Colosseum to Pantheon

Tour Code: MT-ROM-PH1
Scheduled Departures : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 9:30 pm
Private Departures : Fridays at 9:30 pm
Duration: 4 hrs.
Departure: At the Kiosk newsstand outside the metro entrance, across from the Coliseum
End : Pantheon
Cost: 125.00€ p/p (300€ private up to 4 people)

The Coliseum is one of the world’s most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering.

The Foro Romano, or Roman Forum, was the focal point of the city for early Romans. It wasthe center for commercial, political, and civil activities and contained markets, prisons, statues, entertainment areas, temples and monuments built by various emperors. Perhaps more than any other Roman ruin, the Forum with its great temples and arches gives us a glimpse into both the architectural and political power of Rome during the time of the emperors and is the perfect outdoor classroom to make exciting and memorable photographsof one of the world's greatest historic sites.

The Campidoglio is a remarkable square and an urban masterpiece designed by Michelangelo. At the center of the square stands the great bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

The Pantheon is a building in Rome that was begun in 27 BC by the statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. It was completely rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian sometime between AD 118 and 128. It is remarkable for its size, its construction, and its design. The dome was the largest built until modern times, measuring about 142 feet (43 m) in diameter, and rising to a heightof 71 feet (22 m) above its base. It was dedicated in AD 609 as the Church of the Santa Maria Rotonda, orad Martyrs, which it remains today. The tomb of Raphael is found inside.

Piazza Navona is a marvel of light and sculpture. It is exceptionally long and owes its shape to the ruins that formed it, for under the buildings that surround Piazza Navona are the remains of the Circus Domitianus, Domitian's stadium -- a part of which can still be seen. The piazza features many fine old buildings,a beautiful church and three stunning fountains. In the centre of the piazza is Bernini's most spectacular fountain, la Fontana dei Fiumi (Four Rivers) erectedin 1651. Piazza Navona is an extremely lively place with open-air cafes around it. During the summer, numerousartists draw or paint members of the public for a fee. The place is crowded each day and there are often buskers and sometimes mimes to entertain.

Pantheon to St Peters

Tour Code: MT-ROM-PH2
Scheduled Departures : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 3:30 pm
Private Departures : Fridays at 3:30 pm
Duration: 4 hrs.
Departure: In front of MacDonald’s restaurant in the Pantheon Square
End : St. Peter’s Square
Cost: 125.00€ p/p or (300€ private up to 4 people)

Piazza Navona is a marvel of light and sculpture. It is exceptionally long and owes its shape to the ruins that formed it, for under the buildings that surround Piazza Navona are the remains of the Circus Domitianus, Domitian's stadium -- a part of which can still be seen. The piazza features many fine old buildings, a beautiful church and three stunning fountains. In the centre of the piazza is Bernini's most spectacular fountain, la Fontana dei Fiumi (Four Rivers) erected in 1651. Piazza Navona is an extremely lively place with open-air cafes around it. During the summer, numerous artists draw or paint members of the public for a fee. The place is crowded each day and there are often buskers and sometimes mimes to entertain.

Castel Sant'Angelo was built, as was the Elian Bridge in front, by the Emperor Hadrian (117-138) as a Mausoleum for himself and his successors. Antoninus Pius completed it in 139. In 271, the Emperor Aurelian incorporated the pile into the defense system he designed: it lost its function as a tomb to become a fortress. In 1277, it was occupied by Nicholas II who connected it to the Vatican by the famous corridor, a safety passage which runs along the top of the encircling wall of the Vatican. Henceforth, it remained under the control of the Popes who used it as a fortress, to impress, but also as a prison and a place for torture. The bridge in front crosses the Tiber River and is adorned by some of Bernini's most beautiful and interesting statues.

St. Peter's Square is one of Rome's greatest sites, visited by millions of tourists and faithful. The splendid square and colonnade, Bernini's finest work, form a superb entryway to the greatest church of Christendom, dominated by the magnificent Dome of Michelangelo. Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana carried out the construction of this basilica, plagued by numerous obstacles and problems. The basilica rises over the foundations of a paleochristian Church, which, according to tradition, was built over the tomb of the Martyred Apostle Peter.

Private Tours

Tour Code: MT-ROM-PH5
Departures : On Request June - October
Private Departures : Fridays at 3:30 pm
Cost: On Request

4 Night Package

• Airport Transfers • B&B in ***S Hotel • Two Lunches • Farewell Dinner • 3 days with Tony • Personalized coaching • Train to Tivoli

6 Night Package

• Small groups • Airport Transfers • B&B in ***Hotel • Four Lunches • Farewell Dinner • 4 days with Tony • Personalized coaching • Train to Tivoli • Train to Florence

Day 1 - Arrival in Rome

Day 2
We'll begin the tour at St. Peter's Square. This is one of Rome’s greatest sites, visited by millionsof tourists and faithful.The splendid square and colonnade, Bernini's finest work, form a superb entryway to thegreatest church of Christendom, dominated by the magnificent Dome of Michelangelo.

It's a short walk from the St. Peter's Basilica to Castelo Sant'Angelo. Constructed by the Emperor Hadrian(117-138) as a mausoleum for himself and his successors, the Emperor Aurelian rebuilt the ruins into a fortressthat was eventually connected to the Vatican by a safety passage that runs along the top of the encircling wallof the Vatican. Henceforth, it remained under the control of the Popes who used it as a fortress until modern times. Now it is a museum.

Next, we'll cross the Bridge of Angels to the other side of the Tiber River. This bridge is adorned by some of Bernini’s most beautiful and interesting statues, and leads to the true Centro Storico - The Historic Center of Rome. We'll wind our way through cobblestonestreets to Piazza Navona. A marvel of light and sculpture, it is exceptionally long and owes its shape to the ruinsthat formed it, for under the buildings that surroundPiazza Navona are the remains of the Circus Domitianus, Domitian's stadium - a part of which can still be seen.The piazza features many fine old buildings, a beautiful church and three stunning fountains. In the center of the piazza is Bernini's most spectacular fountain, la Fontana dei Fiumi (Four Rivers) erected in 1651. Piazza Navona is an extremely lively place with open-air cafesaround it. During the summer, numerous artists draw or paint members of the public for a fee. The place is crowded each day and there are often buskers and sometimes mimes to entertain.

Time to enjoy a fabulous Italian meal! We have reserved a special place at one of Rome's finest and quaintest trattorias, Antica Taverna. Your host, Paolo, will serve you a bubbly proseco champagne even before you findyour table. Get ready for the treat of a lifetime! Paolo and his chefs have a very special meal planned for you, complete with the finishing touches of espresso or theItalian specialty, grappa. You'll be talking about this feast for months to come!

After lunch, we will photograph the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. The Pantheon was begunin 27 BC by the statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. It fell into ruins but was completely rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian sometime between AD 118 and 128. Itsdome was the largest built until modern times. It was dedicated in AD 609 as the Church of the Santa Maria Rotonda, or ad Martyrs, which it remains today. Thetomb of Raphael is found inside.

The Trevi Fountain (or Fontana di Trevi) in Rome is known the world over as the fountain where Anita Ekberg cooled off at night in Fellini's film "La Dolce Vita." The Trevi Fountain is also famous as the setting for the popular romantic film "Three CoinsIn a Fountain." Located in the heart of Rome’s historic center, the Trevi Fountain derives its name from its position at the intersection of three roads(tre vie). It is one of the world’s most photographed monuments in Rome and many visitors agree that, amongthe many ancient buildings of Baroque Rome, the TreviFountain is unrivalled as a spectacular aquatic structure. It is a popular meeting or gathering spot for Romans and visitors alike.

The Spanish Steps (or Scalinata della Trinita' dei Monti) are a majestic series of three flights of stepsthat lead up to the impressive double-bell towered church (before which stands an obelisk). An intriguing fountainsits at the bottom of the steps that always has peoplearound it puzzling over its peculiarities. This is la Fontana della Barcaccia that is set very low, almost at street level, in order to function with the low water pressure that arrives there. The water is potable and you will see people filling their water bottles constantly.

Day 3
Today, we'll get up early and travel by train outside of Rome to the charming mountain town of Tivoli, the favorite holiday resort for the Romans of the past. Here, you will visit Hadrian's Villa, where natural beauty, architectural creativity, art and history blend together in a magic place which has no equal in Europe. The largest country villa of the Imperial age, this complex exemplifies the genius of Hadrian and the skillful way his architects planned this fascinating place. The Island Villa, the Piazza d'Oro, the Small Baths, and the Canopus are the highlights of the villa, constructed in the beginning of the 2nd century A.D. on an area twice the size of Pompeii and larger than Nero’s famous Domus Aurea. The entire complex was built to remind Hadrian of the places he most loved during his many voyages to Greece and the Near East, and has influenced many artists from the Renaissance onwards.

We'll have lunch in Tivoli at the famous Ristorante La Sibilla, where you will dine where the "famous" have dined. Who knows, maybe you'll sit at the same table that the King of Prussia, Gabriele D'annunzio, the Emperor of Japan Hirohito, or Neil Armstrong dined.

After lunch, we'll return to Rome where you will have ample free time for the rest of the day to stroll down Via Veneto and shop, or just enjoy a cappuccino in one of a million delightful sidewalk cafes. Tony will be happy to suggest several good restaurants for dinner.

Day 4
For our 4-Night participants, we'll start the day early to catch the sunrise at the Roman Forum (our 6-nighttour participants can sleep in!). Then at 9:00am we'll see The Campidoglio, a remarkable square and an urban masterpiece designed by Michelangelo. At the center of the square stands the great bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

Then down into the Roman Forum, the focal point of the city in ancient Rome. It was the center for commercial, political, and civil activities and contained markets,prisons, statues, entertainment areas, temples and monuments built by various emperors. Perhaps more than any other Roman ruin, the Forum with its great temples and arches gives us a glimpse into both the architectural and political power of Rome during the time of the emperors and is the perfect outdoor classroom to make exciting and memorable photographs of one of the world's greatest historic sites. Photographing the forum will surely be one ofthe highlights of your tour.

Finally, we'll walk out of the Roman Forum to the Coliseum, one of the world’s most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architectureand engineering.

The rest of the day is yours to wander and explore Rome. Tony can suggest several excellent places to grab a snack or have a pizza.

Rome after sunset is magical and we would be remiss if we didn't include a special Twilight Photo Session. We'll move around a bit, from one side of the Tiber River to the other, capturing the fleeting light as it gives way to the artfully designed artificial lights that bathe the Castel Sant'Angelo, The Bridge of Angels and the Tiber River. Although large tripods are generally forbidden in Rome, a small table-top tripod will bejust perfect for this session. But don't worry! We'll show you an easy way to shoot at night without the use of a tripod.

We've reserved dinner at one of Tony's favorite trattorias. Don't forget to bring your camera as well as your appetite! We won't say "good-by" to our 4-Night participants, rather "ci vediamo" - we'll see you again!

Day 5
For those on the 6-night tour, we'll take an early morning train to arrive in Florence in time to catch the Tuscan morning light that makes this city so romantic. We'll photograph the cathedral of Il Duomo, with Brunelleschi's cupola, an architectural masterpiece that has becomethe symbol of Tuscany. Nearby we'll see the Baptistery adorned with Giotto's Doors of Paradise - intricately carved in bronze by the great Renaissance genius. Then, we'll visit Piazza Signoria, dominated by Palazzo Vecchio with its commanding view of Florence and the Arno River that winds lazily through city. We'll walk across the famous Ponte Vecchio, lined with miniature jewelry stores and curio shops.

Along the way we'll have a light lunch at The Golden View Ristorante, with a fabulous panorama of the PonteVecchio and Arno River, just across from the great Ufizi Museum. Don't eat too much, because in the afternoon, we'll walk upward to the magnificent Boboli Gardens, offering spectacular panoramas of Florence, the Arno River, Il Duomo, and the towers of the Bargello and Palazzo Vecchio. Our train back to Rome leaves in the late afternoon, getting us back in time for a late dinner. Tony can suggest several fine restaurants near your hotel.

Day 6

We'll start the day early to catch the sunrise at the Roman Forum. At 9:00am we'llsee The Campidoglio, a remarkable square and an urban masterpiece designed by Michelangelo. At the center of the square stands the great bronze equestrian statueof Marcus Aurelius.

Then down into the Roman Forum, the focal point of the city in ancient Rome. It was the center for commercial, political, and civil activities and contained markets, prisons, statues, entertainment areas, temples and monuments built by various emperors. Perhaps more than any other Roman ruin, the Forum with its great temples and arches gives us a glimpse into both the architectural and political power of Rome during the time of the emperors and isthe perfect outdoor classroom to make exciting and memorable photographs of one of the world's greatest historicsites. Photographing the forum will surely be one ofthe highlights of your tour.

Finally, we'll walk out of the Roman Forum to the Coliseum, one of the world’s most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering.

The rest of the day is yours to wander and explore Rome. Tony can suggest several excellent places to graba snack or have a pizza.

"Ci Vediamo" - Farewell, until next time