Day 1 - Arrive Rome, Italy

Arrive in Rome, where you are met for your private transfer to your centrally located hotel.

Overnight: Rocco Forte Hotel de la Ville, Rome

Day 2 - Imperial Rome

Your tour today will no doubt leave you in awe as your guide shows you the heart of the Roman Empire. Marvel at the imposing Colosseum which was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian. The stadium accommodated up to 50,000 spectators who came to view the gladiatorial battles that lasted up to one-hundred days! Adjacent is the Arc of Constantine; dating from AD 315 it is a forerunner to many other Triumphal Arches around the world. Possibly even more impressive are the excavations of the vast Roman Forum, where the remains of temples, streetscapes and palaces can now be visited up close. Your guide helps bring to life the atmosphere of Rome's pulsating heart, crowded with people from across the Roman Empire. 

Next your guide also explains the other nearby Emperor's forums; Trajan, Augustus and Caesar. Your half-day tour also includes the Palatine Hill, inhabited since the 9th century BC; archaeologists believe this to be the place where Romulus, founder of Rome, lived.

Overnight: Rocco Forte Hotel de la Ville, Rome

Meal Plan: B

Day 3 - Vatican City

The independent state of the Vatican City was established by the Lateran Treaty in 1929, and is the smallest in the world. Cross the Tiber River into this awe-inspiring place with your expert guide and vehicle. Visit the Vatican Museums, part of the Papal Residence, which is estimated to contain 1400 rooms, chapels and galleries. The Museums contain an extraordinarily rich collection of precious arts, maps, sculptures and antiquities; however the most breath-taking masterpiece is Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. 

At the centre of the Vatican lies the vast Basilica of St. Peter; you pass by the colourfully-dressed Swiss Guard into the world's largest church. The present Cathedral is a beautiful mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, formed under the hands of masters such as Michelangelo. The stunning interior is an elaborate and detailed display of marble, mosaic, gilt and bronze. 
The Vatican requires visitors to cover upper arms and legs to below the knee.

Overnight: Rocco Forte Hotel de la Ville, Rome

Meal Plan: B

Day 4 - Depart Rome

You are privately driven to the airport or train station for your departure.

Meal Plan: B