This is the perfect Rome tour for the first day of your visit, to help you orientate yourself with the city and get a nice introduction with many great photo opportunities! Also, if you have been to Rome before, you may find that this tour, with quirky details and fun facts known only to locals, may just open your eyes to another side of Rome!
You’ll learn the stories behind some of the most important monuments in Rome, how they have evolved with the city and the purpose they serve today. You will see how ancient, medieval and modern all mix together to create a delightfully unique atmosphere in what is, after all, the “Eternal City”!
Your personal guide to Rome will take you to the famous Piazza di Spagna and Bernini’s Barcaccia Fountain. Continue your walk to the stunning Trevi Fountain, which is the largest baroque fountain in Rome. Legend has it that if you toss a coin over your left shoulder into the Fountain you’ll return to Rome one day.
Next, you’ll walk to the Piazza della Rotonda and admire the exterior of the historic Pantheon. Built in 27 B.C. the Pantheon was dedicated to all the Roman gods. In the 7th century, it was converted to a church dedicated to Mary and the martyrs. It is also the resting place of some major Renaissance artists, including Raffaello.
Here, we take a break to allow you to sample some authentic Roman gelato. If ice-cream is not your thing, no worries, have a coffee and watch the world go by for a few minutes!
Next stop is Largo di Torre Argentina, a fascinating archaeological site in a vibrant part of the city – it is amazing to stand over 1stcentury ruins of ancient temple while witnessing reckless Roman drivers whizzing by the surrounding streets of this unique piazza! The ruins have for a long time also offered a home to Rome’s stray cats, and the Cat Sanctuary was eventually installed here.
Next, we walk up the steps to admire the views from Campidoglio, the piazza designed by Michelangelo in a trapezoidal form, to solve an architectural challenge which nobody could previously overcome – how to create an accessible piazza atop the ancient Capitoline Hill, with its notorious contours and eclectic surface. The design is remarkable, as are the views – of Ancient Rome to the rear and the historic centre at its face. This famous piazza has several secrets to reveal, which you will hear about on the tour (we can’t tell you everything here, you know)!
Your guide will next take you through the Jewish Ghetto, where you will see the Portico d’Ottavia, the Synagogue and the remains of the Teatro Marcello – an ancient theatre similar in design to the Colosseum, which you will see has been marvellously integrated into the modern city with the seamless construction of apartments on its upper floors, while modern day concerts are held here during the summer.
We continue our evening walk to Campo de’ Fiori, a site that at one time was noted for exciting races and public executions. In the centre of the square you’ll see the statue of philosopher and cosmological theorist Giordano Bruno.
Today Campo de’ Fiori is a busy marketplace in the morning and a centre of nightlife after the sun goes down. It’s the perfect place to conclude your evening in the Eternal City after your guided tour.
We make one final stop, however, before leaving you to continue your evening. At Piazza Navona, your guide will take you to admire Bernini’s magnificent Four Rivers Fountain in the centre of this iconic piazza, which you will note takes an unusual shape – for good reason! This piazza was built atop an ancient Roman circus – a track used in Rome for Greek-style track and field sports. This makes it the iconic symbol of Rome today, perfectly highlighting how the modern city embraces and incorporates its ancient, medieval, Renaissance and Baroque histories, into a beautiful blend that cannot be rivalled.
The square also features other important sculptural and architectural creations, including the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone by Borromini, Palazzo Pamphili, the Neptune Fountain at the northern end and the Moor Fountain at the southern end.
This is the perfect Rome Tour for the first day of your visit, to orientate yourself with the city and get a nice introduction with many great photo opportunities, and leaves you in the best part of the city to enjoy the famous Roman relaxing summer nights!
