Roman Countryside Walk: Catacombs, Aqueducts and Appian Way
Description
An essential part of your Rome itinerary. Take a break from Rome’s crowded, busy center and explore the beautiful outdoors of the Italian countryside. The 3 hours itinerary tour will include: the Catacombs of San Callisto, Appian Way, the ancient structures of Circus Maxentius, the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella (only from outside), the Claudian Aqueduct.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The sightseeing tour begins with a comfortable bus ride to the Roman countryside. Here you will discover the beauty that lies outside of Rome, starting with the infamous Catacombs of San Callisto- among the largest and most important in Italy. This underground cemetery and the burial site of 500,000 Christians and dozens of martyrs and popes is divided into two areas – the crypt of St. Cecilia and the Crypt of the Popes. We continue by bus through the Roman countryside to the next destination – Circus of Maxentius. Although not as renown as Circus Maximus, this well-preserved structure can be found in the lush Caffarella Park.
Next stop on this undiscovered Rome itinerary is an external visit to the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. Located at the top of a hill along Via Appia, this monumental tomb was built to honor the Roman noblewoman during the 1st century B.C.
The last stop on this unique Rome tour is the Claudian Aqueduct. Built in 38 A.D. and completed only 14 years later, it existed as a main water source for Rome, an engineering marvel with arches stretching nearly 70 kilometers. Now part of the Aqueduct Park, Acqua Claudia is regarded as one of the four great aqueducts of Rome.
We continue with a walk through one of the oldest and most significant streets in the world - the Appian Way. Referred to by Romans as the “Queen of Roads”, Via Appia connected Rome to Brindisi in Southern Italy, serving as the main trade route with Greece and the East. Which is why the Appian Way of 300 B.C. is considered one of the greatest engineering works of Ancient Rome civilization.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- If you or any member of your party has difficulty with mobility (uses crutches or a wheelchair, etc.), please contact us in advance. This tour is not wheelchair accessible. Private tours are available to meet these needs, on request.
- Please note, this tour is mostly underground in very narrow spaces, which may be an issue if you or anyone in your party suffers from claustrophobia.
- The taking of photographs is not permitted in the Catacombs.
- Proper dress code is required. Please close your knees and shoulders
Reviews(7)
Katia, our guide, and Mario, our driver, were wonderful. They met us at the meeting point (several other tours met there as well) and walked us over to a van. As we drove to the catacombs Katia narrated what we passed and recommended places for us to visit later. At the catacombs she got our tickets and we joined an English speaking tour led by an archeologist. The tour was informative and we saw many things in the catacombs. Then we drove to the Via Appia & saw several buildings and walked on the Via Appia. Katie explained the buildings and also said Sundays are very busy in the park because Romans come here for recreation. Then we got in the van again and Katia told us more about what we passed (including the Villa dei Quintili) and we arrived at the acquaduct. We got out of the van and walked around here for awhile and Katia explained more to us. Then we got back in the van and Mario drove us back to the meeting point. The catacombs were a little chilly, knees & shoulders should be covered and also you should arrive at the meeting point 25 minutes early.
Dear Client, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with our guide Ktaia, and our driver Mario. We hope to host you again next time! Best Regards, Tours About
It was a really great tour with a knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. Enjoyed that it was a small group tour with only 12 people. Our tour guide even took each couple's picture at the Appian Way and Aqueducts.
Dear Client, Thank you for you feedback. We are delighted that you had a wonderful time. We would be thrilled to host you again soon!
Great tour, great guide and driver. Thoroughly enjoyed it and the guide was very knowledgeable and considerate. Especially enjoyed the catacombs.
Dear Client, Thank you for leaving us a review. We are very happy that you were satisfied with everything during your tour. Come again soon!
Our guide gave us a lot of background history and was very knowledgeable . I would recommend this tour .
DO NOT USE THIS TOUR CO.!! I paid for this tour days in advance of my trip & they cancelled the tour the day before we were scheduled to go. Their email suggested I schedule a different tour, however, they did not offer another tour I was interested in (and my schedule of tours & events did not allow me to reschedule.) so I responded with a request for a refund. Then they ghosted me. No response, no refund. Tried calling them. No answer & their recorded message was only in Italian. (Of course) Left messages. No response. Total rip off. Total bait & switch with no refund effort from them at all. Buyer beware! :-(
Avoid. Cancelled the day before. Did not process refund. No response by phone or text. Booking agent gave up try to contact them after an hour.
A great tour today of the catacombs, Appian Way and aqueducts with Tours About. Was extremely lucky to be in a small group (due to unexpected cancellation) with excellent guide, Marcelo, who was informative and entertaining. One of most enjoyable tours we have done on this holiday. Lynne- Australia
Dear Lynne, Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour with us, and that you found it to be entertaining. We hope that you enjoyed your trip overall, and hope to see you again in Rome sometime in the future. Regards, Customer Services, Tours About
