Best of Vatican & Ancient Rome Tour with Sistine Chapel Colosseum & Forums

Your guide will be waiting at the Colosseum where, with access, you go inside to begin your exploration of this magnificent Ancient Roman amphitheatre.

Next you go outside the Colosseum to see the Arch of Constantine and take a short walk to the Roman Forum.  The forum was the main square of Ancient Rome and the centre of political, religious and social life.   The wonderful buildings that surround the square are testament to its central role in the life of  Rome’s citizens.  You will see the 1st  century Arch of Titus, the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Temple of Saturn, the Senate House, and the white marble Arch of Septimius Severus to name a few.

Then, a walk up the Sacred Way brings you to the Capitoline Hill and Il Vittoriano, one of Italy’s most famous monuments of more modern times. The tour then wends its way to the Trevi Fountain, the backdrop to many a movie scene, including Fellini’s famous La Dolce Vita.  If you wish to come back to Rome, follow legend and throw a coin in the fountain!

At this point in the tour there is a lunch break (at your own expense).  There are numerous eateries in the vicinity should you wish to have pizza, a sandwich or a 3-course lunch. Following lunch you proceed to the Government District to see the Parliament Building, the Palace of the Council of Ministers and the Column of Marcus Aurelius.  Close by is the Temple of Hadrian which was constructed in his honor by the Emperor Antoninus Pius.   A walk through some of Rome’s little alleyways brings you to the Pantheon where the Renaissance painter and architect Raphael is buried.

Another short walk past the Ancient Baths of Nero brings you to Piazza Navona with Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers.

For the final visit of the day you cross the Tiber to the Vatican.  Here you have a tour of the Vatican Museums.

You'll visit the Sistine Chapel where you will see Michelangelo’s famous ceiling frescoes as well works by other Renaissance artists including Raphael.

It is then time for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica where you will explore the numerous side chapels with their hidden crypts. You will see Michelangelo’s Pietà and your guide will explain why this is the only work that he signed. You will gain an appreciation of the mastery that went into the creation of Bernini’s altarpiece and learn how Michelangelo triumphed over his contemporaries for the honour to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome. There is still more to see though below ground level. You guide will lead you below ground to the papal crypt where, over the centuries, many of the Popes have been interred. This special place is a site of pilgrimage for many Catholics. the day finishes in St. Peter’s Square to see the Pope’s apartment and Bernini’s wonderful statues that surround the square.