probably began work in 1294, this splendid church is also one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture. Over the centuries several notable Florentine families acquired patronage of the basilica’s chapels, thus incurring the responsibility of embellishing and furnishing its walls. Not to be missed are the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels decorated by master Giotto, Taddeo Gaddi’s magnificent frescoes in the Baroncelli chapel, the Pazzi chapel designed by Brunelleschi and a wooden Crucifix by Donatello. Highlights also include the funerary monuments of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini as this very spot is the burial place for the great and good.

After the tour spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Savour Tuscany’s irresistible sights, scents and flavours on an unforgettable excursion to the countryside from Florence. At a highly esteemed winery, set in the peaceful Chianti hills, you will participate in a cooking workshop and prepare a delicious meal with fresh, prime quality ingredients.

You may not know that the word Chianti originates from the Latin term clangor meaning “clamour”, which refers to the noise produced by the blasts of trumpets, rolling drums and clashing swords that resonated throughout the countless battles that shook the area. As a border territory between the two rival cities of Florence and Siena, Chianti often found itself at the centre of tumultuous events and was far from being the peaceful Eden you can admire today!

Beautiful landscapes, charming towns and fine red wines have made Chianti a must-see for visitors to Tuscany. The region boasts an age-old tradition of vine cultivation that dates back to Etruscan times but it was only in 1716 that Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de’ Medici officially defined the boundaries of the Chianti wine area. Today, a true Chianti must contain at least 80% Sangiovese grapes and can be recognised by its distinctive label, the black rooster – a symbol steeped in a curious legend. Florence and Siena agreed to put an end to their long quarrel over the borders of their territories by each sending out a knight on horseback when the rooster crowed, at daybreak on a given date. The place they met would become the new border between them. The two cities both did their best to outwit their rival. In Siena, the white rooster was treated to a lavish meal in the hope that a full stomach would produce a vigorous morning crow, while in Florence, the black rooster was left hungry so that it would rise earlier, allowing their knight a head start. The latter strategy proved to be the right one for the Florentine knight set off long before his opposite number in Siena and successfully claimed most of Chianti for Florence. Since then the black rooster has been the emblem of the region.

After breakfast your private chauffeur will meet you at your accommodation and drive you to the winery. Here, you will enjoy a truly Italian hands-on gastronomic experience. Under the guidance of a friendly cooking instructor, you will pick up culinary tips, try out infallible techniques and learn how to make nutritious, mouth-watering dishes. Recipes are deliberately kept simple and easy to recreate so as to encourage rising chefs to practise their newly acquired skills once they return home. After the cooking lesson, take a seat around the dinner table and feast on the meal you just prepared… Buon appetito!

A visit to the cellar and a wine tasting are also included. You will discover the secrets behind the wine-making process, together with the unique characteristics of the terroir and climate that make Chianti wines so special.

In the early afternoon your private chauffeur will drive you back to your accommodation in Florence.

After breakfast and check out meet your driver outside your hotel, sit back and relax on the ride to Rome. En route, stop to enjoy a private tour of Siena.

Your guide will be waiting at the meeting point and make sure no fascinating detail eludes you as you follow a stirring trail. No doubt you will notice the symbol of Siena, the she-wolf and twins, which links the town with its Roman origins, though it was not until rather later that this centre bloomed into the glorious gem you see today. Legend has it that Remus’ sons escaped to safety here after the murder of their father by the children’s uncle Romulus, the founder of Rome. Siena is indeed immersed in legends, steeped in ancient traditions and replete with true stories of battles and bravery. The town is also richly peppered with wondrously preserved monuments, churches and architectural marvels, attesting to its extraordinarily rich and riveting past. Between the 13th and 16th centuries the town revelled in a golden age becoming one of the most powerful banking centres on the continent. A number of great artists were called upon to embellish its piazze and buildings securing its lasting fame.

Countless treasures await you inside the black-and-white striped Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: the wonderfully inlaid marble flooring, the rose window by Duccio di Buoninsegna, the marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano, Donatello’s statue of St. John the Baptist and the gorgeous Piccolomini Library. Well-known for its illustrated hymn books and beautifully preserved Renaissance paintings by Perugian painter Pinturicchio, the library was built at the request of Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, Archbishop of Siena, to honour the memory and manuscript collection of his uncle Pope Pius II. A radiant fresco cycle depicts a glorified version of the life of the pope as well as mythological scenes and ornate decorative motifs, all rendered with the greatest skill and painstaking attention to detail.

Not to be missed is also the shell-shaped Piazza Del Campo, for centuries the pulsing heart of the town’s social and political life and known the world over as the atmospheric setting of the Palio. Your guide will elucidate the origins of this famous horse race that still takes place regularly twice a year in July and August and help you understand why the event continues to play a significant role in fostering a Siennese sense of belonging, re-evoking the rivalry that flourished among its seventeen contrade and its legacy of ward-centric culture.

The looming Torre del Mangia, the elegant red-brick buildings and the medieval aura of the city’s narrow winding streets are among the unforgettable impressions to be savoured in this delightful wellspring of wonders.

After the tour and free time for lunch, rejoin your driver for the transfer to your hotel in Rome, where you will be staying for 3 nights. Following check in spend the rest of the day at leisure.

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.

Later, it’s time to 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 overview of ancient Roman history, society and culture, this tour encompasses the most significant and iconic archaeological sites. While you follow a time-worn route, past triumphal arches and majestic temples, 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!

Your journey begins as you access 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 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 first stone of the amphitheatre was laid in 72 AD at the request of Emperor Vespasian whose intention was to appease public discontent and control the masses by donating a gift to his citizens and win their support with panem et circenses – bread and circuses. The cruel yet spectacular shows of great popular appeal staged inside the Colosseum were like nothing seen before or since, and included mass executions, warrior fights, wild animal hunts and even naval battles. Here, ill-fated prisoners fought to the death before ecstatic crowds and exotic beasts were butchered in the name of entertainment. While you roam through the ruins of stone walls and bleachers, imagine how a gladiator must have felt as he prepared for combat and awaited his destiny, stirred by the roars and cheers of 60,000 blood-thirsty spectators echoing through the arena.

Next, enjoy the myths and stories that took root in Rome on your climb up to Palatine Hill, the oldest part of the Caput Mundi. According to legend, this is where the baby twins Romulus and Remus are said to have been rescued and raised by the she-wolf and it is here that Rome was founded in 753 BC, after a boundary dispute between the two brothers and a fratricide. For centuries this was the city’s most coveted neighbourhood, owing to the stunning views of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus – Rome’s grandiose chariot-racing stadium – to be admired from the top of the hill. The luxurious villas of the patricians were gradually replaced by the emperor’s awe-inspiring palaces. The impressive remains of the Domus Flavia, the Palatine Stadium and the Baths of Septimius Severus still provide an extraordinary glimpse of the opulent lifestyle and excesses enjoyed by the ancient Roman courts.

Your tour will end with a leisurely stroll through the Roman Forum. 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. The marks of the Roman carriage wheels are still visible along its cobbled streets. As you retrace the footsteps of busy market traders and faithful temple-goers, you will learn about the everyday customs of these city dwellers as well as the rituals and beliefs of their pagan creed. Your guide will certainly point out the Curia Iulia, an imposing building that once echoed with the fierce debates of the senators and the rousing speeches of the great orators. You will also see the Temple of Divus Iulius and find out more about the extraordinary achievements and brutal murder of Julius Caesar, the first Roman citizen to be deified after the mythical founder Romulus. Statues of the priestesses who were tasked with ensuring Rome’s sacred flame remained forever lit still line the hall of the House of the Vestal Virgins. Here, you’ll hear moving stories of their lives and sometimes premature, tragic deaths and discuss the role of women in Roman society. Not to be missed are also the Basilica Julia and the Basilica of Maxentius, the most important courthouses of the ancient city.

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

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.

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.