Descrizione
We suggest Rome Grand Tour to admire the best of Rome in half day. The tour takes about 4 hour without any stop at shops or museums. If you like to visit the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, or any other place, please inform us in order to buy ticket in advance and skip the line. Biking Rome Grand Tour you will see all of following areas:
Rome Grand Tour – Piazza di Spagna
Italian fashion is worldwide known as the best and the most popular shopping area in Rome is Via Condotti housing shops of Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, and surrounding streets. If you have to spend in Rome only 2-3 hours or 1 week, in both cases never miss a visit to this area. This is the most fantastic area of Rome for shoppers and fashion lovers, and it is a great way to begin your sightseeing in Rome. Piazza di Spagna has been always crowded with rich tourists and artists since the 18th century. Today, it is one the most famous square over the world thanks to the “Italian Style”. A marvellous fountain, called “Barcaccia” (by Bernini), occupies the centre of the square. On the right, you’ll find the Keats Shelley Memorial House and on the left, Babington, one of the most exclusive Tea Rooms of Rome.
Up the stairs you will see the Hotel Hassler, is one of the best hotel of the city thanks to the view that can be enjoyed while having breakfast on its terrace. Near the hotel there is Trinità dei Monti, a small Gothic style church built in A.D. 1495. Due to the marvellous view of the square that it offers, this is one of the destinations preferred not only by tourists, but also by local people. Step down the Spanish Steps and in the square you can find Dior, Moncler, Missoni, D&G, Valentino, and more appreciated fashion designers.
At the end of Via Condotti, you will see the Fendi Palace, the storlle of one of the ancient fashion house of Rome. Going on Via di Fontanella Borghese you can have a look at the Rome Tod’s store.
To go back, walk on Vicolo della Torretta and walk to Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, a recently restored square, a nice place to have a delicious “cappuccino” or an express coffee inside an elegant bar or under a kiosk. Here is also the new Louis Vuitton megastore. We suggest a walk in all streets of this area, because of full of small shops and cafè.
Going to Via del Babuino, famous for Tiffany and shops specialized in selling antique carpets, paintings, and furniture (before buying, ask for a detailed description of the article you’re interested in) you will arrive in Piazza del Popolo, restored by Valadier in A.D. 1824 during the Napoleon era, preserving the already existing buildings. Here you’ll find two twin churches, St. Mary of Montesanto and St. Mary of the Miracles, and still another church, St. Maria del Popolo (considered to be a museum since it houses works of art by Raphael, Bernini, Pinturicchio, and Caravaggio).
After visiting the churches, go up to the terrace of the Pincio, the ideal place to have a rest, to enjoy a drink at Casina Valadier, and have a look at Villa Borghese, one of the biggest villas of the city, famous thanks to the spring equestrian event that takes place there. In the heart of the park, you’ll find Casino Borghese, built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the early 17th century. Nowadays it houses the Museum and the Borghese Gallery.
Important streets start from Piazza del Popolo of great importance for all Romans: Via del Corso, and Via di Ripetta. Via del Corso, full of casual style shops, is the right place for young people in search of shopping and meeting people (especially on Saturdays).
Walking back towards Piazza Venezia, you will see Piazza Colonna, occupied by Palazzo Chigi (Government seat) and Montecitorio (Parliament seat). From here, it is easy to arrive to Piazza Sant’Ignazio, splendid square of the 18th century where you can have a dinner in a lovely restaurant.
Rome Grand Tour The Vatican
Starting from Piazza Risorgimento, walking long Via Cola di Rienzo, the most important shopping street for both tourists and locals, reach Piazza Cola di Rienzo, turn on the right on Via Cicerone to Piazza Cavour, where you can see the Palazzaccio (Italian Court of Justice Palace), Castel Sant’ Angelo and The Vatican City the smallest independent state of Europe since 1929, as a result of the Lateran Treaties between the Italian State and the Catholic Church. Don’t miss to see the Basilica, The Dome and if you have time (it takes more than 5 hours) the Vatican Museums.
Castel Sant’ Angelo : was built in A.D. 35 as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian. Afterwards, it was used by Aurelian as a fortress. Residence, fortress, and mediaeval prison, it was embellish by Pope Alexander VI, by Pope Julius II, and by Pope Paul III. In 1277, the Vatican Corridor was built to link the Vatican Palace to the Castle, thus giving the Pope an eventual way to escape during the periods of political instability. Today, it houses an important Military Artistic Museum.
St. Peter’s Square : is the largest one of Rome (314 meters long), its centre is occupied by an Egyptian Obelisk 25 m high, and 2 fountains: by Maderno on the right and by Fontana on the left. The wonderful colonnade was made by Bernini in the middle of the 17th century and the facade was built by Maderno at the beginning of A.D. 1600.
St. Peter’s Basilica : was erected during the Constantine Empire, replacing the Nero Circus, where Peter, one of the apostles, was martyred and buried in A.D. 324. Before 1309, when the Pope moved to Avignone, the pontifical court was in St. John Lateran. In 1377, when the pontifical court came back to Rome, the Pope Nicholas V decided to rebuild a new Basilica, but the work was interrupted till 1503 when the Pope Julius II gave the project to Bramante. The best artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods worked on this project that lasted for more than 100 years. The Basilica is nowadays 187 m. long and 132 m. high and is the heart of Christianity. The Dome was finished by Della Porta following the original project of Michelangelo, who died before the end of the works. Thanks to a lift, we get to a terrace overhanging the central nave and 92 meters high. Here we find the stairs to the Loggia that surrounds the skylight. Photo: St. Peter’s Dome.
The Vatican Museums : are a group of palaces with about 10.000 rooms, galleries, libraries, halls, gardens, full of works of art of every kind. They include:
– Raphael’s Rooms : Raphael was introduced to the Pope Julius II by Bramante, and the Pope gave Raphael the project to paint several rooms of the Vatican apartment.
– The Sistine Chapel : in 1475 the Pope Sixtus IV decided to build the Sistine Chapel, an essential building, isolated from the other buildings and fortified. In 1483, the best painters of the Renaissance started working here. Perugino, Botticelli, and others, illustrated the Old and New Testaments. In 1508, the Pope Julius II ordered Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Chapel. He worked 3 years to paint a surface of 800 square meters, famous are the Episodes from Genesis. After 23 years, Michelangelo painted the Last Judgement fresco on the wall behind the altar.
Rome Grand Tour – Piazza Navona
The Pantheon : raised by M.V. Agrippa in 27 B.C., was dedicated to Mars and Venus. This Roman building has been restored over the centuries, thus leading to a modification of its original structure. Domitian restored it in A.D. 80. after a fire, and Hadrian did it some years later. It was closed by the first Christian Emperors, and then devoted to Virgin Mary and opened to the worship. It underwent through important restorations during the Renaissance. Amongst the tombs of great Italian artists that it houses we find that of Raphael, and that of Umberto I, King of Italy.
Piazza Navona : on its lengthened oval plant are placed 3 splendid fountains, amongst which Fountain of the Four Rivers, by Bernini. Piazza Navona was built on the Stadium Domitian ruins in A.D. 1650 and nowadays it is surrounded by Baroque buildings, such as: Palazzo Pamphili, present headquarters of the Brazilian Embassy, and Sant’ Agnese in Agone by Borromini.
Palazzo Altemps : the Palace was built near a once devoted to Apollo temple, and was to be the residence of the nephew of Pope Sisto IV. In 1570, it was restored by desire of its new owner, Cardinal Altemps. At the end of the 19th century, the Palace, property of the Vatican, was given to be used by the Pontificio Collegio Spagnolo (Spanish Pontifical College ). This lasted until 1982, when it was given to the Italian state. In 1997, it became a museum and today, houses one of the most interesting collections of Roman sculpture.
Walking north on Piazza Navona take a left onto Via di Sant’ Agnese in Agone and then right onto Via di Tor Millina and piazza del Fico where are several bar crowded of locals and tourists. This is the most fantastic walking tour of Rome for all people who love to find bargains and local fashion designers located in Via di Parione, Via del Governo Vecchio, Via del Pellegrino, Via dei Cappellari.
Campo de’ Fiori : in this square of the 15th century, the political enemies used to be executed. This is the case of Giordano Bruno, executed in the 17th century. Today, it is the very heart of the Roman young people nightlife.
St. Mary above Minerva : the only large Gothic church of the city, was designed by the Dominican Friars (who also designed Santa Maria Novella in Florence).
Rome Grand Tour – Fontana di Trevi
Via Veneto : is the heart of eating and entertaining. It has been a very famous street since Fellini shot there “la Dolce Vita”, his world-wide known film. This area became popular in the 17th century when two of the most important Roman families, the Barberini and the Ludovisi, built there their Palaces. Via Veneto was built in the second half of the 19th century, during the reconstruction of Rome. Lovely restaurants, hotels, and shops have been opened in it since the beginning of the 20th century. In 1960, it used to be the most elegant avenue of the capital, and the tables on the streets became a Mecca for actors and Paparazzi. After the lost of its splendour over the last decade, nowadays it is undergoing a new youth thanks to the most famous brands that have been opened here.
Reaching Piazza Barberini, turn on the right on Via Sistina, here there is the most famous theatre in Rome, the Sistina Theatre. If you have time, visit also Palazzo Barberini.
Palazzo Barberini : designed by Maderno and finished by Bernini and Borromini in 1640, today houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art.
Walking down on Via del Tritone, turn on the right to reach the Trevi Fountain.
Trevi Fountain : designed by Nicola Salvi and finished in 1762. In its center, you can see Neptune surrounded by 2 newts symbolising the sea. As the tradition says, tourists today still throw coins into the most spectacular fountain of Rome. From here you can easily reach the Quirinal hill.
The Quirinal : nowadays the residence of the President of the Republic of Italy, was built in 1574 by Pope Gregorius XIII on the highest hill of Rome as his summer residence. In the square with the same name, you can admire: Dioscuri Fountain, with the statues of Castor and Pollux, and other wonderful noble buildings all around the square. Going down you will see Palazzo Venezia, Piazza del Campidoglio, and the most famous Rooman ruins.
Piazza Venezia : the very heart of Rome. Its name comes from Palazzo Venezia built in 1455 by the Venetian Cardinal Paul II. You can see the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, built at the beginning of this century to celebrate the first King of Italy, is today the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Capitol : used for the triumphal processions during the Roman Empire, is presently the house of the Mayor. A big flight of steps lead to Piazza del Campidoglio, the first modern square, with a great terrace overlooking Rome. Michelangelo designed the best square in the world (as it was published by the New York Times) and, after his death, Della Porta continued the works which went on until 1654. Here you will find Palazzo dei Conservatori (Conservatories Palace, 1400), the Pinacoteca Capitolina and Museo Nuovo, whereas on the left, you will see Palazzo Nuovo (1600). There are antique sculptures of marble and bronze representing the history of the city: the Capitoline Wolf and the famous bronze Statue of Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 80), the only surviving example of the many equestrian statues that adorned Rome. It used to stand in the centre of the square until 1980, when was moved to the Capitoline Museum. Today, in the centre of the square we find a perfect copy of it.
The Appartamento dei Conservatori (Conservatories Apartment) is decorated with imposing frescoes of the 16th and 17th centuries representing the history of Rome. Its rooms preserve antique and Baroque sculptures, such as: the statue of Urban VIII, and the Testa di Medusa (Jellyfish Head) by Bernini. Don’t miss the Roman tapestries of the 18th century. The Pinacoteca Capitolina houses paintings by Caravaggio, Tiziano, and Rubens, as well as a beautiful collection of porcelains.
Rome Grand Tour – The Colosseum
Via dei Fori Imperiali (Imperial Fora Street) : built in 1932 and cut through the most fascinating Archaeological Area in the world, includes the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. In this area every single emperor left a sign of his greatness. If you start walking from Piazza Venezia, you will find the Trajan’s Column, built with 17 round marble blocks on a cubical base, Trajan’s Forum, built in A.D. 100, and Nerva’s Forum, built some few years before the former one. The construction of the Ara Pacis was ordered by Emperor Vespasian to celebrate the victory against the Jews, and it was restored some years later by Septimius Severus. If you keep walking towards the Colosseum, you will see the Forum of Caesar, restored later by Trajan, and the Palatine Hill raising over the Fora. The legend says that the Palatine is the place where Romulus founded Rome. Here, you can admire: the house of Livia, Augustus’ wife, the Temple of Magna Mater, the Augustan Domus, the Tiberian Domus, and the Flavian Domus.
At the end of this street, you can admire the:
Colosseum : the most impressive amphitheatre ever existed in the Roman Empire. It was started by Vespasian, but it was finished by Tito in A.D. 80. It has an elliptical plant, whose diameters are 188 m. and 156 m. It used to serve as the scenery for gladiators and lions performances until A.D. 523 (when Theodoric prohibited them). 55.000 people could be hold on its tiers, which were 48 meters high. It was given the name Coliseum because of a colossal statue of Nero that had been built in the surrounding square. In A.D. 315, Constantine built the Arch of Constantine (close to the Coliseum) to celebrate his victory against Maxentius.
The exciting Domus Aurea : the house of Nero, recently opened to visitors after an important work of restoration. St. John in Lateran, cathedral of Rome and Papal seat until the Pope had to move to Avignone. Borromini worked on this cathedral for the Jubilee Year A.D. 1650. Its facade was rebuilt in the 18th century and inside it a tabernacle of the 15th century can be admired together with a cloister from the 13th century.
St. Peter’s in Chains : famous for the Statue of Moses, one of Michelangelo’s most important sculptures.
St. Mary Major : built in A.D. 365 on the Esquiline Hill, has the highest bell tower of Rome. The present facade was rebuilt in the 18th century. Wonderful mosaics can be admired on the walls of the central nave (6th century), and on the apse (13th century).
Rome Grand Tour – Trastevere
Trastevere is one of the most important areas of Rome but out of ordinary tours. We suggest you visit this enchanting area of Rome in the evening and stop for dinner or a glass of wine in one of lovely restaurants. Trastevere is a medieval part of Rome where just a little has changed during the year, full of charming streets. It is still the most characteristic suburb of the city. Upon the old Roman houses, constructions have arisen first in mediaeval, and after in baroque style. Amongst the most imposing churches: S. Maria in Trastevere, the first place of worship ever built in Rome. In spite of some baroque changes (during the 17th century), we can still admire the bell-tower of the 12th century.
Janiculum Hill : it is one of the 7 hills of Rome, and besides a wonderful view of Rome, you’ll also find the church of St. Peter in Montorio and Paola Fountain, built by Fontana and Maderno in 1611 restoring the old aqueduct constructed by Trajan in A.D. 109 to carry water from the Bracciano lake to Rome.
Tiberina Island : a small island on the Tiber river where today, on the remains of the Temple dedicated to the Greek God of medicine, rises a modern hospital.
Theater of Marcellus : begun by Caesar and finished by Augustus, this theatre was a model for the Roman Colosseum.
Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin : example of the mediaeval Rome, is known because of the Mouth of Truth situated on the arcade. The legend says that this stone (4th century B.C.) eats the hand of the liars. Next to it, you’ll find the Boario Forum which dates from the Republican era (2nd century B.C.).
Rome Grand Tour – EUR
EUR is the area of Rome built by Mussolini to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his regime. Inside these buildings, a Universal Exhibition had been scheduled for the year 1942, but the war interrupted the works. Later on, EUR has become an administrative cente full of white marble beautiful buildings built in 1930.
Palazzo dei Congressi : designed by Libera in 1938, Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro (also called Square Coliseum because of its structure, 5 floors of travertine arches, which evokes that monument.
Palazzo dello Sport : designed by Nervi.
St. Paul outside the Walls Basilica : built by Emperor Constantine on Via Ostiense, over the place where the Apostle of the People had been buried. The present Basilica was built in the middle of the 19th century following a fire in A.D. 1823 that destroyed the old Basilica. It still preserves the bronze door of the 11th century. Inside, you’ll see the ciborium by Arnolfo di Cambio (13th century) and the mosaic on the apse (13th century).
Participants
Minimum age: 14.
Duration
Four hour.
Availability
Rome Grand Tour is available from Monday to Saturday. Exclusions may apply. You must book the tour in advance, all bookings are subject to availability.
Language
The tour is in English and Italian. We can arrange a private tour with a guide in your language, just specify your language while contact us.
Cancellation
If you cancel the reservation 48 hour before the date of booked tour, you will be reimbursed.
The tour will start with a minimum of 2 people. In the event that the minimum of participants is not reached, we will inform you 24 hour in advance and will give money back.
You can change date and time without any additional costs 24 hour in advance.
The tour will start also if raining.
