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On this privately guided trip, we'll take you beyond the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain and introduce you to an even more mysterious metropolis. Descend beneath Rome’s streets and behind its locked doors to explore hidden and overlooked places, witnessing a capital city that most tourists rarely experience—strange, magical, and filled with intrigue. It will be a week filled with stories, myths, and secrets, shining a spotlight on the surprises scattered above and beneath the city. You'll have a balance between time with your guide, and time to wander and get lost on your own, as well. By the end of the week, you'll have witnessed a side of the Eternal City that you’ve never seen before.
Today, arrive and settle into your centrally located hotel. In the early evening, Felipe will arrive to greet you, and take you on a guided visit to the nearby Pantheon. Afterwards, enjoy a proper welcome dinner at Ristorante Casa Bleve.
Boutique Hotel, Rome
Dinner
Today, explore the lesser-known corners of the papal city. Join a guided, small-group visit to the Vatican Necropolis, which lies under Saint Peter's Basilica and contains ruins that date back to the founding of the Roman Empire. Lunch will be at nearby Ristorante da Romolo, followed by a visit to the towering Castel Sant'Angelo, the mausoleum of the ancient Roman emperor Hadrian. Alongside Felipe, explore hidden corridors, dark dungeons, and the ornate bathroom of Pope Clement VII, who used the building as a fortress. You also have the option to join their “Secret Castle” tour with a small group. The day will end in the late afternoon. Feel free to relax and enjoy dinner (and dessert, of course) on your own.
Boutique Hotel, Rome
Breakfast, Lunch
This morning is filled with a series of private visits to intriguing locations. First on the list is the Palazzo Mattei di Giove, followed by a beautiful, historic library, home to an impressive collection of manuscripts. From there, continue to the Jesuit church of Sant’Ignazio, La Sapienza University, and Piazza Navona, a square built atop the site of an ancient Roman stadium, featuring an obelisk and stunning fountains designed by the sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Stop and relax over lunch at the Restaurant Armando al Pantheon, followed by free time. In the evening, you have the option of a pasta-inspired gastronomy workshop or a tour of the traditional shops in the historic area.
Breakfast, Lunch
This morning begins with a stroll to Isola Tiberina, an island in the River Tiber that was once home to the Temple of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. There, Felipe will lead you on a private visit to the Confraternita dei Sacconi Rossi Crypt and the Church of San Giovanni Calibita. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a cozy local spot in Trastevere, a district on the western shore of the Tiber. After a meander through this district, it's time for a private visit to the fascinating Pharmacy of Santa Maria della Scalla, which for centuries doled out remedies and antidotes to poisons, including some treatments derived from herbs grown on the premises. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening on your own, perhaps checking out the impressive views at Gianicolo (Janiculum) Hill.
Boutique Hotel, Rome
Breakfast, Lunch
Today, ascend Aventine Hill and take a private tour within the Garden of the Knights of Malta. Aventine Hill was variously home to temples to Juno and Minerva, before passing into the self-governing hands of the Knights Templar and Knights of Malta. While most visitors can only glimpse through the famous keyhole into their garden, with a distant view of the Vatican City, you'll actually be going inside. From here, we'll make a visit to the nearby Palace of Charles IV, followed by lunch at Apuleius, a restaurant decorated in the imperial Roman style, in a neighborhood known as Rome’s "Beverly Hills." The afternoon brings a walk through the Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus), bringing you to the Mirabilia Gallery, where a drink will cap off the day. If interested, you can set out on an optional evening tour of the Piazza Spagna area, with a cocktail at the Museum Canova Tadolini.
Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, set off on a tour of the Palatine Hill and the Forums, including a stop at the Domus Transitoria, Nero's first palace. Afterwards, join a small group at the Domus Aurea for a guided archaeological visit of this vast (and unfinished) imperial mansion built by the emperor Nero. Take lunch and the afternoon on your own, before gathering back together at sunset with a final dinner on the rooftop of Ristorante Terrazza Borromini in Piazza Navona. Dinner guests are treated to an opera performance, with the best views of the city in the backdrop.
Boutique Hotel, Rome
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, take breakfast at your leisure and depart for flights or trains home, or onto your next destination. If you're extending your stay in Rome, your guide will be happy to provide additional recommendations.
The cost of this trip is $4,230 per person, based on two or more travelers, and double occupancy at a four-star hotel during low season. Hotel prices may increase during high season, which will influence the cost of the trip depending on your dates. For a single occupancy room, there will be a supplement (rates vary depending on seasonality). The maximum group size is five people.
The starting per person price is based on six nights of accommodation at The Argentina Residenza Hotel (four stars) or a location of equivalent quality. If you're interested in a different level or style of accommodation, we'd be happy to discuss options and price points.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to three miles over the course of each day and remaining on their feet for longer periods of time. While we can tailor the pace and activity level to your group, note that many places are best reached by foot, and require walking over cobblestone and other uneven ground.
You should aim to arrive in Rome on Day 1 by 4 p.m., and depart anytime on Day 7. If you decide to extend your stay, your guide will be more than happy to suggest additional activities for you.