Best of Rome Private Tour with Hotel Pick-Up

Located just steps away from the Pantheon, the Basilica of Saint Mary Above Minerva was named fittingly, as it was built directly above the ruins of a temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis, who took the name Minerva in Greco-Roman mythology. The medieval church took on some Baroque and Renaissance style adjustments over the centuries, including some brilliant artistic embellishments. Francesco Lippi frescoed the ceiling in the 15th century while Michelangelo contributed his marble sculpture of “Christ Carrying the Cross” in 1521. Bernini also made his mark here when he erected his “Pulcino della Minerva”, a sturdy elephant sculpture with an obelisk on top, in front of the church in 1667.

The Pantheon is undoubtedly one of Rome’s most magnificent destinations, boasting both unique architecture and rich history. During our morning tours we will step inside to admire the oculus (the open hole in the center of the dome ceiling), the slanted marble floors, and the tomb of the famous Renaissance artist Raphael Sanzio. For evening hours, the Pantheon doors will be closed – but there is much to admire from the outside as well. The Pantheon we see today was built under the command of Emperor Hadrian in 126 AD, and its dome remains to be the largest unsupported dome in the world. The temple-style portico is made up of massive monolithic columns that were imported all the way from Egypt. Needless to say, the surrounding Piazza della Rotonda is a perfectly picturesque place to pause and ponder the 2,000-year-old structure and the advanced abilities of the Ancient Romans.

Since 1869 Campo dei Fiori has served as an important market square, bustling and brimming with marketeers, fruit vendors, and flower sellers every day, with the exception of Sundays. In the evenings it takes on an equally lively ambiance with tourists, locals, and international students mingling together amongst the surrounding bars and restaurants. While for many years the piazza remained empty, as it’s name “field of flowers” suggests, in the mid 15th century its development began. The area was paved and Palazzo Orsini was erected to look over it. It soon became an important commercial area where entrepreneurs and artisans could make and sell their products. From fresh produce to pretty flowers, liqueurs to baked goods, the Campo di Fiori market has what you need!

The popularity of this magnificent piazza grew exponentially in modern times when it was featured in Dan Brown’s thriller novel Angels & Demons in 2000 and later appeared in the popular film adaption in 2008. Nevertheless, this stunning square has a much wider significance. In fact, it is built directly above the 1st century Stadium of Domitian, of which ruins remain below, proving that Piazza Navona was a popular destination even in Ancient Roman times. Today visitors find an elegant cobblestone plaza centered on three beautiful fountains, the largest and most central one being Bernini’s “Fountain of Four Rivers”, nestled perfectly in front of the 17th century baroque church of Sant’ Agnese in Agone.

Tourists travel from every corner of the world to visit Rome – to explore its incomparable collections of art, to admire its impeccable architecture, and to delve into its incredibly rich history. But, let’s not forget, no one plans a visit to Rome without a plan to try some truly authentic Italian gelato! While the Eternal City will undoubtedly bombard you with ice cream shops on every street corner, we want to be sure that you try the real thing. Italians take pride in making their gelato from scratch using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients with no unnecessary additives. We look forward to offering you a truly tasty gelato experience – on us!

In Ancient times this area was heavily occupied by Greek merchant settlers, hence it’s name. Here we will find the oldest surviving marble building of Rome: the Temple of Hercules, which dates back to the 2nd century BC. Its Greek “monopteros” design includes a round temple encircled by columns, 19 of which remain of the original 20. Neighboring the temple is the 8th century Basilica of Santa Maria Cosmedin, which boasts the tallest medieval belfry in Rome but is certainly better known for its feature in the 1953 romantic comedy “Roman Holiday”. This is, indeed, the home of the ancient “Mouth of Truth” sculpture. Legends suggest that if a person swears falsely while their hand is inside the mouth, the mouth will close and sever the hand.

As if the smell of an orange garden weren’t blissful enough, this one comes with a spectacular view, too! Since Aventine Hill is not very central, many tourists unfortunately miss out on its treats and treasures. What’s even better is that you won’t have to climb to get to the top! The lush orange garden offers a fantastic backdrop as you take in one of the most breathtaking views of the city. Get your cameras ready or simply kick your feet up as you gaze over the treetops at St Peter’s dome glistening in the distance.

Take a look at one of Rome’s lesser known – but absolutely brilliant - secret treasures: The Knights of Malta keyhole on Aventine Hill. While unsuspecting tourists pass by without a clue, we’ll guide you directly to the most unique and unusual view of Rome. Located on the door of an unmarked building is the keyhole, but it’s not just any keyhole. When you look through it you will find rows of trees forming a perfect frame to St Peter’s Basilica in the distance. It is a truly spectacular thing to see, as photos simply do not do it justice.

Nestled in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills lay the remains of the largest stadium of Ancient Rome: the Circus Maximus. At a length of 621 meters and width of 118m, this massive venue once hosted up to 150,000 spectators at a time (as opposed to only 50,000 at the Colosseum) for spectacular games, chariot races, and even gladiator battles. Circus Maximus, which dates back to the 6th century BC, is now a public park and is occasionally used as a concert venue for large events such as the Rome concert of Live 8 in 2005 and The Rolling Stones in 2014.

Michelangelo’s 16th century Piazza del Campidoglio sits atop Capitoline Hill at Rome’s very center. The piazza features a grand sculpture of Marcus Aurelius on horseback, which is bordered by Medieval and Renaissance palaces that now house the Capitoline Museum and the modern Mayor’s office. Discover the symbolism behind Michelangelo’s design and why he chose to block the view of the Roman Forum and open the hilltop plaza towards The Vatican and get your cameras ready to capture the extraordinary views of the city below.

Though Nicola Salvi’s Trevi Fountain has been loved and adored since its completion in 1762, fashion house Fendi funded a $2.4 million restoration project in 2015 – which means that the fountain is currently the cleanest it has been in many years! The travertine spectacle, which rests at the end of the ancient Aqua Virgo Aqueduct, has been featured in films throughout the decades, from 1953’s “Roman Holiday” to “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” in 2003. Visitors come from every corner of the world to admire its beauty and capture postcard perfect photographs.

In 1725 the Spanish Steps were opened, connecting the Piazza of Trinità dei Monti, with its towering church, to the lower lying Piazza di Spagna. The 135 steps were built in order to create a link between the Bourbon Spanish Embassy and the Bourbon Kings of France. The plan indeed worked out, making the Spanish Steps a perfect area for the mingling of people of different cultures. Some famous frequenters of the area include many English Romantic poets and writers, like John Keats and Lord Byron. Now, the Steps remain to be a place for resting and socializing, by day and night, where visitors can admire the windows of high-end fashion shops and even Bernini’s “Fountain of the Ugly Boat”.