Next up, you’ll visit the Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum, both located nearby. The Forum was very much the focal point of life in Ancient Rome, a mix of commerce, politics and religion. Located here are the remains of the Arch of Titus, the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Temple of Saturn, the Senate House, and the white marble Arch of Septimius Severus. You’ll then follow the ancient Via Sacra (Sacred Way) to the Capitoline Hill and Il Vittoriano – an iconic neoclassical building of white marble..

A short walk brings you to the beautiful Trevi Fountain; a baroque masterpiece! According to legend, anyone who throws a coin into the fountain and makes a wish is destined to return to Rome one day.

After lunch you’ll see the Government District, which contains the Parliament Building, the Palace of the Council of Ministers and the Column of Marcus Aurelius. The Temple of Hadrian is also located here; this impressive temple was built by Emperor Antonius Pius to honour Hadrian. The tour will then move on to Piazza della Rotunda, where the Pantheon is located. The Pantheon houses the tomb of Raphael, the Renaissance painter and architect.

You’ll then pass the ancient Baths of Nero as you walk to Piazza Navona where you’ll view Bernini’s stunning ‘Fountain of the Four Rivers’.

The final stop on the tour will be the Vatican City.

Here you’ll discover the incredible collections housed in the Vatican Museums, which include frescoes by Raphael, and Michelangelo’s inspiring ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.

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 honor to paint St. Peter’s magnificent dome