Christian Rome: Private Tour with Mercedes Driver

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Circo Massimo

   15min

   Circus Maximus, the large ancient stadium where chariot races were held for the entertainment of Roman citizens and royalty alike. If you have ever watched the film, Ben Hur, you can imagine the action that took place here 2,000 years ago on this 540-meter long track covered with sand! Although only the traces of this once incredible stadium remains, you can just imagine how imposing it must have been in Ancient Rome with the capacity to seat up to 250,000 spectators. In the lowest two tiers, the seats were made of stone and concrete, the upper tiers were made of wood. The external side of the stadium was surrounded by arcades in which shops were set up for the spectators - much like modern-day stadiums offer shops and eateries for the spectators.

2. 2

   Basilica Papale Di San Paolo Fuori le Mura

   30min

   St.Paul outside the Walls Basilica, the second largest basilica in Rome after St Peter’s Basilica. It has the words "Outside the Wall" because it was erected outside the Aurelian Walls - the ancient 3rd-century Roman walls that enclosed the city and protected it.

3. 3

   Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)

   Pass by

   The Appian Way, one of the most strategically significant roads of Rome built in 312 BC - making it one of the earliest roads of Ancient Rome. It connected Rome to Brindisi in south-east Italy and was used as the main route for military supplies and troops. The existing roads at that time were from built by the Etruscan and lead in a different direction. The Appian Way was considered by the Romans to be the "Queen of the Long Roads" According to Christian tradition, it was along the Appian Way that an escaping Peter encountered a vision of Christ, inspiring him to go back into the city to face certain martyrdom.

4. 4

   Catacombe di San Callisto

   45min

   Along the Appian Way you will visit the Christian catacombs, the early 2nd and 3rd century AD Christian underground receptacles of the dead. Burials were forbidden within the city walls, so outside the city walls and beneath the surface, miles of tunnels were hewn out of soft tufa stone. The catacombs were, in essence, an underground cemeterial complex that can be described as a labyrinth of galleries and chambers about 12 miles long, on four levels, and about 20 meters deep. Aside from many Christians being buried here, so have been martyrs and popes. Decorations and inscriptions can still be seen on crypts and tombs inside the catacombs. For such an exploration, a guided tour is conducted of the most visited area of the underground catacombs. Entrance fee to the catacombs is 8 Euros per person that includes a guided tour inside the catacombs, explaining the significance of the many things that you will see. You will join a small group of English-speaking travelers.

5. 5

   San Pietro in Vincoli

   25min

   According to legend, when Pope Leo compared the chains he was gifted by Emperess Eduoxia with the chains that Saint Peter was held in during his final imprisonment in the Mamertine Prison, the two chains miraculously fused together. Today, the chains are preserved inside a reliquary under the basilica's main altar. Although the Basilica is otherwise simple in architecture and decor, you will also have the honor of viewing Michelangelo's Moses that was completed in 1515. Seated in a tense position, the muscular Moses rests one arm on the Tablets of the Law, and the other hand holds his long wavy beard that grows from the figure's attractive pensive face.

6. 6

   Piazza Venezia

   Pass by

   Drive by Piazza Venezia with the controversial yet spectacular Vittorio Emanuele Monument, dedicated to the first king of Italy. The Romans nicknamed it the "Typewriter" given its shape and "Wedding Cake" with the white Carrara marble facade that looks like frosting on an ornate cake.

7. 7

   Citta del Vaticano

   2h

   After lunch, you will visit the tiniest country in the world, the Vatican. Inside the Vatican Museums, you will be amazed and delighted at the vast collection of masterpieces, including the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museums are located within the walls of the Vatican City and display a vast number of artwork collected by Popes throughout the centuries that date from the early Classical era to the Renaissance. Because the Vatican Museums are so vast and labyrinthine that makes it overwhelming for first time visitors, and possesses such an incredible amount of precious art that is often missed without the guidance of an expert, we highly recommend hiring a private English speaking licensed Vatican Guide to accompany you on a 2 hour tour through the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. Price of Vatican Museums Admission Tickets with no line booked online up to 60 days in advance at 22 Euros per person. Please book your admission tickets for the 2:00 PM time slot and print your voucher at home. Once booked, Tickets are NOT Refundable. Should you not find tickets online, please send us a message for prices and prepayment so that we can assist via a concierge service. Because the Vatican Museums are so vast and labyrinthine that makes it overwhelming for first time visitors, and possesses such an incredible amount of precious art that is often missed without the guidance of an expert, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND hiring a private English speaking licensed Vatican Guide to accompany you on a 2 hour tour through the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica. IF YOU WISH TO HIRE A VATICAN TOUR GUIDE, PLEASE SELECT THE UPGRADE VATICAN GUIDE OPTION OF THIS TOUR.

Before you go

Location

Circus Maximus Street, 00186, Italy