Rome Full Day Private Tour

The Vatican Museums boasts one of the finest and most extensive art collections in the world; a wonderful blend of exquisite Renaissance masterpieces and fascinating Roman antiquities. The museums were founded by Pope Julius II in 1506 to showcase all the chefs-d'oeuvres accumulated by previous pontifices throughout history and today the collection attract almost 6 million visitors annually. On this tour, we will show you the ultimate highlights of the sprawling museum complex, including the Sistine Chapel, the Pinecone Courtyard, the Gallery of Maps, the Belvedere Torso and much more.

In 1508, Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to fresco the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Since Michelangelo had very little experience in painting, many had attempted to dissuade the pontifex from entrusting the artist with the task and Michelangelo, at his end, was equally reluctant to accept the assignment. The Renaissance master primarily considered himself a sculptor, not a painter, and realised what a technically and physically demanding task it would be for him to complete the 12,000 square feet vault. Luckily, the Pope got his way and the result of Michelangelo’s 4-year struggle was an all-time masterpiece.

St. Peter's Square was built 30 years after the inauguration of St. Peter's Basilica by the famous architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Although the large obelisk and two fountains had previously been installed, the square itself was still largely unfinished. Bernini bounded the ovate square with colonnades, seemingly embracing the visitor, topped with sculptures of 140 saints. The ellipse opens on one side and passes into a trapezoidal square that connects with façade of the basilica. The obelisk, incidentally, comes from the Circus of Nero, where St. Peter was crucified.

Since its inauguration in 1626, St. Peter's Basilica has reigned as Christianity’s holiest site, as well as one of the world's most visited tourist attractions. The stunning exterior of the sacred superstructure is a collaborative work by some of history’s most accomplishes artists, including Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo but it’s what you find within the marble-clad walls that‘s truly impressive. In essence, the Basilica is a veritable treasure trove of Baroque and Renaissance art, including some world-renowned must-sees like Bernini’s 95-foot tall bronze Baldachin and the Pietà, Michelangelo’s most touching sculpture.

In the very core of Rome's ever-bustling heart, we find a beautiful gathering of neighborhoods known as the historic center. The entire area is listed amongst UNESCO's World Heritage Sites and the spectacular monuments found here have made Rome one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Meandering through the city’s narrow alleys is like journeying back in time, everywhere you turn you are enchanted by yet another awe-inspiring vista. You’d probably need a lifetime to see it all, but we have carefully crafted an itinerary including our very favourite fountains, squares and temples.

Even in a city which is brimming with artistic beauty at every corner, the Trevi Fountain stands out as one of the most impressive pieces of them all. The hydraulic masterpiece was designed by Nicola Salvi in the 1700s and is the city’s largest fountain from the Baroque Era. The protagonist is Oceanus, the divine personification of the ocean. You find him right in the center of the fountain, represented as a bearded man, riding in a shell-shaped chariot pulled by two horses. One of the horses is calm and obedient, while the other one is wildly rearing up on its hind legs, representing the different states of the waters of the world.

The Pantheon is one of the greatest monuments of the Roman Empire’s power and ambition, erected in 126 AD by Emperor Hadrian. The monument was originally built as a temple to all the ancient Roman gods but has been used as a Catholic church since the early 600s. Its imposing portico leads into a round hall capped by the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. With the Renaissance masterpieces that adorn the rotunda's walls and the famous Christians buried in the tombs (including painter Raphael), the Pantheon combines the best of Roman mythology and Christian history in a peculiar but glorious blend.

Founded in the 1600s, Piazza Navona is one of the Eternal City’s most stunning examples of Baroque architecture and a definite must-see when in Rome. The unusual elongated form of the square, five times longer than it is wide, reflects the oval shape of the underlying 1st century Domitian Stadium. Today, the entire perimeter of the square is lined with fine restaurants and cozy cafes, where curious tourists perch up to enjoy the lively spectacle of musicians and street artists, who show off their talents here. Above it all, an ancient obelisk towers at the centre of Bernini’s spectacular "Four Rivers Fountain".

After the horrifying reign of wicked Emperor Nero and the great fire in 64 AD, the faith of the Roman people had to be restored while the city was in need of reestablishment and repair. Vespasian was inspired by the crisis to begin the construction on the largest theatre Rome would ever see – the Colosseum. The building commenced in 62 AD and took only 8 years to finish but sadly, Vespasian did not live to see his project completed. Instead, his son Titus inaugurated the amphitheater, celebrating the accomplishment with 100 days of animal hunts, public executions and gladiator games.

The 68-foot tall Arch of Constantine is a striking reminder of the once mighty Roman Empire, standing proudly at the end of the historic Sacred Way on which triumphal emperors would parade and show off their spoils of war. The towering monument was erected in 315 BC in tribute to Constantine the Great's victory against Emperor Maxentius in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge 3 years earlier. Naturally, the arch is lavishly decorated with motifs of scenes from the historical battle, but it also features a surprising amount of statues and reliefs plundered from older monuments, which had been built to honour previous emperors.

The Roman Forum is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, offering its visitors the chance to relive the glory of Ancient Rome as they stroll along the original cobbled streets. There are hundreds of structures scattered around the area, but we’ll take you straight to the most important ones. Among others, you’ll see the Temple of Saturn, the triumphal arches erected in honor of emperors Septimius Severus and Titan, the Temple of Vesta, in which the sacred flame of Rome was guarded by a mysterious cult and the Temple of Caesar, built on site of the famous emperor’s cremation.