Intro:

Vacanze Romane (Roman Holiday) is a movie classic that requires no introduction.

I invite you to step into this timeless classic film where Rome itself is the movie set and you are the star in your own Roman Holiday.

The film proceeds seamlessly from one scene to another, but in real life there is quite a bit of area to cover with distance in between, making it time consuming, exhausting (and achy) to do it on foot in one day. With Stefano Rome Tours, you will visit the incredible piazzas, monuments, palaces and neighborhoods featured in the film that are also among the most famous in the world and define the Eternal City.

Unlike Princess Ann, you won’t have to escape from your hotel window in the middle of the night and hitch a ride in a delivery truck....Your  Stefano Rome Tours professional English speaking Tour Driver Guide will pick you up at your hotel at 9 AM in a comfortable climate controlled delux vehicle and bring you back at approximately 5 PM.

ANN: Oh, you can't imagine... I'd, I'd like to do just whatever I'd like, the whole day long!

Your tour will begin at the Colosseum where Joe Bradly brought Princess Ann for a tour inside Rome’s iconic monument that has endured for 2,000 years.

Your driver will provide historical information about the Colosseum, but is not permitted to guide you into the monument, only a licensed tour guide can do that. If you would like to reserve a private licensed tour guide for the Colosseum, please let us know and we’ll gladly make the arrangements for you as a complimentary service for our clients. The tour guide payment is made separately, and we do not make commission from from the guide.

From the Colosseum, you will proceed to Piazza Venezia, one of Rome’s most distinguished squares featuring the imposing 440 foot tall white marble monument built in honor to unified Italy’s first king, Vittorio Emanuelle II (or commonly called the Vittoriano by the locals). Prominently featured in many films and widely recognized, the monument features Corinthian columns, stairways, fountains, pagan statues and a bronze equestrian sculpture of Vittorio Emmauele II himself. Due to it’s ornamentation and blindly white marble, it’s also nicknamed the “wedding cake”.

Next to the Vittoriano is Capitoline Hill where you will stop for a postcard perfect view of the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseo in the distance. This is one of the most picturesque spots in Rome, so be sure to have your cameras ready!

As you look below you will see the ruins of Temple of Saturn and Temple of Vespasian and Titus, near which took place the nighttime scene where Joe Bradley finds Princess Ann asleep and then hailed a taxi. However, when the movie was filmed there was a road on the other side of the ruins, which is why in the movie the ruins seem positioned differently. No such road exists anymore.

JOE. The Mouth of Truth. The legend is that if you're given to lying, you put you're hand in  there it'll be bitten off.

Inside the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin you’ll discover the usual long line of people waiting for their turn to stick their hand inside the ancient lie detector: Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth). Legend had it that if you told a lie and placed your hand inside the Mouth of Truth, it would bite your hand off. The Mouth of Truth supposedly lost its lie detecting power when it was tricked by a very clever married woman who was accused of having an affair. Moments prior to placing her hand inside the mouth of truth and confess the truth before her husband and townsfolk gathered around her, her lover disguised as a madman ran up to her and kissed her. The townsfolk chased the madman away and the woman “truthfully” admitted that the only men who ever touched her were her husband and the madman, therefore sparing her hand and her reputation. So give it a try and place your own hand inside the Mouth of Truth if you dare...afterall, what do you have to lose?

One the way to our next destination we’ll drive by Teatro di Marcello, an ancient open air theater built in 13 BC, named after Emperor Augustus’ nephew, Marcello. We’ll also drive by Palazzo Colonna where the last scene of the movie was filmed, where Princess Ann held the press conference in the great hall (Palazzo Colonna is restricted to public visits).

ANN Stop at the next corner, please.
JOE. 'K. [He slows down, stopping at a corner and leans forward
to see the Embassy gate visible down the street] Here?

We will drive by Piazza Barberini and its centerpiece, Fontana del Tritone (Triton Fountain) to Palazzo Barberini that played the role of the embassy of the country of Princess Ann. You will also have the opportunity to stand in the place where Joe Bradley and Princess Ann said their goodbyes and she then ran around the corner toward the embassy.

Palazzo Barberini was built in 1633 on the land purchased by Maffeo Barberini who then became Pope Urban VIII. The three well known architects who worked on the palace all had contributed their talents to the building of St Peter’s Basilica: Carlo Maderno, his nephew Francesco Borromini, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  Today Palazzo Barberini houses the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, one of the most significant collections of priceless paintings in Italy including Raphael and Caravaggio.

Just as Joe Bradely drove away from the palace after Princess Ann turned the corner, so shall we because now it’s time for lunch at a traditional restaurant or trattoria.

ANN I've heard of a wonderful place for dancing on a boat.
JOE. Oh, you mean the barges down by Saint Angelo.
ANN Yes! couldn't we go over tonight?

Nearby is the towering cylindrical mausoleum to Emperor Hadrian that was later converted by popes into a fortress, a prison, and a castle. Legend has it it was dedicated to Archangel Michael and became known as Castel Sant’Angelo because the archangel appeared above the mausoleum sheathing his sword signaling the end of the plague of 590. Today the mausoleum is the Museum Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo.  

You will have the opportunity to stroll around the castle and its bridge, Ponte Sant’Angelo, that’s lined with 10 angels holding the passions of Christ, designed by Bernini. Standing on the opposite side of the bridge you will have a marvelous glimpse of the area where the barge was located in the movie with the castle as the backdrop.

Although not featured in Vacanze Romane, nearby is St Peter’s Basilica where you can stop in its awe-inspiring square to admire the largest church in Christendom, Bernini’s embracing colonnades and the Egyptian obelisk in the center. (St Peter’s Basilica was featured in Federico Fellini’s classic “La Dolce Vita”)

ANN. Yes, and I'd like to sit at a sidewalk cafe; and look in shop windows; Have fun, and maybe some excitement. It doesn't seem much to you, does it?

From here you will continue your Roman Holiday to the Trevi Fountain. The Baroque fountain with stunning nautical statues was also featured prominently in other classics such as “Three Coins in A Fountain” and “La Dolce Vita”.  Here is where Joe Bradley got a lesson in not trying to borrow other tourists’ cameras.

Be sure to toss a coin in the fountain to ensure another visit to Rome. Of course, all our returning guests have told us that it works!

We continue to the most famous stairway in Rome: The Spanish Steps. Its 18th century winding steps connects the French church of Trinita dei Monti and the Egyptian obelisk above to the piazza and the one of a kind fountain below. You’ll notice people gathered around what appears to be a stone boat overfilled with water. The early 1600’ Baroque “Fontana della Baraccio” (The Fountain of the Old Boat) is credited to Pietro Bernini, the father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and resembles a type of boats popular for carrying wine to the port of Ripetta.

If you are facing the steps, to your right is the house where the famous poet Keats lived and died in 1821.

Here you have the opportunity to enjoy a gelato on the steps...just like Princess Ann.

Across from the Spanish Steps is Rome’s fashionable street, Via dei Condotti, lined with top designer boutiques for a window shopping extravaganza!

From the Spanish Steps we will take a drive through one of Rome’s most exquisite neighborhoods on Via Margutta and pass by “51”, the residence of Joe Bradley. Behind the big doors that are locked to the outside world, is a large atrium with a number of art galleries and multiple bohemian-like apartments stacked in apparently no particular order. Because this is a private residence, non-residents are not permitted to enter. That’s ok, because the narrow Via Margutta itself is far more fascinating with charming aged ochre buildings overtaken by green climbing and hanging ivy, galleries, artisan workshops, and boutiques. It’s by far one of the most charming, romantic, and picturesque streets in Rome.

Our last stop is the Pantheon where Princess Ann and Joe Bradley sat at the outdoor cafe.

This magnificent rotund temple dedicated to all Roman gods was built in 126 AD and is the oldest standing domed structure in Rome as well as in continuous use throughout its extensive history. During the 7th century it was transformed into a Catholic church as well as a tomb for Italy’s kings and prominent artists like Raphael. The only source of light inside the Pantheon, other than the entrance, is the Oculus at the top of the coffered dome. Always open to the elements, the “eye”, allows for rain to fall to the floor, where it is then carried away through the drains.

JOE. Tired?
ANN. A little.
JOE. You've had quite a day.
ANN. A wonderful day

This marks the end of your Roman Holiday tour in Rome. My sincere hope is that Rome has charmed you in ways it has so many others, and when asked upon your return from your trip: “Which of the cities visited did you enjoy the most?”, you will answer with the same conviction as Princess Ann: “Rome, by all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here, in memory, as long as I live”

Thank you for choosing Stefano Rome Tours for your Tours and Shore Excursions in Rome and beyond. We look forward to meeting you in Rome!



Places in the movie that are not included in the tour:

Palazzo Brancaccio - While Palazzo Barberini played the role of the exterior of the embassy of Princess Ann’s country, the luxurious interior was filmed inside Palazzo Brancaccio that is also restricted to visitors and cannot be entered on this tour. The palace is located not far from the Termini Station and Piazza Vittorio Emanuelle.

The Wall of Wishes - Unfortunately this wall featured in the movie no longer exists, the ex-voto plaques were removed in the mid 1950’s leaving the wall unadorned. Many people have tried to pinpoint the exact place where the Wall of Wishes was originally located but it’s only estimated that it was somewhere on the Aurelian Wall on Vialle del Policlinico southwest of Villa Borghese.

Other smaller “walls of wishes” exist in some areas of Rome where small altars for saints were created inside wall niches (usually the Virgin Mary), and people placed small plaques of thanks for divine intervention by the saint.

The Police Station - some places are best avoided on one’s trip abroad.

 

Please note:
* The price of the tour includes VAT tax, fuel, and applicable toll fees. It does not include entrance fees, lunch, or gratuities.
*The total price for the tour is per vehicle. Individuals may split the cost of the tour among themselves.
* Please wear comfortable shoes.
* Italy has strict laws and regulations aimed to protect official licensed guides that makes it unlawful for Tour Driver Guides to offer commentary about sites outside the vehicle. In order for us to comply with Italy’s laws, our Tour Driver Guides cannot tour our guests inside monuments, museums, or piazzas. Your Tour Driver Guide will provide commentary only inside the vehicle.
* Payment will be made in Euro funds at the end of your journey.


Vacanze Romane trivia:

The role of Princess Ann was originally written with Elizabeth Taylor in mind, but Audrey Hepburn was cast when the camera was left rolling after the audition and she revealed the royal dignity and school girl innocence that the director William Wyler sought.

The role of Joe Bradley was originally written for Cary Grant, but Grant declined the role believing the age difference between him and Hepburn was too great.

Gregory Peck’s contract secured his solo star billing, but halfway through the filming, Peck graciously suggested that Audrey Hepburn be elevated equal to his billing because he predicted the movie would make her a star, a gesture and prediction that was most uncommon in Hollywood.

While promoting Roman Holiday in France, Gregory Peck met French journalist Veronique Passani and as soon as his divorce to his previous wife was finalized they married...a marriage that lasted 48 years until his death in 2003.

The part in the movie where Joe Bradly pulls his hand out of the Mouth of Truth that appeared to have bitten off his hand causing Princess Ann to scream was an unscripted prank he pulled after once seeing Red Skelton do it. Unaware of the gag, Audrey Hepburn’s scream was her real reaction to what appeared to be Gregory Peck’s missing hand.

Audrey Hepburn won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Princess Ann.

In 1999 the Library of Conbress chose Roman Holiday for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthethically significant”.

In 1970’s Hepburn and Peck were approached with the idea of a sequel to Roman Holiday, however the project never materialized.

Movie Script: http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/r/roman-holiday-script-transcript.html