Rome Discovery Experience

Upon arrival in Rome, make your own way to the hotel and check in (an optional transfer service is available). In the afternoon, join a small group tour starting at 3pm to explore the hidden wonders of the city. We will visit underground ruins, walk among ancient columns, and step into a 2,000-year-old market while crossing one of Rome’s oldest bridges. Discover how many of Rome’s churches were built atop ancient pagan temples as we visit Saint Nicholas in Carcere. Nearby, we pass through the ruins of the Portico d’Ottavia and the Marcellus Theatre before crossing the oldest bridge in Rome, still standing after two millennia, to reach Tiber Island. We then descend into the underground chambers of Santa Cecilia to see stunning mosaics, mysterious inscriptions, and a beautifully decorated crypt. The tour concludes at San Crisogono, a church built over extensive underground spaces featuring fascinating frescoes and archaeological finds. Led by an expert guide, this leisurely walk reveals ancient treasures hidden in the heart of Rome, offering a unique perspective rarely experienced by most visitors. Overnight in Rome.

After breakfast, we meet for a small group tour of the Museo Nazionale Romano, home to Rome’s finest artistic treasures and a place where Michelangelo once worked as an architect. While the Colosseum and ancient ruins are vast and impressive, many of Rome’s precious artworks are preserved here, away from the crowds. Over the morning, we explore the Palazzo Massimo and the Baths of Diocletian, wandering through a peaceful courtyard restored by Michelangelo himself. You’ll see iconic sculptures such as Myron’s Discobolus and the Old Boxer, richly painted frescoes from Empress Livia’s garden villa, vibrant mosaics, and a variety of tombs. The tour concludes at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which houses a unique 17th-century planetary sundial designed to track the seasons for the Pope.After lunch, we reconvene for a small group tour of the Vatican Museums, one of the world’s largest museum complexes, with nearly 2,000 rooms stretching over 15 kilometres inside Vatican City. With a group limited to 12 people, we skip the queues and stroll through corridors filled with the Pope’s private art collection. We pass through Raphael’s Rooms, four interconnected chambers decorated by Raphael and his pupils, before reaching the Sistine Chapel. Here, you can admire Michelangelo’s extraordinary frescoes in the very chapel where Popes are elected. The tour ends in St Peter’s Square, where you have time to visit the basilica or spend a moment in reflection.

After breakfast, we will collect you for a memorable culinary experience beginning at a historic food market near the Vatican. Your guide will introduce you to the fresh ingredients behind traditional Italian dishes, sharing the aromas and flavours that define local cuisine. Leaving the market, you will join a chef to prepare homemade pasta, learning to mix ingredients and master authentic recipes. Once your dishes are ready, you will savour your creations paired with a selection of fine wines from the Lazio region. This hands-on experience offers a genuine taste of Italian cooking and culture. Overnight in Rome.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to take a final stroll through Rome or pick up any last-minute souvenirs. When you’re ready, we provide an optional transfer to the airport or train station to continue your journey.