There were multiple people in our group who have been on tours with your group, "Going to Vatican City was my favorite if I had to choose just one event. ▲ Piazza del Campidoglio Square atop Capitoline Hill, designed by Michelangelo, with a museum, grand stairway, and Forum overlooks. "My favorite "wow" moment was learning from both Lisa and Francesca (our tour guides) about making a "personal" connection with the history, people and art of ancient Rome. It did. When we found the 7 day best of Rome tour, it sounded perfect. Most days are moderately paced with 2–8 miles of walking, including some hills and stairs. ", This was my first trip to Europe. recommendations, it has good seating inside and out. No bus. recommend a tour. I liked the wide variety of experiences we were able to enjoy such as visiting a 1st century church one day and then walking the local food market and tasting some of the local delicacies the next day. "Walking through the Jewish ghetto, making a turn into a square where brass plates marked the final breakdown of Mussolini to Hitler's demands to genocide--which then opened up to a site of an ancient Roman ruin. The guide was exceptional in explaining the building of Rome through the ages. See our FAQ | Call "Visiting the Colosseum was a wow moment for me, however, all the other sites are a close second.". Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements and transfers are completely up to you. Arrivederci, Roma! Great experience, Nina was also great. My experience with the tour is that it was the best it could have ever been in touring Rome. Excellent guides. "I'm a history and architecture nut, so the first full day at the Forum, San Clemente and the Colosseum was my favorite day. He made everyone feel special. We were fortunate to have Stephanie as our tour guide on a previous tour of Italy in 2016 and were pleased to have her again. She has an incredible gift of sharing her passion for the people's stories from the history of these areas.". Our local guides except one were outstanding. "St Peters Basilica, the Borghese Galletry and the Pantheon.". This trip was all I had hoped it would be. I enjoyed every minute of my trip. Thank you. Got goosebumps when Francesca brought us in to the Colloseo the way the Gladiators came in! Then going to the Vatican Museums. "I loved going away from the crowds in Rome to explore Ostia Antica. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Nina was great, knowledgeable and very personable. For me, touring wi I had some trepidation about being part of an organized tour group, however, most of my anxiety was alliviated within the first 24 hours. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Iliana, our tour guide, filled in the art details with her passionate love of Italian history. But the Borghese Gallery tour was the surprise "wow" moment for me. From the tours (& guides!!) We could never have done this on our own.". "Had to be our guide Francesca who covered our San Clemente, Coliseum and Forum tours. Our day will end with a chance to get acquainted during a "Welcome to Rome" dinner together. I told Ben he was at the top of my list of favorite people that day. per person + air, Single It was immersive and that is just what I had hoped for. Rick Steves' Europe | All the best travel tips, travel inspiration, and European tour info from the team at Rick Steves' Europe. I had enough of my own time to visit places that were not on schedule. ", Rome was always a dream of mine from a child. I was glad to find another woman solo-traveler and we buddied up, eating all non-included dinners together. I have long admired these in books and on-line, but to see the delicacy and detail in person was amazing. "When I walked into the room with at the Borghese where Bernini statue of Apollo and Daphne is housed I audibly gasped (I didn't realize it until Francesca looked at me and smiled ??). But the way it was set up allowed me to get to know people on the tour at a good pace. I am so glad that was part of the tour. I really enjoyed the tour. With more than 600 Rick Steves tours a year, we have guides working all over Europe all the time. "My favorite "wow" moment - or, I should say "wow" day was going to Pope Francis' general audience, the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and having gelato at Old Bridge in between.". around the Colosseum. Felt like we took in all Rome can offer in a jam packed week. The Rome tour was phenomenal from start to finish! And I personally was hoping for a small group, this group of 12 was almost too small, especially with 5 being from one family. Like our other Pocket guides, Pocket Rome is smaller than the complete guidebook (and in full color), but still offers our best sightseeing advice, a handful of self-guided city … "When Nina used the phrase "winds of change." "Villa Borghese. This tour of Rome with Rick Steves was the FIRST time we had ever taken a group tour of any kind. Thank you so much. I would most certainly recommend a tour!! Wonderful guides. Hotel was very good, we'll stay there when we go back. Favorite "WOW" moment Unlike Rome's politically oriented Forum, our walk through Ostia gives us a chance to envision the daily lives of merchants and craftsmen and appreciate beautifully preserved mosaics. Nina is a rockstar. ", This was my first trip abroad and with a tour group. ▲ Arch of Constantine Honors the emperor who legalized Christianity. I will definitely plan to use Rick Steve's tours again. For most of this tour, we had to find our own way back to the hotel or to the metro - it would have been nice if our guide offered the option to walk anyone who was interested over to the metro. We saw and learned about all the top spots in Rome, but experienced it all on a much more personal level . Lots of fun.". The "Best of Rome" Tour was simply outstanding. It was a fantastic tour that provided my wife and I with a great introduction to Rome and Italian culture! And beneath that, a 1st century altar to pagan god Mitheros with a still functioning water system and ancient Roman alleys. Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. The tour activities were structured to give us the type of complete Rome experience we would not have had on our own, yet there was plenty of time to be on our own to explore or relax. The other was the porchetta. has been serving locals since 1906 with food that makes up for the lack of … This was because Wednesday morning is a Papal Audience given at St. Peter's square. The overall experience was wonderful!! Great command of Italy's history and has a great sense of humor. "There were many. This was my first tour of any kind and I wasn't sure I'd like giving up the planning of our trip. "All of our guide Francsca's comments. "The visit to the Vatican, it's museums, church art, St Peter's Basilica were all amazing. Each day had it's own incredible experiences.". I felt like a kid again as we walked back in time going down 30 feet revealing pieces each building. "For me the wow was touring the Vatican with an expert guide. This was my first trip outside of US. This was after our guide explained to us about experiencing art in situ. You'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to wander through the nearby Palatine ruins, see Michelangelo's Moses at St. Peter-in-Chains Church, or climb to the top of the Victor Emmanuel Monument to enjoy the city view (don't forget to savor a foamy cappuccino in between). The hotel was lovely and the staff were amazing. The ancient Rome tour, guided by Francesa, would have to be it. I was able to try foods I wouldn't likely try if I were to have only dined on my own. The people in our group were AMAZING! Baked lamb is a favorite (dinner only, €8 pastas, €12-18 main dishes, just off of Via Nazionale at Via del Boschetto 41, tel. I've always wanted to go to Rome. It brought to mind the change that has characterized Europe for all its existence. Our tours are physically active! "The favorite WOW moment has to be seeing the Coliseum for the first time and walking into the Coliseum thru the gladiators entrance. Having it be a beautiful weather event was a gift too. Nice balance of scheduled activities and time on our own. But I'm happy to say that I can't wait to go another Rick Steves tour. Seeing all the sights in which I had only read about or seen on TV. The second was the Pantheon, really for the same reason but it also is such an impressive building. The Vatican I would def. Their knowledge, interpretation and charm impressed my whole family- and they're pretty harsh critics.". Well run tour as usual, great new experiences and nice people to travel with. Civilizations built one on top of the slaves friendliness and information that from. Church art, Italian art, history, made for a trip to and! By local guide Francesca. `` RS way of traveling for my husband and I nothing. Attend a session as a whole and knew what they were experts in navigating this overwhelming. Educated and passionate tour guides enthusiastically shared their knowledge and way to structure activities... 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