Life and Tastes of the Subura Monti

This very special gourmet history tour begins by exploring the Svbvra, as it was known in ancient Roman times, and known today as Monti. Going back hundreds of years, this charming neighborhood still today features artisan shops, traditional restaurants, a beautiful piazza, as well as an enormous amount of exciting history from brothels to convents, Julius Caesar to the Borgias. At the end our visit will take us up to an authentic Roman restaurant or enoteca where you will have the chance to have a wine tasting and food pairing featuring the wines of Lazio which are making headlines today, and learn about how and why the ancient Romans made this region’s vineyards famous millennia ago. We will try some delicious seasonal dishes, prepared to enhance the wine tasting experience, including some recipes dating back to the time of Julius Caesar who once lived in this neighborhood.

Fascist Rome – Discovering Mussolini’s Monumental Empire

Built by Benito Mussolini for the Universal Exhibition of 1942, the EUR (Esposizione Universale di Roma) quarter even today remains one of the most striking and modern areas of the Eternal City. For anyone who is interested in the history of fascism, learning about the life of Rome’s most famous modern dictator, and the architectural style known as Rationalism – this tour will be a mind-blowing discovery. Looking back to great architects of the era like Marcello Piacentini, and reviewing Rationalism as a reflection of fascist ideology and a return to classicism, you will discover some of the most astounding buildings and churches that this city has to offer, such as the breathtaking Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (popularly known as the Square Colosseum), the austere Palazzo dei Congressi, the elegant Museum of the Roman Civilization and the very unusual Basilica of the Saints Peter and Paul. On the way, enjoy a stop at at excellent local bar for an espresso and a fresh cornetto.
Those who are particularly interested in the era can choose to also pay a a visit to the Foro Italico (formerly known as Foro Mussolini) – a large sports complex built at the end 1930s in a riveting Neoclassical style. Mussolini’s architectural and artistic legacy in Rome is a fascinating one, and you can see for yourselves just how much of what we call Mussolini’s modernity was borrowed directly from antiquity and the imperial age.

Modern Art in the Eternal City – Touring Museums & Galleri

While the most popular and conventional things to see in Rome date either to Antiquity or the Renaissance & the Baroque, we’d here to show you that there’s more to Rome than Caesar and Michelangelo! In the last several decades Rome’s modern art scene has grown and flourished, producing not only established museums like the MACRO and the MAXXI, but also witnessing the birth of a myriad of commercial modern art galleries with regular exhibit openings and ever-changing local and international artists. Let us show you a different, modern side to the Eternal City! You can choose to visit the MACRO, the MAXXI, the Palazzo delle Esposizioni or the National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM), where your guide's infinite knowledge of modern art and history will guarantee a refreshing and unique visit. Another way to experience Rome’s young art scene is by visiting its commercial art galleries – join your modern art expert in a night on the town, touring the hottest galleries in Rome’s historic city center – the itinerary is not fixed, and will depend exclusively on current exhibitions.
Prepare to enjoy a glamorous night of gallery hopping, chilled Prosecco and art chat!

Capitoline Museum- Our favorite Hidden Treasure

The Capitoline Museum is the first public museum created in the world, and features the the collection of rare bronze ancient sculptures donated by Sixtus IV that somehow survived the destruction of thousands of others melted down throughout the middle ages to make weapons. With the museum's treasures as our backdrop, we'll follow the history of Rome through its artwork, covering masterpieces ranging from Renaissance paintings to the incredibly rare bronze and gilded Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, housed in a new gallery created specifically for its display. This poignant portrait of the philosopher emperor is the only Roman equestrian statue that survived, and was only spared because it was thought to be the Christian Emperor Constantine! Another striking bronze is the preternatural Etruscan she-wolf with babies Romulus and Remus, representing the legend of the founding of Rome. Viewing these fine sculptures we'll see clearly the stupendous quality of these great masterpieces spanning two thousand years. Not to be overlooked is the structure of the museums themselves, set in Michelangelo's Piazza Campidoglio, which incorporate layers of Rome's history within it, including ancient Roman temples and passageways.
We will see the colossal marble head, hand, arm and foot of Constantine the Great, which would have been nearly 40 feet high when all assembled! Another famous and provocative statue is the nude of Venus. Slightly over life size, Venus has just come from her bath and delicately covers her breasts and privates with her arms. Considered too sensual and life like for all but the most privileged viewers this statue was kept in the past under lock and key by a pope so that only 'privileged' people could admire her... Equally enchanting is the Dying Gaul, an exquisite sculpture of a dying enemy, its remarkable realism portraying a wounded warrior as he has collapsed on the ground, taking his last breath. Stunning in its modern feel, we witness every detail from his typically Gallic hairstyle and mustache to the lines of agony in his face, gripping us in their intensity. A special part of this tour includes a visit to an evocative underground gallery that exposes the ancient remains of temples dating back to the 6th century BCE, with a magnificent "secret" view over the forum. Don't forget to bring your camera so that you can take advantage of this shot! Aside from our museum visit we'll take an elevator ride to the rooftop terrace of the Victor Emmanuel Monument for what is without doubt the best view of Rome.

The Bad Boy Genius of Painting: Caravaggio Masterpieces

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio know as Caravaggio was the most important painter in Italy in the 17th century. At the turn of the century, Caravaggio arrived in Rome unknown and penniless to eventually spend 14 illustrious years, hitting the heights of his career, while at the same time being involved in skirmishes, duels, jail time and murder. He skirted between life on the streets and life among intellectuals and aristocrats who were pushing the boundaries of science, culture and discovery in the wake of the Renaissance. Caravaggio's precarious balancing act was doomed from the start, with controversy dogging him through the years, until the pronouncement of a death sentence forced him to run for his life. As intense as his own life, his revolutionary paintings are characterized by use of dramatic light and shadow and for their shocking realism and intense imagery. Unlike most painters of the time, he painted ordinary people, friends, and lovers from life, capturing their expressions and sensuality. Walking through Rome's historic center, we'll journey into the life and art of Caravaggio, into the Counter-Reformation Vatican and papal court of the time, as we visit churches for which his work was commissioned and in which centuries later it still resides.
We also explore where Caravaggio lived, worked and fought as we discuss his unprecedented visual technique and its relation to his violent tendencies, ambiguous sexuality and powerful spiritual expression. During our tour we'll see at least six Caravaggio masterpieces and up to eighteen in our extended tour which includes museums. At the end of our time together, you will fully understand how Caravaggio's edgy existence in Rome directly influenced the monumental and breathtaking paintings we are still privileged to see today.

Complete Ancient City

We start with the Circus Maximus, founded in 600 BC, and at Rome's height held 385,000 spectators for gladiatorial and chariot racing events. Imagine the roars of a crowd like that when their favorite charioteers won or lost! With the new excavations we can now see a large area not seen for more than a thousand years, revealing aquaducts that fed the stadium with water for the crowds and for mock naval battles. We will describe the key players involved in theater, sports and spectacles that were beyond extreme. From here we visit the Foro Boario, where the Mouth of Truth can be seen and the site of the markets where the best preserved temples in the city stand, one dedicated to Hercules. At the edge of the river, this was the great market of Rome, where animals for the games, and goods from all the known world arrived, a gateway marked by the massive Arch of Janus, god of crossroads. Past ruins of temples incorporated into Renaissance buildings we see the epitomy of recycling in the Theater of Marcellus. On to the Capitoline Hill, brimming with the colossal ancient Roman sculptures that Michelangelo decorated it with, we arrive at a panoramic view of the Forum before descending to the Imperial and Roman Forums to visit the masterpiece of human artistry, the Column of Trajan.
Entering into the Roman Forum the awe inspiring stories of Julius Caesar, the Vestal Virgins, Cicero, Cleopatra, and the greatest thinkers come to life in the civic center of ancient Rome. A story of great achievement and destruction was created by the people who gave us the foundation for our laws, market economy, religions and public works. It is also the story of the slaves, gladiators, men, women and children which tells a tale of a world so far away and yet so near. Up to the birthplace of Rome, the elaborate Palatine Hill, we will evoke what the enormous palaces of the emperors were like and contrast them with the huts of Romulus and Remus said to have stood on this site nearly 2800 years ago. Descending to the Arch of Constantine and the ever fascinating Coliseum, the site of nearly 500 years of bloody games and inventive spectacles we tell the tale of Bread and Circuses and the mad inventions which surrounded them.

Ancient City Full Day Immersion

One of Rome's most distinguishing features is its vast wealth of ancient sites and the incredible finds that have been made through excavations. So much is to be learned from the ancient world! We believe with this day long, in depth tour you will develop an intense love and fascination with history and archeology, or be satisfied as an avid follower of history programs or as an archeologist. We created this tour to give justice to the ancient history in Rome, and tie it all together with a visit to the Capitoline Museums where so many of the most amazing finds from the ancient world are held. Its truly amazing collection shows better than any other in Rome what amazing things come from the past, from the greatest artistic treasures to records of every day life. Your guide will show you the signs of the Western World’s pagan roots revealed in the layers of the Ancient City, illuminating spiritual, artistic and cultural traditions that date back to the founding of Rome nearly 2800 years ago. On our visit to San Clemente you will experience an excavated underground site with a pagan temple, water still running in an aqueduct still today and see the cross over from pagan to christian in the well preserved frescos.
Entering the Coliseum your guide will talk about the importance of theater and spectacle for the Romans and the wild creations that they made to keep people from being bored through its 500 year history. You will also learn about the people who were the foundation of Rome from gladiators and Vestal Virgins to the women and the children. These sites help illuminate the dramatic change from the pagan world to Christianity and how it was forever altered by the rise of the monotheistic Eastern religions and Mystery Cults. We will also bring the world alive for you recounting the stormy era of Julius Caesar, Livia, Augustus and Cicero up through Marcus Aurelius, Hadrian and Constantine. Seeing Trajan's Market, called the 'first shopping mall in the world', and the sculptural wonder of Trajan’s Column that is like looking at a 1900 year old film reel, details of every day life emerge in an unforgettable way! the site of nearly 500 years of bloody games and inventive spectacles. We will end our tour with the garden filled tranquility of the Palatine Hill, the birthplace of Rome, with a splendid view of the Circus Maximus, a look at the oldest habitations and the remains of palaces. At the end of the day we are sure that you will feel satisfied with the incredible sites you have seen, and yet be craving more!

Ancient City Express

One of the must see sites of Rome, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Coliseum represent only a few percent of what was the ancient city. We will enter the heart of Ancient Rome represented by the civic center of the forums digging through the layers of its pagan roots until Christian times. The Coliseum has been the emblem of Rome for its inhabitants and visitors to the Eternal City for nearly 2,000 years. Fifteen stories high, covering 7.5 acres, it was built over the lake of the mad Emperor Nero after his suicide to wipe out any trace of his existence. In this arena the power of theater was taken to extremes never seen before and we evoke the truth of its past with a legacy of stories that seem like fiction. The Forum and Palatine are enchanting and beautiful places to visit with secrets that do not easily reveal themselves. If only stones could speak! Our guide will speak to you of how each stone tells a fascinating tale of intrigue and power struggles, murder and ambition while at the same time representing civilization and law, beauty and religious piety. Our traditions of religious tolerance, law, and representative government all came from here.
From the massive palaces on the Palatine Hill to the almost vanished remains of the temple to the goddess of the sewers, each stone tells an unforgettable tale of an ancient and venerable Rome which has occupied the same place for over 2763 years. Exploring the streets, temples and great monuments, we breath life into the stories of emperors, philosophers and great politicians. From Vestal Virgins to slaves and gladiators, we follow the fascinating history and traditions of the evocative era of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and Cleopatra to Augustus, Cicero and Nero . But not everyone was as well off! A fascinating story is told by the details of the nature of daily life for the men, women, and children who inhabited this world.

Ancient Rome & Vatican City Full Day Tour

This unique tour combines the historic sites of the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Coliseum with a visit to the Vatican Museums. It provides a great opportunity for those who want to expand their understanding of how Ancient Rome was transformed into Papal Rome and came to be as it is today. Digging back through the layers of both ancient pagan and Christian tradition, your guide will take you on an unforgettable journey from the ancient past illustrated by the highlights of the collections within the Vatican Museums . Rome is perhaps the only place on earth in which one can simultaneously view the artistic, historic and spiritual traditions of the last 2800 years stacked one atop another to be revealed in its archeological sites and museums. The Roman Empire in the first centuries after Christ was a place in which many faiths competed for the hearts and minds of the people. In the end, the Christians won this spiritual battle, or did they? Discover how the pagan mind returned to medieval Rome, gave birth to the Renaissance, and shook the Church's very foundations. Your guide will take you around the city in an in depth and enthralling tour examining how the soul of man speaks through its art and architecture across the centuries.
Mid-day you will stop for a delicious Roman meal in a favorite restaurant, pizzeria or cafe, of your guide chosen for its authentic Roman cuisine.

Full Day Rome Highlights

With thousands of amazing sites Rome can be an overwhelming city so we have created this essential tour to Rome for you so that if you just have one day for a tour you know thay you have seen the greatest highlights of the city, and the rest will be waiting for you next time.

We start out with the Ancient City and the greatest sites of the Roman Forum and Coliseum, weaving in stories of the origins and rapid growth of Rome and its key players such as Romulus and Remus, Julius Caesar, the Vestal Virgins, Cicero, Marc Antonio, and Cleopatra. The incredible story of the rise of Julius Caesar and his final bloody demise will tie several sites together during this tour in a surprising way. The workings of ancient Rome come to life in the Roman Forum and Coliseum when we describe to you the amazing mechanations that made this city the most advanced and splendid in the world, yet with an unsatiable yearning for entertainment and luxury. Of course not everyone lived in the lap of luxury and we will tell you their story too from gladiators and slaves to priests and priestesses, this world will come to life.
Moving up to the Campidoglio Piazza we will enter the world of the Renaissance where Michelangelo made his great homage to the government civic heart of Rome, giving a great location to tie in the workings of Ancient Rome, through the Renaissance and up into the modern day. Passing through pedestrian only cobblestone streets we will head into the historic center where you can see the highlights of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Time to take a well needed rest for one of our favorite places for pizza or for a lunch at a traditional trattoria where you can learn about the food of Rome so that we can store up some energy for the Vatican! Entering the papal city, we will start at the Vatican Museums and visit the highlights of the vast collection since there is not time to see each of the countless treasures within. Starting with the ancient Roman collection we will see the great finds from antiquity. These are the sublime works that inspired Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini to create their great works of art, everything going back to the same source. Armed with the knowledge from a fascinating discussion about the Sistine Chapel we will visit this astounding creation filled with historic references and bizarre symbolism . Next we move on to the Basilica of St. Peter where many wondrous visions await us, from the great Baldacchino of Bernini to the Pietà of Michelangelo. Now you can say you have seen Rome!

Early Roman Christians & Catacombs

This tour will take us to Rome’s catacombs, ancient churches and the pagan dwellings that lie beneath where we will see martyrs, frescoes and divine art such as Michelangelo's famous marble sculpture of Moses. During our walk, we will unravel the facts, myths, and legends from the Dark Ages of Medieval Rome and see how the ancient pagan Rome was transformed by Christianity. Visiting the catacombs is crucial to appreciating the early Christian struggle as well as the profound pagan roots in Rome. The Catacombs which were the underground cemeteries from the 1st to the 5th centuries are found outside of the ancient city walls as burial was forbidden within them. We will also visit the Mamertime Prison, the most ancient prison in Rome, where St Peter and St Paul were allegedly imprisoned and we'll visit the 5th century church St Peter in Chains. This church was first built to house the relic of the chains that bound St Peter while imprisoned in Jerusalem and is famous for containing Michelangelo's dynamic sculpture of Moses. Who does it really represent? We’ll take in the mixture of pagan and christian frescoes in the 5th century ancient Roman rooms excavated under the church of Saints Giovanni and Paolo. We are off to another amazing site with a visit to San Clemente, Rome's tri-level subterranean delight.
A key to understanding the Rome of yesterday and today we’ll explore sites of importance to both ancient Christians and Pagans and to Romans today. Entering San Clemente at its 12th century street level we go underground to see the remarkable remains of its 4th century foundations before descending further down into the heart of pagan Rome where the mysteries of the 1st century Temple of Mithras and an ancient aquaduct is still flowing with spring water.

An Evening Stroll, As the Romans Do

Romans are famous for La Passeggiata, a traditional evening stroll through the main streets and piazzas in the historic center taken at Rome's most enchanting time of day, dusk. This ritual walk is a great orientation to the city and features some of the greatest highlights of Baroque, Renaissance and Ancient Rome. While winding through Rome's picturesque streets, we will be stopping at lovely piazzas, fountains and palaces, eating a gelato or taking an apertivo along the way. We'll begin our leisurely stroll in the area of Campo dei Fiori, a part of the city bustling with Romans going about their days, with numerous artisans and clothing shops and food and wine venues. Campo dei Fiori is one of the most important social piazzas in Rome, a market place brimming with fruit and vegetables by day and overflowing with people enjoying aperitifs by night, and punctuated by an impressive monument to the 1600 execution of Giordano Bruno. Nearby we'll see the Palazzo della Cancelleria and the Palazzo Farnese, both built by wealthy cardinals before continuing on to the Theatre of Marcellus, planned by Julius Caesar. Emerging from this archaeological area we'll see the Portico of Octavia, once a massive rectangular portico, which enclosed two temples dedicated to Jupiter and Juno and an entry way into the ex-Jewish Ghetto.
We'll talk about the history of this quarter as we walk its center street flanked by restaurants, bakeries, and pizza makers, on our way to the Turtle Fountain. Situated in a tiny piazza, this fountain attracts many people for it elegance and tortoises added by Bernini in 1658. From here we may pass by Largo Argentina on our way to the Pantheon. Perhaps, we'll stop along the way for a coffee at Rome's most famous coffee bar while weaving our web through the city center arriving at the most famous Roman piazza, Piazza Navona. Here we'll take in Bernini's fabulous Fountain of the Four Rivers and Borromini's church of Sant'Agnese discussing these masterpieces and artists of yesterday now surrounded by wine bars, street artists, and galleries. From here we make our way to our final destination, enter the church of Sant Ignazio for a surprise before arriving at the abundant waters of the Trevi Fountain where we will see the colossal and relief sculptures and uncover their hidden symbolism. Before parting ways, we'll throw a coin over our shoulders into the fountain to bring good luck and ensure a return visit to Rome!

Hidden Treasures- From the Sublime to the Bizarre

Appreciate the curious and mysterious details, symbols and treasures left behind by the artists and craftsmen of the past? Looking for the secrets the guide books couldn't tell you how to find even if they knew they were there? Let us take you beyond the beaten path to the Hidden Treasures and Secret Symbols within a series of churches and piazzas. We start out at Santa Maria Maggiore, one of four papal churches in Rome dating back to the 5th century. Stunning mosaics, grand tombs and altars adorn this church in honor of Mary. Learn about the history of the church as well as bizarre legends revolving around the construction of the church, breast milk of the virgin, cannon barrels and unibrows. This church is so old they thought that Jesus and Mary had dark brown hair! Off to Piazza Repubblica, a downright scandalous fountain which once was surrounded by a ten foot wall so that no one could see it. Into Santa Maria degli Angeli with Michelangelo's impressive architecture, where you will learn about how the Ancient Romans bathed and other fun facts, as well as a hole in the wall. Up the street to Largo Santa Susanna, we will stop to see one of the most exquisite...and raciest sculpture by Bernini of St. Teresa in Ecstasy. Next we will visit a famous merman in a sea shell.
Some bees will point us in the direction of the creepiest site in Rome, the Cappucine Bone Crypt, which is best left seen to believe. From bones we visit a holy painting to ask Michelangelo out how many cherubs it takes to lift a virgin up to heaven...From here we can take the high road for stunning views and a story about dragons breathing fire, or the low road to discover more strange mysteries about baboons, racy sculptures and hidden works of art. At the end we come to the piazza most rife with secrets and symbols in all of Rome. All along, dragons, eagles and bumblebees lead the way...

Fabulous Rome-Highlights of the City Center

This walk takes you through the historic city center of Rome, unmatched by no other city in the world, where stunning piazzas filled with theatrical fountains, dramatic Baroque and Renaissance palaces of the nobility and churches filled with artistic masterpieces are all connected by tiny and charming cobblestone streets, making for a wonderful visit to be remembered for a life time. Seeing these sites is only half the joy- the other half is hearing the intriguing history of the people who created them, from the most powerful popes and nobles like Sixtus IV and Urban VIII to the art stars of the times, such as Raphael and Michelangelo, the ever feuding and famous rivals Bernini and Borromini, and the wild genius of Caravaggio. Works of each of these great artists will be seen along the way. We will visit many well known sites such as the ancient Roman Pantheon and the Baroque Spanish Steps, as well as off the beaten path sites of a secret monastery garden and a nearly hidden, yet giant remnant of the ancient aqueduct system. It is our pleasure to reveal the most interesting details, legends and bizarre truths that are to be found in this amazing city center.
An important part of visiting Rome is a stop for a culinary treat such as a creamy espresso or cappuccino at Tazza D'oro or a delicious gelato at an artisan ice cream producer. Come on this delightful stroll with us and delight in a vision and memory of resplendent Rome, replete with stories of virgins and fountains, Papal bumblebees, artistic genius, rivalry and revenge that reveal the truths, facts and legends of Rome’s historic heart.

Trastevere & the Former Jewish Ghetto

Two often-overlooked neighborhoods of Rome are lovely Trastevere and the ex-Jewish Ghetto. Starting at the piazza of Campo dei Fiori, we will explore the roots of the Empire, Christianity in Rome, the fall of Rome, and the re-urbanization of Rome since the Renaissance. Walking along the side streets of Trastevere and the Old Jewish Quarter, we will observe buildings, monuments, artisans’ houses and workshops that demonstrate the intertwined history of Rome and these charming, medieval and historic districts. In Trastevere, we will spend time in the most beautiful and important churches and piazzas including Santa Maria in Trastevere, the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome. Inside we will reveal the symbolism in the brilliant mosaics both ancient and medieval while discussing Trastevere's ancient past and its importance to the Roman Jewish community. We will cross the river to Tiber Island, which since ancient times has been dedicated to health. On the island stands a hospital, referring back to its tradition as a place of healing, and the Temple of Asclepios, god of medicine, whose staff is still the symbol of pharmacies today! From the island we'll come to the ex-Jewish Ghetto, the heart of Jewish culture in Rome.
Rome's Jewish community has always been one of the largest in the world and is the longest continuous Jewish population. Understanding and experiencing this quarter is key to understanding Rome's history and the roots from which Christianity grew. Today it is a thriving, lively, and popular section of the historical center where people come to admire its uniquely beautiful monuments and savor the city's most authentic cuisine. Our stroll through small piazzas decorated with fountains, palaces and churches shows how the area retains an atmosphere of old Rome. We will visit sites such as the Portico of Octavia, once a rectangular portico with approximately 300 columns, Teatro Marcello, and Piazza 16 Ottobre 1943 where we will discuss Roman and Papal politics during World War II. We'll end our tour by the monumental Great Synagogue constructed after 1870 when Papal rule ended. Those who would like to enter the synagogue can do so with a guide from the Jewish Museum as required.

Drawing or Watercolor Field Day in Rome

For beginners or artists, this is a wonderful way to spend the day in Rome. You will spend the day with Concetta painting or sketching your own impressions of the Eternal City to bring home with you. Concetta's knowledge of vantage points in the city where one can sit undisturbed, and out of the sun or rain are a great vantage.

Whatever your skill level, Concetta will help you to tackle composition, proportion, and develop your artistic potential. A selection of sites both excitingly appealing for their beauty and historic significance and comfortably sheltered from sun or rain will be offered by Concetta for you to choose from—you’ll benefit from her knowledge of vantage points in the city where one can sit undisturbed while making your artistic creation. She recommends either an outing in the morning or afternoon in order to appreciate the amazingly different quality of Rome’s light.

For an alternative itinerary, indoor museum visits can also be arranged to draw from the incredibile masterpieces at hand in Rome, ranging from ancient to Renaissance to Neoclassical art.
Full day itineraries and trips outside of Rome are also available upon request to nature reserves, medieval towns, or ancient Roman sites. The lovely ancient city of Ostia Antica makes a great trip for drawing and painting, its verdant peaceful calm coupled with evocative Roman ruins offer endless amounts of inspiration.

2 Day Rome Highlights, Cultural and Culinary Delights

Let's immerse ourselves in the cultural, historical and culinary highlights of Rome. We'll stroll along the streets and passageways of Rome, visiting the most important sites over 2 exciting days. From the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica to the Coliseum and Pantheon, we'll experience some of the world's most beautiful artwork and explore the mysteries of the Ancient World through numerous archeological sites. We'll take a wonderful stroll through uncountable Piazzas and Fountains dotted throughout the center of Renaissance and Baroque Rome and Trastevere. Let us reveal a complete vision of Rome with its hidden symbolism, palaces of the popes and nobility as well as the greatest works of art by Bernini, Raphael, Michelangelo and Borromini, bringing to life the history and stories as they happened in the Eternal City of Rome.

We can't spend two days together without breaking for some mouthwatering food and learn about the cuisine of Rome.
During this tour we will have time to savor some of the culinary delights of Rome by taking a little break now and then to visit our favorite place for gelato, the most prized coffee shop in Rome for an espresso or cappucino and to share an excellent lunch at one of our favorite pizzerias or restaurants. Perhaps we'll eat a traditional Italian meal from appetizer, to second course with wine, dessert, and coffee or if we like we can savor a Roman style thin crust pizza before continuing on with our day. Perhaps you'd like to end the day with a glass of wine at our of our favorite wine bar.

Angel's View Sunset Walk

This romantic tour at dusk is a great way to get oriented to Rome from on high. We will introduce you to Rome from the high points across the city witnessing breathtaking views. We begin in the heart of the city at Michelangelo's Campidoglio Piazza on the summit of the ancient Capitoline Hill. This small square feels like an intimate terrace magically floating above the city. Surrounded by stately palaces it embodies all things Renaissance and features highlights of Ancient Roman colossal sculptures. After climbing some well hidden staircases past a monastery, we will tuck into a secret cafe where we'll sip on a glass of Prosecco while being dazzled by an indescribable panoramic view of the entire ancient city from the Roman and Imperial Forums to the Column of Trajan, from the Colosseum to the Arch of Constantine. Once we finish our cocktail, we will stop in the awe inspiring church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli to see the ancient pagan columns and the famously worshipped baby jesus sculpture. Leaving the Capital Hill, we will get a closeup look at the monuments of Trajan's Forum, and learn about the Emperor Trajan as we pass by the ancient ruins of the Markets of Trajan, a shopping mall built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, and the Column of Trajan, a 98 ft. tall victory column.
The scenes of war played out on this column give us a great vision into ancient Rome like a massive movie reel spiraling into the sky. We will continue meandering along the back streets arriving at the Piazza del Quirinale and the Presidential Palace which graces us with another gorgeous view of Rome before ending up at the lovely Villa Borghese with its amazing view of Piazza del Popolo and the domes and cupolas of Rome. Descending down the stairs that frame the Piazza we find ourselves in the middle of Roman nightlife where there are countless restaurants and bars for your continued enjoyment. Let us know if you would like us to make a reservation at an excellent restaurant near by.

Angels & Demons and Rome Highlights Full Day Tour

One of the most exciting and difficult things regarding history is to separate fact from fiction. History often hands down the story of the winners while many other true stories are lost in the folds of time. This tour follows the story of Dan Brown's exciting thriller Angels and Demons and stops at each of the key sites in the book, on a bewildering journey from the partical accelerators of the Swiss CERN labs to the mysterious inner-workings of the papal elections. Let our guides unwind the twisted strands of this complex story. Learn about the Vatican's arcane politics and the Baroque intrigues between the Papacy and the secret society of the Illuminati. Above all, experience the powerful and often propagandistic works of artistic genius that fuel the backdrop of the historical combat between the symbols of science and faith. These tours combine a fascinating blend of art, history, and political machination that bring the past to life as we unfold the tapestry of Rome through the record of its artists, clerics, scientists and nobles.
Along the way you will see many of the most famous sites in Rome while visiting some of the most fascinating off the beaten path sites as well, in a fun and interesting way to gaining an in-depth knowledge of Rome.

We'll visit key monuments including the Four Altars of Science and the Illuminati Lair, bringing each location to life with vivid descriptions from the novel, explanations of fact and fiction, and interesting tales from history as we explore the depths of Rome's world of secret symbolism and amazing works of art. We'll emerge steeped in the evocative history of Rome, seeing it with new eyes and with a set of stories that you will never forget. On this tour we will see all of the sites in the Five Hour Angels and Demons Tour as well as get an exciting overview of the most intriguing Renaissance and Baroque sites of Rome, leaving you feel like you have really seen the city of Rome and its treasures. Obelisks and the works of Bernini lead the way as we explore the cobblestone streets searching for clues to the mystery of the Eternal City. To give your feet a rest we will stop for a delicious Italian meal in a restaurant selected by your guide for its authentic Roman cuisine.

Angels & Demons Secrets of Rome

On this tour, based on Dan Brown's exciting thriller Angels and Demons, our focus will be on the art, history, scandals and secret symbolism of the Eternal City. One of the most exciting and difficult things about history is separating fact from fiction. History often hands down the story of the winners while many other true stories are lost in the folds of time. This tour follows Angels and Demons' bewildering journey from the particle accelerators of the Swiss CERN labs to the mysterious inner-workings of the papal elections, stopping at key sites in the book as our guide unwinds the twisted strands of this complex story. Learn about the Vatican's often dark history, arcane politics and the Baroque intrigues between the Papacy and the secret society of the Illuminati. Above all, experience the powerful and often propagandistic works of artistic genius that illustrated and fueled the historical combat between the symbols of science and faith. These tours bring the past to life with a fascinating blend of art, history, and political machination as we unfold the tapestry of Rome through the record of its artists, clerics, scientists and nobles. Along the way you will visit many Rome’s most famous and most fascinating, off-the-beaten-path sites and gain an in-depth knowledge of the city in a fun and interesting way.
We'll visit key monuments including the Four Altars of Science and the Illuminati Lair, bringing each location to life with vivid descriptions from the novel, explanations of fact and fiction, and interesting tales from history. We'll explore the depths of Rome's world of secret symbolism and amazing artwork. We'll emerge steeped in the evocative history of Rome, seeing it with new eyes and with a set of stories that you will never forget.

Galleria Borghese and Villa Borghese Park

A gem filled with ancient, Renaissance and Baroque art, this 17th-century palace houses one of the greatest private art collections in the world. We can thank the ruthless and irreligious Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of the Borghese Pope Paul V, for this beautiful palazzo and its unparalleled collection. He created the Galleria Borghese as a showcase for his art collection, the first space of its kind, a marvelous palace designed to bring nature inside and lit with the ambient light of the sun. Scipione's fascination with the pagan antiquities that inspired the Renaissance artists led him to become Bernini’s first important patron and one of the earliest collectors of Caravaggio, stooping at nothing to get his hands on his works. Upon entering the museum with our reserved tickets, we will spend two hours visiting the greatest highlights of the collection, including masterpieces by Raphael, Perugino, Caravaggio, Bernini, Correggio and Canova. As we visit Bernini's four early sculptures that were created specifically for this gallery, we will bring to life the drama of their creation that defies the very nature of stone, as well as the myths that inspired him and the controversy that surrounded his work.
His 'Daphne and Apollo' and 'Pluto and Persephone' are some of the most daring and moving sculptures ever created, featuring the tears of the terrified Persephone and the passion of Apollo as he loses his beloved Daphne forever. The Caravaggio room features some of this notorious painter's most famous works that help to tell the story of his dramatic life. We'll see one of his first self-portraits, 'Sick Bacchus', and one of his last, the terrifying 'Head of Goliath' that shows his own decapitated head-a plea to Pope Paul the V to revoke the death sentence that had been laid on his head. Another highlight is one of Canova's best-known works, the scandal-provoking sculpture of the seductive and notorious Pauline Bonaparte. Some of the most fascinating ancient sculptures include colossal heads of the Goddesses Isis and Juno, the Sleeping Hermaphrodite, and a series of rare Roman gladiator portraits in mosaic flooring. The delightful painting gallery features masterpieces ranging from Raphael's sublime 'Deposition of Christ' to Correggio's erotically playful 'Danae'. Frescoed walls, ceilings, and beautiful marble floors complete the effect for your unforgettable visit.Our tour ends with a stroll through the splendid Villa Borghese gardens amidst the former grounds of Pope Paul V's nephew's "country home".

Slow Food and Wine Historical Excursion to Orvieto

The Slow Food City of Orvieto towers over the Umbrian plain, safe upon its steep cliffs of volcanic tufo stone. Naturally protected by this amazing geography, its mysteries are still being discovered as archeologists plumb its fifty-meter deep wells, many dug in antiquity using techniques we have yet to understand. First rising to prominence with the pre-Roman Etruscans, it still proudly carries their history forth with an Etruscan emphasis on friendship, feasts and good wine.

Home to the largest gothic cathedral in Italy, its architecture is an exquisite mix of medieval and renaissance design. As its size is completely restricted by geography, it is blessedly free of modern buildings and has a coherence rarely found in such a large town. An important economic center since Etruscan times, it boasts many artistic masterpieces, such as the frescoes in its cathedral authored by Signorelli, one of Michelangelo's most influential teachers.
These frescoes with their vision of the Apocalypse and the afterlife offer powerful and haunting evocations of the unique moment in history where Europe was beginning to climb out of centuries of darkness.

Your private sommelier and historian will meet you at your hotel and take the train with you to Orvieto which takes just over an hour. On this day-long tour of this magical city you will visit the cathedral and its magnificent Signorelli frescoes, stroll through Orvieto's many pedestrian-only streets visiting a few of the artisan boutiques selling items such as fine hand-painted pottery and woodwork for which Orvieto is justly famous. You will have a private wine tasting in an historic palace featuring an assortment of local Slow Food specialties that highlights the relationship between ancient food and wine traditions. You'll also visit the ancient underground city with its caverns and frightfully deep wells. Lunch will be at one of Orvieto's famed Slow-Food restaurants where you'll find ingredients and dishes difficult or impossible to find in nearby Rome. You'll sample unique local cheeses such as "ubriachone", a wine-aged cheese, as well as cheeses aged in Etruscan caves. Umbria is also known as the green heart of Italy for its oak and chestnut covered hills, bringing wild food in abundance such as boar salami, white or black Umbrian truffles and porcini mushrooms. The afternoon takes you on a tour of Orvieto's medieval and renaissance treasures as well as a gorgeous overlook of the Tiber valley from the city's ruined fortress.

Ostia Antica Half-Day

The beauty of Ancient Ostia and its evocative setting are difficult to describe. Not only are the remains of the ancient baths, apartment buildings and homes incredibly fascinating, but the location in which they are found is extremely beautiful. Not far from the sea, the air is fresh and the forest of tall pine trees creates an otherworldly charm far from the chaos of Rome. The excavations of the city of Ostia make for a delightful visit to one of the best preserved examples of an ancient Roman town, filled with intriguing details like intact mosaics and frescos, beautiful architectural details as well as interesting inscriptions like the one that a fish seller wrote about his competitive neighbor "O, envious one, I will crush you"! Or that of a tavern owner- "Come drink from the Krater", since he was known for his big drinking goblets. Mosaic floors with clear as day depictions of gladiators and wrestlers, a delicate ancient theater, an ancient laundromat and a full service restaurant and bakery all provide fascinating details that bring this ancient site to life.
This once busy port city offers a rare glimpse into the economic and social heart of the Roman Empire and gives a feeling for the ancient world, for its complexity and remarkable sense of modernity, not to mention the sheer fun of wandering the maze-like ruins in search of fascinating discoveries around every corner!

Only a 30-minute train ride from Rome, the ruins of Ostia are as important to the study of daily Roman life as those of its more famous cousin, Pompeii. We will bring the city to life for you!

Ostia Antica Full Day Immersion

We'll start our tour meeting you at your hotel and grab a taxi to the Piramide train station where we get to see an ancient Roman reconstruction of an Egyptian pyramid that dominates the area of the ancient gateway to the road that in ancient times led straight to Ostia, the Roman Port City. We'll use our time on train ride to Ostia Antica to describe the background, history and daily life of this commercial hub. Wandering through this vast well-preserved archeological park immersed in the green fields and pine and cypress forests of the Roman coast, we'll explore Ostia. When we arrive we'll take off on an archaeological adventure to explore what was a thriving port town which was started in 300 BC with a population of 80,000 people at its height. We will enter as the ancients did, greeted by the colossal statue of Minerva Victoria which guarded the entry to the city gates. Four-story or 49 feet high apartment buildings had living quarters above shops, balconies, and mica windows. Being a sophisticated society, there were many public baths providing luxurious and spacious quarters for bathing, exercising and socializing.
Close-by were two fire stations, a barracks, and the local tavern where an ingenious owner inscribed a quote in the mosaic pavement which translates to “Drink wine from the bowl to quench your thirst”. This vibrant port city not only had decadent apartments, taverns and laundry-mats but an impressive Greek-style theater erected by Agrippa with seating for 2,700 people over three levels. Behind the theatre is the merchants' square, a commercial center with over 70 offices ranging from companies of foreign representatives from all over the ancient world to local workers' guilds. A mosaic preserved in the floor outside of each office depicts the corporations specialty from ship repair to dealers of animals from Africa for the games in the Coliseum. While commerce was extremely important, religion was taken just as seriously. Dozens of temples and sanctuaries represented a variety of gods from Hercules and Venus to Yahweh and the Christian God, all mingling together and representative of this incredibly diverse population. They had all their bases covered! At the Temple to Rome and Augustus, the cult statue of Roma as Victory is found inside on a pedestal and a stunning headless statue of Victory. 
An important part of this visit is the small onsite museum featuring many beautiful works of art found on site during decades of excavations including the statue of Mithras Slaying the Bull, from the Baths of Mithras (1^st Century BC) , exquisite sculptures of Venus the Goddess of love, and elaborately carved sarcophagi. Working our way deeper into the site, we'll visit what was once a full production bakery as well as an ancient fast food restaurant which looks like it could still be serving food today! During this tour we can stop for a quick bite to eat at the onsite cafe. We will enter some off the beaten path sites featuring detailed mosaic floors and frescoes and see the remains of a gym (palestra) that even shows boxers, gladiators and an ancient representation of a soccer ball. At the end of the site are the ruins of the ancient Jewish Synagogue.

Tivoli and Hadrian's Villa with Chauffeur

Hugging the hills by the source of the Aniene river, the ancient town of Tivoli has long been famed for its abundant water and cool summer climate. The delightful city center is flanked on one side by a pair of gorgeous villas. The Villa d'Este, one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites is an architectural masterpiece with its elegant formal gardens and hundreds of sparkling fountains, such as the Fountain of the Dragons, the Fountain of Neptune and the Sleeping Nymph Grotto. Home to various European nobles over the centuries it has also hosted famous artists such as composer Franz Lizt. An amazing counterpoint to the stylized elegance of the Villa d'Este is the Neo-Classical Villa Gregoriana built over the falls of the Aniene river where it leaps from the Sabine hills. Nestled in a steep chasm known by the ancients as the "Valley of Hell", it was a site of ancient pagan worship. Ruins cling to its steeps sides, including the ancient Acropolis of Tivoli and Roman temples dedicated to Vesta, the Sibyl, and Tiburnus. An enchanted valley was created with the restructuring of the chasm, incorporating its wild nature with crumbling Roman ruins, serpentine pathways and whimsical early 19th century architecture. Below the town proper is the wondrous imperial estate of Hadrian, one of Rome's most refined emperors.
As a refuge to the chaos of Rome this highly cultured emperor recruited the finest architects of the day to convert a marsh into a palatial estate featuring underground passageways, several baths, theaters, a library, temples and state rooms. This ancient site is not only enormous but also in accordance with Hadrian's philosophic and artistic nature, very harmonious in design, permitting a unique view into the privileged life of the Roman emperors.

Your private driver and private guide will take you on a memorable day-long adventure to this stunning hillside town to visit Hadrian's Villa, the Villa d'Este and the Villa Gregoriana. Lunch can also be a particularly special occasion with a delicious meal at Tivoli's renowned 'Tempio della Sibilla', a gourmet restaurant built completely within the ruins of an ancient Sibylline temple.

Rome Market Visit & Cooking Class

This tour gives you the chance to do something impossible while staying at a hotel: go food shopping for fresh Italian delicacies and cook and eat a wonderful traditional and authentic lunch in a Roman home. We take you to several small family-run gourmet Italian food shops to buy the freshest, most delicious ingredients made in the traditional Roman way. These shops include local vegetable markets, a wine enoteca, a bakery, a fresh pasta shop, a cheese shop and deli. You will learn about a wide variety of classic foods and wines and how to order them. You can shop to take ingredients back home with you as well!

Then we are off to our chef's kitchen where we will prepare a traditional lunch for you, speaking about traditional Italian cuisine, the ingredients used and how to prepare them while sampling some antipasti and prosecco. The grand finale: lunch! Weather permitting we will dine on a private terrace in Rome surrounded by lush plants and a garden rarely experienced by the normal tourist. Otherwise we eat inside in a lovely dining room in your host's home.


Our menus are developed according to what is fresh and in season, and will be made to suit all dietary requirements, so please inform us ahead of time if necessary. If you are interested in specific culinary topics, let us know and we will provide you with the experience you are looking for!

This cooking tour and lunch is approximately five hours. Ingredients for the lunch and wine are included in the cost of the tour. We select excellent wines for this meal. If you would like to try a super Tuscan or a Brunello di Montalcino we can provide this experience for an extra cost. The world is your option!

Rome by the Glass

Are you a follower of Bacchus? Let one of our charming certified sommeliers take you on a tour of Rome's most interesting wine bars for an evening that is part wine-tasting, part history and one hundred percent pleasure. Your wine guide combines a broad knowledge of Italian wines with an unpretentious attitude. As a committed locavores, they'll give you the chance to not only sample some of the historically great wines upon which Italy rests its reputation but also exciting newcomers based on long-forgotten vinaccia, heritage vines quietly begetting great wines below the radar of international critics. You will visit 2 to 3 characteristic wine bars in the heart of Rome. In the course of the evening you will sample at least four different and characteristic Italian wines accompanied by appetizers. The rich history behind the making of Italian wines and a chat about a number of the professional terms and approaches used in tasting wine will be part of your tour. Cost of this tour is 230 Euros excluding wine and appetizers. This allows you to determine together with your sommelier a range within which you would like to remain. Your guide will fit this tour to your budget. Average cost for wine and appetizers is 30 euros per person. Let your guide know if you want to taste higher caliber wines such as Brunello or Super Tuscans.

An Exclusive Wine Experience- The Best in Italian Wine

Drink wine in a cellar that is thousands of years old, experiencing the best wine italy has to offer, in the heart of the Ancient City. From Barolo to Brunello and Amarone to Sagrantino, to wines aged in amphorae we can provide you with the most exclusive wine tasting experience for a memory of a life time. Learn about the history of wine and what makes a unique wine. We will choose an exclusive selection of the best vintages and most excellent producers. We select wine makers who work tirelessly, sometimes in extreme conditions who create boutique, authentic, traditional wines that bring out the best in Terriore. We will tailor make our selection to your desires. We can arrange vertical tastings, or tastings of four or five bottles of Italy's top wines. If you have a special request, we will provide it. Otherwise you can let us make the choices for you. We will provide the perfect accompaniment to the wines in a carefully selected assortment of antipasti, meant to bring out the highlights of each wine. This wine tasting is held in an exclusive location, chosen as the perfect accompanyment to exclusive wines.

Culinary Tour with Food Journalist Elizabeth Minchilli

On this tour Elizabeth Helman Minchilli, the author of six books on Italy, who has written for over 40 magazines including Food & Wine, Saveur and Bon Appetit, will lead you on an intensive, food-packed exploration of Rome’s most loved food traditions. While eating and drinking the entire way, of course.

Here is a description of your day: Meet Elizabeth for a cappuccino and cornetti, and start your wonderful conversation about food in Rome. You will start off with a lesson in making a perfect Cappucino! Elizabeth will give you a brief run down on the city’s culinary history and what sets it apart from other Italian regions. You will learn about specific Roman dishes, ingredients and festivals, as well as what defines Roman cooking and what you should look for, and enjoy, while you’re here.


Your first stop is a century-old cookie factory, in the heart of Trastevere where you will learn about the Roman traditions of biscotti, and sample both cookies and cakes, like Brutti Ma Buoni (ugly but good), Torta alla Ricotta (ricotta cake) and Lingue di Gatti (cat’s tongues). Next you'll take a trip across the river to Rome’s Jewish Ghetto. Here you will learn what defines Roman Jewish cuisine, and have a quick demonstration of either Carciofi alla Giudea (deep fried Artichokes) or Fiori Fritti (Stuffed deep fried Zucchini Flowers) depending on the season. With a stop by a traditional Jewish bakery, you will get to taste several unique and historic sweets made only there, including the sweet “jewish pizza. Another quick stop at a local bakery will provide the opportunity to try osse, (bones), and rosette two typical Roman breads and learn about their traditions. Roscioli bakery is considered to be one of the best in the city, and their Pizza Bianca, made with a centuries old starter, is unique. We’ll not only taste this delicious pizza, but get a tour of the bakery. Campo de’ Fiori has one of Rome’s oldest markets, and certainly it’s most beautiful. Here we’ll stroll - and graze – our way through the stalls, exploring seasonal local produce and how it influences Roman cooking. Next stop: Norcineria Viola's pork heaven. This store has been specializing in cured meats for over a century. Salamis, prosciutti, sausages, pancetta and guanciale hang from the ceiling and cover every surface of this shop. We’ll choose a few things to nibble on while we have our aperitivo before lunch. With a stop at an outside café (weather permitting) for an aperitivo, as you sip prosecco, Campari or spritz, we’ll nibble our goodies from Viola while Elizabeth tell's you a little about Italian cocktails and aperitivi. One of the most important parts of the day is Lunch: it’s hard to choose where to eat, so we’ll let you decide. You can choose from:

-A Working Class Trattoria: Paper covered tables, with dishes like Carbonara and gnocchi, followed by coda alla vacinara, pollo alla caciatora or other Roman specialities. Big hearty portions of simple, delicious, Roman cooking.

or

-An Enoteca: Located on the ground floor of a palazzo, this restaurant has one of Rome’s best cellars. You can either choose from the list yourself, or the sommelier can lead us on a tasting to accompany the menu.

After all this eating (and drinking) we’ll need a pick-me-up, so will head to one of Elizabeth's favorite Torrefazione for an excellent café. Rome is currently in the throws of a gelato renaissance. We’ll visit one of the best, that uses artisanal ingredients to craft some of the creamiest gelato in town!

Rome Food Lovers Tour

Italy is a food mecca. Each city has its own unique dishes and traditions handed down from generation to generation. During our Food Lovers Tour, we'll discover the best food in Rome, from coffee and cornetti to pizza and gelato as we make our way through the historic center of Rome, snacking all the while we learn about Roman culinary traditions, past and present, and Rome's street food.

What better way to start our walk than by drinking what is hands down the best coffee in Rome? Close to the Pantheon we'll find one of Rome’s historical coffee bars. The history of these establishments, the ritual coffee plays in Roman life, and what it is that makes a perfect espresso or cappuccino will be explored. If the roasting schedule coincides with our visit, we will have the opportunity to see a roasting demonstration before savoring a delicious coffee.

Rome is experiencing a Renaissance of mouth watering artisan chocolates found in a few boutique chocolate shops.
With the passing of time and Rome’s popularity as a tourist destination, true artisans are hard to come by so this stop is a true treat!

Italian bread is a staple of the Roman diet yet outstanding traditional bread-making is only found in a few places. We'll visit a bread maker where we'll sample fresh from the oven pizza al taglio or pizza by the slice as we know it. At this historical shop we'll soak in the ambience while munching on a few local pizza varieties like pizza rossa.

Our tour wouldn't be complete without a gelato at a family-run, small artiginale gelateria. Here we will have the chance to watch gelato being made while we talk about the art and history of gelato making in Italy. Witness first hand what the most delicious and creative gelato in Rome is made from and what distinguishes it from the more readily found commercial variety.

We will end our walk at the former Jewish Ghetto, where we will sample some of the scrumptious pastries and renowned fried tidbits which make up a large part of traditional Roman fare and are intrinsically tied to the longstanding Jewish community. At the end of this tour, we will grab a glass of wine and give you a list of the best coffee bars, bakeries, and gelaterias in the historical center.

Roam like a Roman: Group Wine Tasting in the Historic Center

Great for everyone from the wine novice to the oenophile, this tour is for wine lovers who want to have a fun night out, and experience an authentic Roman atmosphere in the beautiful historic center of Rome. You will visit two distinct enotecas- The first is the oldest in Rome, and gives an idea of a traditional rustic 'Vino-Olio' locale, before the modern invention of the enoteca. Walking cobblestone streets you will arrive at the second, more modern locale, which gives a great sense of how the wine bar has developed over time. Both feature great atmospheres and have excellent selections of wine. Your sommelier~historian will guide you through a selection of wines from the most important wine making regions of Italy explaining the history of wine making and its traditional and modern developments. You will enjoy five full glasses of wine from the most important wine making regions, from North to South and come to know your own personal preferences for wines, where they are from and how to buy them. Understand what makes Italian wines distinctive from others and how Terroir, or the land makes the wine.
Your sommelier will select an assortment of antipasti, featuring the best Slow Food seasonal products of the region including salumi and cheeses, all chosen as the best accompaniment to each of the wines, and at another you can experience a Roman appertivo selection of foods. Most people do not need dinner after this great experience! The cost of wines and antipasti are included in the tour.

DOC Lazio Food and Wine of the Castelli Romani

For a day out of Rome featuring DOC Lazio Food and Wine, ancient and medieval history and beautiful countryside, join our sommelier and food and wine expert on a chauffeured trip to the Ernico Mountains region. Within the walled city of Anagni, the city of the popes, we will visit picturesque monuments, a cathedral featuring an underground crypt with reknowned Medievel frescos, the oratory of St. Beckett built within an ancient Roman Mithraium and take in the stunning views all around the city. Great food is to be found here, a charming fruit and vegetable market and antique shops. Anagni is a gorgeous town in Lazio that is not to be missed. When it comes to choosing a place to eat for lunch, Alatri, the best preserved town in Lazio is the place to go since it has one of the best Osteria in Lazio, Osteria Bacco e Ciacco. Known for its local, organic, fresh ingredients in a traditional Laziale kitchen with a modern twist and an excellent wine menu, it is a hard to find rare gem in small towns like this. This area is famous for the Cesanese del Piglio, Lazio's only DOCG wine.
Founded by the Hernici, who predated the Romans, Alatri features a fascinating rare acropolis from the 6th century BC and huge impressive walls , stone medieval churches dating back to the 5th c BC and charming stone streets and tiny roads. Nestled in the heart of the Hernico hills the views are breathtaking. The Ernico Hills are to be found in the south of Lazio, in the region of Frosinone, and border with Abruzzo. They are both cultural and natural treasure in Lazio with their picturesque mountains which are perfect for hiking, and birdwatching, skiing. There are 16 historical towns that make up the mountain community.The area is named after a pre-Roman culture that once resided in the area, the Hernico, who were eventually assimilated and swallowed into the Roman empire. Recently the cantina of Marcus Aurelius was discovered here- so people have been coming to this area for millennia for wine and food!

Castelli Vineyards & Villages with Chauffeur

A mere thirty minute drive from the center of Rome, past the evocative ruins of the aqueducts the plain gives way to the Alban hills and their patchwork of chestnut forests and graceful vineyards. Topped by the medieval villages of the Castelli Romani, they speak of another, more ancient world. For thousands of years this area has been a refuge from the chaos of the city. Joined by scenic country roads, this network of villages make for a delightful day trip.

This region so close to Rome holds an astonishing variety of history and geography. The ruins of Tusculum, once a retreat of wealthy Romans are only minutes from the papal summer palace of Castel Gandolfo. The hill top where the mighty Hannibal once camped with his Elephants is only minutes away from the crater lakes of Albano and Nemi.


Your private driver and private guide will take you by Mercedes car or van for a relaxing tour of the Castelli to visit vineyards in Frascati, Marino or Genzano and tour several Castelli towns including the charming lakeside village of Nemi, home to the remains of Caligula's crater lake party boat.

Each of the Castelli towns is famous for its own culinary specialties. Its natural abundance of wild boar, forest berries, chestnuts and porcini mushrooms make it much beloved by Romans as a weekend gastronomic retreat. The tour takes full advantage of this fact with a mid-day stop at an authentic Castelli trattoria chosen by your guide for its excellent cuisine.

Rome Highlights Tour with Chauffeur

This tour is with a knowledgeable English speaking chauffeur-guide who can take you to see the many splendors of Rome in a full day. You will have time to stop at one of our favorite restaurants for a delicious traditional Roman lunch mid-day in order to get the full Roman experience. We can provide reserved tickets. Your chauffeur-guide will take you to see many sites around the city to take advantage of views, historic sites and architectural wonders. This tour is fully customized to create a perfect day for you so let us know if you have specific requests. The itinerary can be focused on the highlights of Rome sites such as the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Vatican from the outside, as well as areas within the city center such as the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona and Pantheon. Your chauffeur will stop to let you visit the interiors of sites on your own if you like. We can also provide you with a tour of the Vatican Museums with pre reserved tickets. On this tour you will see the most intriguing churches, and historic and archeological sites with your guide to learn their fascinating history and get a great overview of the city. Other tours can be done such as the Angels and Demons, Catacombs and Appian Way, or Ostia Antica.
We can custom design a tour for you such as the Ancient Sites of Rome, the Renaissance and Baroque City, Early Christian Sites, the Cardinal Churches of Rome or the Splendid Views of Rome and off the beaten path sites. We take special requests and can customize this tour to meet your needs!

Full Day Chauffeured Rome Tour with Private Guide

This tour is with a private professional guide who can get out of the car with you to visit sites that cannot be reached by car and is fully customized to create a perfect day for you. Your guide can take you into sites such as the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and areas within the city center such as the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Pantheon. The itinerary can be focused on the Highlights of Rome such as the St. Peter's Basilica, the Coliseum and Roman Forum and the Fabulous Piazzas and Fountains such as Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps and the Pantheon. We can also provide you with a tour of the Vatican Museums with pre reserved tickets. On this tour you can enter the most intriguing churches, and historic and archeological sites with your guide to learn their fascinating history and get a great overview of the city. Other tours can be done such as the Angels and Demons, Catacombs and Appian Way, or Ostia Antica. We can custom design a tour for you such as the Ancient Sites of Rome, the Renaissance and Baroque City, Early Christian Sites, the Cardinal Churches of Rome or the Splendid Views of Rome and off the beaten path sites. Your chauffeur will take you near key sites in the historic center which cannot be reached by car and your guide will take you to the site.
We take special requests and can customize this tour to meet your needs! Midday your guide will take you to one of our personally favored restaurants known for its excellent atmosphere and authentic Roman food.