Arch of Constantine
Baths of Caracalla
Colosseum
Colosseum inside
Piazza Navona
Villa d'Este
Villa d'Este, Tivoli
Roman Forum
Tour highlights:
Expert Diana Blumberg's commentary on Rome's ancient sites
Early entry to the Pantheon, showcasing revolutionary Roman engineering
Ostia and Portus revealing Rome’s maritime lifeline
Hidden Rome: San Clemente and Nero’s Domus
Rome is a city shaped by power, belief and centuries of reinvention, where ancient history remains part of everyday life. This expertly guided tour traces the rise of Rome from republican city to imperial capital through its greatest monuments and lesser‑known archaeological layers. From the Colosseum and Forum to port cities and imperial villas beyond the walls, the journey offers a thoughtful and deeply engaging exploration of the civilisation that helped shape Europe.
Available Departures |
From |
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| 15 - March - 2027 | £ 4185.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings London Heathrow Departing: 15th March 2027 at 10:50 Returning: 21st March 2027 at 14:45 |
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| 02 - November - 2027 | £ 4185.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings London Heathrow Departing: 02nd November 2027 at 10:50 Returning: 08th November 2027 at 14:45 |
Day 1: Arrival
Fly from London Heathrow to Rome, and transfer to our hotel. This evening we meet for a welcome drink and a talk from Diana: ‘From Republic to Empire: the Archaeological Landscape of Ancient Rome’, followed by dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: The Colosseum to Palatine Hill
After breakfast, our tour begins at the Arch of Constantine, a monumental triumphal arch standing proudly beside the Colosseum. Rich with history and striking reliefs, it celebrates the rise of Constantine the Great and marks a turning point in the story of the Roman Empire. A visit to the Colosseum is next - the perfect scene-setter for your journey through Rome. We have time to explore this iconic ancient amphitheatre, then free time for lunch (own expense). In the afternoon, walk through the heart of ancient Rome as we stroll alongside the Imperial Fora, pausing to admire the magnificent Trajan’s Column with its detailed spiral reliefs. Later, we visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where ruined temples, grand arches, and panoramic views bring the story of the Roman Empire vividly to life. Evening free.
Day 3: Rome on foot
Begin the morning with an early visit to the Pantheon, stepping inside this extraordinary ancient temple at its first opening to admire its vast dome and oculus. Continue to Piazza Navona, exploring the underground remains of Domitian’s Stadium, built in AD86 for athletic competitions. Next we discover classical sculptures at the Palazzo Altemps Museum, and the Ara Pacis Museum. The Altar of Peace was commissioned by Emperor Augustus and is near to Augustus’ Mausoleum. In the afternoon, visit Piazza Colonna to see Marcus Aurelius’ Column, then descend into the fascinating remains of Vicus Caprarius. Hidden beneath streets near the Trevi Fountain, this site reveals ancient apartment buildings and working aqueduct channels. On our return to the hotel we pass the grand Temple of Hadrian. Evening talk by Diana: ‘Daily Life in the Roman World: Evidence from Rome and Ostia’, followed by dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Ostia Antica and Portus
Step back into daily life in ancient Rome with a morning visit to Ostia Antica, the remarkably preserved harbour city of Rome. Explore its atmospheric streets and highlights including the stunning Neptune Baths, the Theatre, Piazzale delle Corporazioni with its merchant mosaics, the Thermopolium of Diana, an ancient bakery, the Forum, Forum Baths, and a fascinating mithraeum dedicated to the god Mithras. Lunch is included at a local restaurant before continuing in the afternoon to Portus, where you will discover the vast ancient harbours of Claudius and Trajan, once the beating heart of Rome’s maritime trade network.
Day 5: Tivoli
Discover imperial luxury and Renaissance elegance with a morning visit to Hadrian’s Villa, the vast countryside retreat of Emperor Hadrian, where you will walk among the evocative ruins of palaces, bath complexes, libraries, and ornamental pools such as the Canopus, revealing the scale and ambition of imperial Roman architecture. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Villa d’Este, a Renaissance masterpiece renowned for its elegant palace and spectacular terraced gardens, where hundreds of fountains, water features, and shaded pathways create one of Italy’s most celebrated and atmospheric landscapes.
Day 6: The Baths of Caracalla to Nero’s Palace
Today begins at the impressive Baths of Caracalla, where vast vaulted halls, tunnels and mosaics reveal the scale and luxury of imperial public bathing. Continue to the frescoed underground Roman houses of Domus Romane del Celio, and the Parco Archeologico del Celio, which displays fragments of the Forma Urbis Romae, the ancient marble map of the city. After free time for lunch, descend through centuries at the Basilica of San Clemente, uncovering its extraordinary archaeological levels beneath the church. Walk past the Ludus Magnus, once the main training school for gladiators, before visiting Nero’s Golden House (Domus Aurea), an innovative and influential imperial palace buried beneath later Rome. The day concludes with a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Departure
Free morning before our transfer to the airport for the return flight to London Heathrow.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Tour Grading: Please note this tour has been graded as demanding due to the amount of time spent walking to and around attractions, and time spent standing for viewing. Some paths may be cobbled and uneven underfoot. Due to the central location of the hotel, the coach is unable to park nearby, so you will need to walk to and from the drop-off points, including on arrival/departure day with luggage. Please visit the mobility page on our website, or contact our team for further information prior to booking.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Hotel Albergo Santa Chiara, Rome
Established in 1839, Hotel Albergo Santa Chiara is a family-run 3‑star historic hotel located in the very heart of Rome, just behind the Pantheon, making it an exceptional base for exploring the city. Set on a quiet cobbled street, the hotel maintains a traditional Roman atmosphere while offering modern comfort, including a bar, outdoor terrace, and breakfast room. The bedrooms offer free WI-FI, TV, minibar, safe, and bathrooms finished in travertine marble.
Diana Blumberg is an archaeological scientist specialising in the analysis and conservation of archaeological materials. She is currently engaged in advanced postgraduate study at Sapienza University of Rome. As artefacts supervisor on multiple field schools at Pompeii and Portus in Italy, as well as at Birdoswald Roman Fort in the United Kingdom, she has trained students in identifying and processing a wide range of finds.
Alongside her fieldwork, Diana has shared her expertise in the classroom, teaching archaeological laboratory classes at Newcastle University, delivering lifelong learning courses in classical archaeology at the University of Southampton, and lecturing on undergraduate modules at the University of Winchester.
