Rome in A Day Private Tour

highlights

• Enjoy the most popular Rome tour and Rome shore excursion from Civitavecchia
• Experience more of Rome in less time on our Rome tours by car
• Bask in Rome's timeless landmarks, resplendent monuments, exceptional squares, and grand museums
• Tour comfortably and safely in your private deluxe vehicle reserved just for you, your family and travel friends
• Personal English speaking driver on all our Rome Tours by car
• Your driver will take you as close as possible to each site, minimizing walking distance
• You will self tour away from the vehicle while your driver will wait with the vehicle

itinerary

• Colosseum Square (outside view of Colosseum, Arch of Constantine)
• Circus Maximus
• Roman Forum view from Capitoline Hill
• Drive by Piazza Venezia
• Piazza Navona
• Piazza della Rotonda ( * Outside view of Pantheon)
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps
• Vatican Museums
• Sistine Chapel
• * Saint Peter’s Basilica (pending available time)

description

***  IMPORTANT:  Due to High Demand from travelers and cruisers, the Vatican Museum tickets (and Colosseum tickets as well) are selling out Months in Advance without a guarantee of availability, this tour is currently not available. Should this tour become available again in the future, this page will be updated accordingly

  We recommend our POSTCARD ROME TOUR,  LA DOLCE VITA ROME TOUR, and ROME CITY AND COUNTRYSIDE TOUR.

* ROME IN A DAY TOUR PRICE LIST

ROME TOURS FROM ROME HOTEL

For up to 2 Persons from Rome Hotel:  470 EUROS
For up to 4 Persons from Rome Hotel:  500 EUROS
For up to 6 Persons from Rome Hotel:  530 EUROS
For up to 8 Persons from Rome Hotel:  570 EUROS
 

ROME SHORE EXCURSION FROM CIVITAVECCHIA CRUISE PORT

For up to 4 Persons from Civitavecchia:  600 EUROS
For up to 6 Persons from Civitavecchia:  650 EUROS
For up to 8 Persons from Civitavecchia:  750 EUROS
  

** DATES on the Booking Form Calendar that are NOT Selectable, are NOT AVAILABLE. 
 

Enjoy a visual journey of Rome's epochal highlights on our Rome in A Day Tour VIDEO:

Our Rome in A Day Tour from Rome and Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia is designed to cover the beautiful city of Rome's most significant ancient Roman monuments (such as the Colosseum Square, Circus Maximus, Roman Forum viewed from Capitoline Hill, and the Pantheon),  famous piazzas (Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps), the magnificent St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

 COLOSSEUM SQUARE - Admire Ancient Rome's architectural wonders 

Enjoy the magnificence of Ancient Rome with a visit to Colosseum Square to view the world's most impressive ancient amphitheater and the proud symbol of Rome itself.

In its full ancient glory, the Colosseum held more than 50,000 roaring spectators seated round the arena where gladiatorial battles, animal hunts, public executions, theatrical plays, and many other forms of entertainment unimaginable in modern society took place for the public's enjoyment.  

As you stroll around this massive monument, be sure to catch glimpses of this architectural wonder from different angles and capture the many views of the Colosseum on your camera.  Don't miss the imposing Arch of Constantine nearby, the famous triumphal arch of ancient Roman Emperor Constantine.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS - view remains of fabled Ancient Roman chariot race track

The Circus Maximus is the large ancient stadium where chariot races were held for the pleasure of Roman citizens and royalty. Listen closely and you can almost hear the roar of the crowds and the galloping of the horses’ hooves as they race for the finish. Envision chariot races as seen in the famous film Ben Hur.
 

Majestically sitting behind the stadium, you will see the Palatine Hill where the villas and the Domus of the emperors were built. A Domus was a spacious house that wealthy and some middle-class families owned in ancient Rome and could be found in almost all of the major cities of the Roman Empire.

CAPITOLINE HILL - View a picture-perfect panorama of the Roman Forum

Your next stop on this Rome in A Day private tour exploring the historic center will be Capitoline Hill where you will be treated to a panoramic splendor sweeping across the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill from a terrace known for the most picturesque view.

It is incredible to imagine that the vast remains of temples and public buildings in the Roman Forum were once part of the most important center of the Roman Empire as it served as its political, legal, financial and religious nucleus.

Drive by the remarkable PIAZZA VENEZIA

As you drive through Piazza Venezia, you will also have the opportunity to see from the comfort of your vehicle the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument that was dedicated to the first king of Italy.

The monument is built of pure white marble from Botticino, Brescia, and features majestic stairways, tall Corinthian columns, fountains, a huge equestrian sculpture of Victor Emmanue II and two statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas (a chariot drawn by four horses abreast). The structure is 135 meters (443 ft) wide and 70 meters (230 ft) high. If the quadrigae and winged victories are included, the height is 81 meters (266 ft) The base of the monument houses the museum of Italian Reunification.

At the time the monument was built, it was controversial among Romans since a large area of the Capitoline Hill was destroyed along with a medieval neighborhood for the sake of building it. Romans regard the monument as pompous and too large. It is clearly visible to most of the city of Rome and is boxy in general shape and lacks a dome or a tower.

The monument is also blindingly white, making it highly conspicuous as it sits among the ochre buildings surrounding it. Its stacked, crowded appearance has caused it to be saddled with several nicknames from "Zuppa Inglese", "the wedding cake", and "the dentures", while Americans liberating Rome in 1944 labeled it "the typewriter", a nickname also adopted by the locals. Even with all of this criticism, the monument still attracts a large number of visitors, and tourists typically enjoy seeing it.

PIAZZA DELLA ROTONDA - Rome's historic square

As you arrive in Piazza della Rotonda, prepare to be captivated by the awe-inspiring presence of the Pantheon and the mesmerizing Fontana del Pantheon. 

Stand in reverent admiration before the imposing Pantheon, a testament to its storied past as an ancient pagan temple in the heart of Rome, subsequently transformed into the cherished church of Saint Mary and the Martyrs.

In the center of the square is the  fountain, whose allure is further enhanced by the extraordinary marble Egyptian obelisk that surmounts it, once an integral part of a magnificent duo meticulously crafted for the revered Temple of Ra in Heliopolis. The twin counterpart proudly graces the front of the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, gracefully positioned just behind the Pantheon.

Indulge in a leisurely stroll through the square, where each historical palazzo carries whispers of bygone eras. Venture around the Pantheon and see Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, fronted by the renowned statue of Bernini's elephant carrying the obelisk on its back. Allow your curiosity to guide you as you explore enticing shops teeming with unique treasures, and treat yourself to the divine flavors of a gelato from one of the nearby gelaterias.

• Please note: Unfortunately, due to long entry lines, even for visitors with hard-to-obtain pre-booked time slot tickets, a visit inside the Pantheon is not included in this tour

PIAZZA NAVONA - Rome's charismatic lively square
 

The lively Piazza Navona is a delightful display of fountains, colorful art, and gorgeous sun-kissed palazzi that surround the oblong square whose shape outlines the ancient 1st century AD Roman Stadium upon which it stands.
 

Commissioned by Emperor Domitian, the once large stadium was used for athletic competitions. The name Navona is rooted in the ancient word for games, ‘agones’.

The square’s centerpiece is the magnificent 17th-century fountain by Gian Lorenzo Bernini: Fountain of Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) that represents the four major rivers of the known continents of that era: Danube (Europe), Nile (Africa), Ganges (Asia) and Rio de la Plata (America). An ancient Egyptian obelisk commissioned by Pope Innocent X tops the fountain giving it height and dominance.

THE TREVI FOUNTAIN - Rome's iconic Baroque fountain

We then make our way to the famed Trevi fountain, the largest Baroque fountain in the city. Legend has it that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they will be assured a return to Rome.

The Trevi fountain was also the setting of the well-known movie Three Coins in a Fountain.  Many people, however, are unaware that the "three coins" of Three Coins in the Fountain were thrown by three different characters.

The current interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. Another current version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the fountain.

The fountain is also the setting for an iconic scene in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita. Approximately 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day and are collected at night. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.

THE SPANISH STEPS / PIAZZA DI SPAGNA
 

The Spanish Steps is where you will find the famous 18th-century winding steps that connect the square below to the French church of Trinita dei Monti above.

The Obelisk Sallustiano, erected in 1789, is a smaller version copy of the large Egyptian obelisk belonging to Pharaoh Ramses II that is the centerpiece of Piazza del Popolo.

Below is the early 1600’s Baroque fountain, “Fontana della Barcaccio”, or “The Fountain of the Old Boat”, a type of shallow boat popular for carrying wine to the port of Ripetta. The unique fountain is credited to Pietro Bernini, the father of the famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

As you begin to climb the Spanish Steps, the corner building on your right is the house where the famous English poet John Keats lived and died in 1821. The name Spanish Steps was given after the Spanish Embassy that was permanently located there in 1647, and it later became the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See.

By now you are probably ready for a time of rest, relaxation, and the wonderful food that Italy is known for during your free time for lunch.

THE VATICAN - visit the world's smallest country
 

After lunch, your final stop on your Rome in one day tour will enjoy time on your own for a visit to the smallest country in the world, the Vatican. 

• This Rome in A Day Tour option does  NOT include a private tour guide for your Vatican visit. You will Self Tour  inside the Vatican.  

Your first visit will be to the Vatican Museums where you will be amazed and delighted at the vast collection of masterpieces, including the impressive Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes. The Vatican Museums boast many of the world's most priceless paintings, sculptures, mosaics, tapestries, and frescoes.

Following your visit to the Vatican, your driver will take you back to your hotel in Rome or cruise ship in Civitavecchia.

** PLEASE NOTE:  VATICAN MUSEUMS TICKETS SELL OUT FAST ***

Thank you for choosing Stefano Rome Tours for your tours from Rome and shore excursion tours from Civitavecchia Port. We look forward to showing you Rome in one day!

Important Information

Please READ the important information below as well as Read & Accept our TERMS OF SERVICE and Privacy Policy prior to placing your reservation request(s).

PAYMENT OPTIONS for Rome in a Day Tour:

Payment for this Rome in A Day Tour can be made in Euro funds at the end of your journey directly to your driver, or you may prepay in advance via PayPal or Credit Card online when you Confirm your Tour. Upon special request, also have the option to pay the driver via Credit Card on the Day of your Tour.

CANCELLATION POLICY for Rome in A Day Tour:

We kindly ask that cancellations for Rome in limo tours be made at least 7 days in advance so we can rebook your service and your reserved driver does not lose work for that day. We thank you for your cooperation and consideration. 

** PREPAID SERVICES can only be Refunded the Net Rate we receive from your prepayment.  Net Rate is the actual service price minus the fees retained by PayPal/Credit Card that are not reimbursed to us in case of refunds. We can only refund the portion we receive from the PayPal/CC company.

EMAIL INQUIRIES / BOOKING REQUESTS

Please allow up to 24 hours for email correspondences in response to email inquiries and tour reservation requests.

We reply to ALL emails and booking requests we receive. If you don't receive correspondence from us within 24-48 hours please CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER, or send us an email from a different E-mail account. 

VATICAN MUSEUMS ONLINE TICKET OFFICE
  

* Ticket prices may change up or down without notice at the discretion of the monuments and museums and cannot be guaranteed until they are actually booked.

* Remember to bring the printed ticket vouchers for Vatican Museums with you in order to enter the museum. You cannot enter without your printed vouchers.

*** VATICAN MUSEUMS ticket SELL OUT FAST!! ***

In case Vatican Museums Ticket are SOLD OUT on your Date of Tour, you may substitute the Vatican with other sites in Rome, or you may book our Postcard Rome Tour for Cruisers that is enjoyed both as a Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia and as a Day Tour from Rome hotels.

YOUR ROME PRIVATE TOUR DRIVER

This Rome limo tour provides an English-speaking Private Driver who is NOT a Licensed Tour Guide.

* Italy has strict laws and regulations aimed to protect official licensed guides that make it unlawful for Drivers to act as tour guides or accompany guests to sightsee on foot away from the vehicle. In order for us to comply with Italy’s laws, Drivers are required to remain with the vehicle while guests sightsee away from the vehicle.

* On this Rome limo tour by car you will SELF TOUR (unaccompanied by your driver) when away from the vehicle.

* You will be dropped off as close to the sites as possible in accordance with municipality and traffic laws.

MEETING POINTS TO MEET YOUR DRIVER

For Day Tours starting from Rome  hotel / accommodation

For Day Tours starting from Rome Hotel, your driver will meet you inside the lobby of your hotel or area permitted by your hotel.

From Apartments or B&Bs without a lobby, your driver will meet you outside the main entrance of your Address.

* If your hotel or accommodation is located on a street or in an area that is restricted to vehicle traffic, your driver will park as close as lawfully possible, and meet you on foot at your Address to accompany you to your parked vehicle. Door-to-door service may not be possible on streets, squares, or areas restricted to vehicle traffic or vehicle stopping.

For Shore Excursions from Civitavecchia Cruise Port

For any tour from Civitavecchia Port, your private driver will meet you on the Pier next to your Ship at your tour's scheduled pick-up time holding a sign with the NAME in your reservation.

Do NOT leave the ship area, and do NOT take a shuttle bus outside the port. 

Look for your private driver in the same area on the Pier as ALL private drivers will be waiting for their clients.  After you meet your driver you will be accompanied to your vehicle and your Rome private shore excursion will begin with a leisurely drive on your day trip from Civitavecchia to Rome.

IMPORTANT Regarding visiting Saint Peter's Basilica or Colosseum

This tour does NOT GUARANTEE the possibility of visiting St Peter's Basilica due to access restrictions from within the Vatican Museums and potentially long security lines in St Peter's Square to visit the Basilica.

 
This Rome in A Day tour does NOT include a visit inside the Colosseum.