WHEELS OF TIME

What more dynamic, exciting, healthy way to get to know the local environment and its iconic landmarks than a bike ride round the capital? Bicycles have always occupied a special place in Roman hearts, as testified by the much acclaimed, award-winning post-war film, Bicycle Thieves. Times have changed since then but you can still enjoy an energising bike ride through the historic centre on a comfortable modern two-wheeler – without fear of theft!

Enjoy the matchless treasures the Eternal City has to offer from the saddle. Your expert guide will lead you along a carefully planned route to make sure you get a glimpse of some of Rome’s choicest sights and ancient monuments while filling you in on their history and recounting lively anecdotes about the places you pass. You’ll pedal along cobbled alleys, beside the River Tiber, up and down two of the legendary seven hills, past archaeological ruins and gain a privileged view of the Caput Mundi that you might have missed or never found time to visit on foot.

Meet your guide at your accommodation and together reach the starting point of the tour. Hop on your bike and start cycling back through the ages, along the capital’s time-worn streets. As you ride past the Colosseum, the greatest amphitheatre of the Roman world, you might still hear the cries and cheers of bloodthirsty crowds resonating across the centuries. The building’s first stone was laid in 72 AD at the request of Emperor Vespasian who wished to donate a gift to the Roman citizens and win their support with panem et circenses – bread and circuses. The gruesome calendar of events of great popular appeal staged inside the Colosseum included warrior fights, wild animal hunts and executions. Stories of gladiators and merciless rulers will keep you agog until you reach your next stop: the Circus Maximus.

The remains of this chariot racing stadium lie in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills. Boasting extremely ancient origins that reach as far back as the 6th century BC, and extraordinary proportions – 600 metres long x 140 metres wide – the Circus Maximus is one of the oldest and largest entertainment venues ever built. The stadium could accommodate up to 250,000 spectators who gathered here to watch intrepid charioteers display their skills as they sped perilously around the track in hair-raising competitions. Much like today, victorious champions became celebrities, received large sums as prizes and were adored by the crowds – especially by those fans who received generous returns on the sizeable bets they had placed.

Ride up to the Aventine Hill and recharge your batteries in the Orange Garden offering a splendid panorama of the Eternal City. Tucked away on this hill you can also find the Villa del Priorato di Malta, headquarters of the Grand Priory of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and famous for the view to be spied through the keyhole of its garden door: a path lined with hedges leads the eye straight to the majestic dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, an architectural marvel dominating the cerulean Roman skyline.

Cycle back to the city centre and then up to Capitol Hill to hear about Rome’s early beginnings and mythical founding. En route stop for a snapshot by the Mouth of Truth – which is said to bite off the hands of liars. This theory has still to be proved beyond doubt so your feedback is welcome!