Day 1

You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Rome. On arrival a coach will take you to your hotel, the four-star rated Archimede or four-star Luce for four nights bed and breakfast. The hotels are family run and is situated right in the heart of the ancient city, only a short walk (200-500metres) from the main Termini station, which provides superb transport links via metro and bus to all areas of the city and the main sights – including direct connections to the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Spanish Steps just a few stops away. They are both housed in traditional Italian palazzos and decorated in a tasteful style with modern furniture and the classical Italian touches of marble floors and sparkling crystal chandeliers illuminating the lobby. Comfortable seating is provided in the lobby area and breakfast is served buffet style in the ample breakfast room of each hotel. All rooms have private facilities, air conditioning and satellite TV.
This really is an excellent location from which to explore the city. You will find a myriad of shops a short walk away on the Via Nazionale, and the area has plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants. The hotel is very close to the National Roman Museum, which includes the extremely well preserved Diocletian baths, the grandest of the public baths of ancient Rome capable of accommodating 3,000 bathers in sumptuous surroundings – as well as three other sites giving a great insight into the ancient city and the Roman lifestyle.

Day 2

After breakfast, we get to know this fabulous city in earnest, taking a sightseeing tour of the city. The monuments are legendary: there is the Trevi fountain, a huge gush of water, streaming from a natural spring over immense rocks, built onto the side of a Renaissance palace. Legend has it you must toss a coin into it, thus ensuring you make a return visit to this most beguiling of cities. Then there is the Piazza Navona, Rome’s most famous square, as picturesque as any in Italy, lined by cafes and restaurants. Arguably the city’s social centre, it is full of street entertainers and artists. You must stroll down the instantly recognisable, 18th century Spanish Steps; in the past, the haunt of artist’s models and now simply the place to be seen. At the bottom is the Piazza di Spagna, home to the poet Keats and visited by Milton, Byron and Shelley – all drawing inspiration from the uniqueness which is Rome. The afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish but whilst you are in Rome, you must visit one of the highlights, the Vatican, the independent state and of course home to the Pope and the largest church in the world, St Peter’s. Allegedly the final resting place of St Peter himself, this is the one of the most sacred shrines in Catholicism, and one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture there is.  Inside, the Sistine Chapel is one of Art’s greatest masterpieces and the largest painting ever created by one man, the genius Michelangelo! This is quite simply the largest, richest and most compelling such museum complex on earth, containing so many artefacts from the city’s history. Many of the finest artists of the Renaissance worked for a variety of Popes but there are other displays too: Egyptian antiquities, furniture, sculpture and silverware.

Day 3

Holding sway over much of the ancient world for 500 years, Rome was the greatest empire of its time. Legend has it that the city was founded by Romulus and Remus on seven hills. After subduing the neighbouring tribes and the Carthaginians by the second century BC, it became the dominant power in the Mediterranean. Plunder and slaves poured in and a building spree lasting centuries began. Ruled firstly by a series of consuls, then subsequently probably the most famous Roman of all, Julius Caesar, followed by a series of Emperors, each wanted their place in history and to out-build their predecessors. Their names are legendary and some are infamous: Augustus, Nero, Caligula, Vespasian, Titus and Constantine. Between them they created a unique legacy, the remains of which we see today: the forum, the house of the Vestal Virgins, temples to all the gods, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and even ‘foreign’ ones too like Isis and Diana. Then there are the law courts and the Podium where news of military conquests was announced to an eager public. Then on the nearby Palatine Hill are the remains of the opulent villas of the elite, including the Emperor. Next to this are the immense Caracalla baths, a veritable Roman leisure centre, plus two of the most famous centres of ‘entertainment’ the world has ever known: the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum. Ancient Rome was a truly remarkable place! This morning we see all of this and more on our fascinating guided tour, with the remainder of the day free for you to explore at your leisure.

Day 4

This morning we visit the Villa Borghese, a truly remarkable collection of museums set in a tranquil series of gardens which form the city’s largest park. Created in the 17th century, collectively it is one of the city’s greatest treasure houses. Most famously it houses one of the world’s greatest collections of fine art including outstanding works by Raphael, with another pavilion housing the national modern art museum. The outstanding Villa Giulia is home to the world’s most outstanding collection of Etruscan and ancient Roman artefacts. It really is incredible: exquisitely made vases and other ceramic and glass items in almost perfect condition are displayed next to stunning gold jewellery studded with precious stones, crafted in the most skilful manner. Then there are everyday items too: agricultural implements and cooking utensils, coins, brooches, remains of clothing, leather-wear – even portable wash stands. In fact many are remarkably similar to household items used today. This is a wonderful museum where you can truly lose yourself, but above all it is a poignant reminder that no matter how grand a civilisation is and however sophisticated a race believe themselves to be, in reality we are all very similar and throughout history we have all wanted the same things.
So this afternoon what is it to be? Take a coffee in the famous Caffe Greco perhaps, once the haunt of Keats, Byron and Wagner. You could window shop along the Via Condotti for some of the finest clothes you will find anywhere – fashion straight from the catwalk. Perhaps most satisfying though, is simply to wander at will and explore this wonderful city at your leisure: let yourself be captivated and enchanted by this truly entrancing city. And whether you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain or not, you are sure to want to return one day to the magic that is Rome!

Day 5

Today the coach will take you to Rome airport, at the appropriate time, to take your return flight home, after a really memorable tour.