Things to do in

Lazio

Try out authentic delicacies as you immerse yourself in the local culture of Rome on a walking tour. Taste unmissable Roman foods such as pizza from a family-run establishment, Supplì (fried mozzarella rice balls), and typical seasonal dishes from Rome’s Jewish Quarter. Meet in Piazza del Biscione before whetting your appetite at a local charcuterie at your first stop. Sample some typical Italian cured meats and some local wine there. Then head off to try Rome's well-known tasty street food, Supplì. Your guide will fill you in on these rice delicacies' 19th-century beginnings and how they earned their name. Next, taste some classic Roman pizza and Menabrea beer at Roscioli, an establishment run by the founder’s grandchildren. After this, you’ll be heading to the Roman Ghetto, Rome’s old Jewish Quarter. Here, sample traditional zucchini flower fritters or carciofi alla giudìa (deep-fried artichokes), depending on what is in season at the time. Finish up the tour with a delicious artisanal gelato at Punto Gelato near Largo di Torre Argentina, the site of four ancient Roman Temples and Pompey’s Theater. Savor the unique northern Italian flavors at a gelateria that featured in Gambero Rosso’s Top 10 list of the best gelato in Rome.  Choose from either a private experience just for your group or a small-group experience. Benefit from personalized insider tips about what to do next in Rome city center after the tour has finished.

Take a stirring journey through art and religious history with skip-the-ticket-line entry to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Avoid the long ticket lines and then enjoy your visit at your own pace.  Wander through the Greek Cross Gallery to see elaborately-carved sarcophagi that might just contain the earthly remains of some of antiquity's famous kings and queens. Peek at the Cabinet of the Masks, or tour the Sala degli Animali to see a virtual menagerie of fantastic beasts, real and imagined. Walk the Upper Galleries, including the Gallery of Maps, to see how cartographers depicted the world through the ages. See masterpieces by Renaissance masters in the Raphael Rooms, and rest for a while in the Borgia Apartments. Then, it’s time to marvel at Michelangelo’s exquisite Sistine Chapel, the crown jewel of the Vatican, and perhaps even of all the world’s art treasures.

Skip the long ticket line and go straight to the fast track entrance for security checks. After entering the Colosseum at your allotted time, relive the stories of emperors and gladiators. Begun under the emperor Vespasian in 72 AD, and completed by his son Titus in 80 AD, the Colosseum was the largest amphitheater ever built. Imagine the ferocious fights between man and beast, as you stand in the elliptical arena, comprised of 4 levels, and once able to seat up to 73,000 spectators. Your ticket also includes one entry to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, must-see sights for all those visiting the “Eternal City.” According to ancient tradition, this is the spot where Rome was born. Look down at the ruins of temples in the Imperial Forum, center of all political, social, and economic life in the city during the Roman Republic. Experience the most ancient parts of Rome from the most significant of its “Seven Hills.”

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed gardens of Villa d'Este, one of the finest examples of 16th-century Italian garden design, at your own pace with this entry ticket and soak up the tranquility of the gardens. As you stroll through the gardens, admire fountains, grottoes, and water lilies. Other highlights include an organ that produces sound effects through the water. You can also visit the complex's palace which was built for Ippolito II d'Este and painted by famous artists. The whole complex was designed by architect Pirro Ligorio and took more than 20 years to complete. Immortalize your visit and make your friends or family green with envy by sending them a Pemcard, a digital photo that you can send as a real postcard to anywhere in the world.

Start your experience at the local partner's office, where you'll pick up your tickets and enjoy a 25-minute multimedia video about ancient Rome. With your ticket, discover the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Visit the Roman Forum where everyday Roman citizens used to live to see the tomb of emperor Julius Caesar and explore the ancient ruins at your own pace. Your ticket also includes entrance to Palatine Hill, the site of the foundation of Rome, and the settlement of the most important houses of emperors and kings. Located just feet away from the Roman Forum and Circus Maximum, it is the centermost of the 7 hills of Rome.  Afterwards, visit one of the most famous monuments in the world, the Colosseum. As you explore the immense amphitheater — the largest ever built by the Roman Empire — imagine the gladiator fights and public spectacles that took place in the arena.

Enjoy a frequent and reliable roundtrip shuttle bus transfer between Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and three central locations in Rome. Ride in a regularly-maintained, air-conditioned bus with Wi-Fi on board. For your return transfer, simply refer to the timetable on your voucher. Choose from pickup or drop-off locations at one of these conveniently located stops: Fiumicino Airport, Rome Termini Train Station (Via Marsala 5 as opposed to the Best Western Hotel Royal Santina), the Vatican (Via Crescenzio, 2), or Circonvallazione Aurelia, 19 (in front of a CRAI supermarket). Choose a 1-way shuttle bus service to or from the airport, or alternatively an open return ticket. Best of all, be greeted by staff who will be waiting for you by your bus. Jump on board once you’ve checked in and your luggage is safely stowed away.  Avoid the hassle of navigating the public transportation system before or after a long journey, instead, relax and enjoy the views of Rome from the comfort of your seat.

Explore iconic sights in Rome on this guided walking tour. Stroll thorugh St. Peter's square and take in the views of the city from the top of St. Peter's Basilica. Admire artwork like Michelangelo's emotive 'Pietà' statue and go below the Basilica to uncover St. Peter's final resting place. Meet your guide in St. Peter’s Square then start the tour by climbing your way to the top of the Basilica’s dome. Enjoy an exclusive look at the Dome’s impressive mosaics then head further up to the top balcony. From here, marvel at panoramic views across the city, spot the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and other iconic landmarks. Descend into the Basilica and admire its impressive interior and discover why it took 150 years to build. Gaze at the colorful marble, golden ceilings, and intricate mosaics that surround you. Learn about the renowned works of Renaissance and Neoclassic artists that are housed here.  Next, head underground to the Basilica’s historic grottoes and visit St. Peter’s Tomb. Touch the ancient walls of the original 4th-century Basilica and admire its beautiful frescoes. Finish the tour in St. Peter’s Square and soak up its majestic architecture. 

Walk through the back door of the Colosseum and pass straight onto the arena floor through the gate named after Libitina, the goddess of funerals. Tread where dead gladiators and animals were once carried away. Feel the majesty of ancient Rome beneath your feed as you stroll over the steps of those who fought in gladiatorial combat. Enjoy astonishing 360-degree views of the Colosseum. Look up at ruins that were once filled with thousands of spectators. Snap excellent pictures, as a limited amount of visitors can be there for a given amount of time. Explore the general access area which includes the ground floor, the second tier and a balcony with astonishing views over the Roman Forum and Arch of Constantine. Step onto the podium reserved for the most important Romans over the main entrance to the Arena and feel the thrill of the amphitheater. Let your guide paint you a picture of the past with engaging stories and legends.

Explore St. Peter's Basilica, the Renaissance-style church with its dome that dominates the skyline of Rome. Discover why the American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson described it as "an ornament of the earth...the sublime of the beautiful". Marvel at the interior, lavishly decorated with marble, reliefs, architectural sculpture, and gilding. Discover the underground Chapel of the Confession and marvel at its curving marble staircases. After the tour, you can use the online Rome City Guide, a self-guided audio tour with stories from local experts, which is included in the experience. Learn about the city's points of interest, hidden gems, public transport, Wi-Fi access points, and best photo stops.

Make your way to the Pantheon to explore the best-preserved monument of ancient Rome. Collect your audio guide at the desk inside the Pantheon to begin learning about its fascinating history. Make use of 15 listening points and a map to locate points of interest inside the basilica. Learn the history of the building and how it later came to be used a church and a mausoleum. The Pantheon, built between 25 and 27 B.C., is the only ancient Roman building that has remained nearly intact through the centuries. Dedicated to all the gods of Pagan Rome, the temple was built by the Emperor Hadrian on the site of an earlier temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus. Classified as a temple, the original use of the Pantheon and how people worshipped there is unknown as the structure is different from other traditional Roman temples, such as the Roman Forum.