Your day begins bright and early at 8:00am at Civitavecchia where your driver collects you from your cruise port and you embark on the approximately 2-hour journey to Rome. You’ll arrive in Rome at about 10:00am and will meet your expert guide near the first stop of your day: the Colosseum. Your expert will set the scene for this visit as you approach this iconic structure, the largest amphitheater ever built. Taking almost a decade to construct from around the year 70 CE, the Colosseum was a site of public spectacle, from gladiator games and theater to public executions. You’ll explore this ancient structure with your guide, learning about its place in Roman society and the ‘entertainment’ on offer there.

Next, you’ll hop back in the car for a short drive through Rome’s historic center towards the Vatican. You’ll pick up lunch on the go (at your own expense) in order to make the most of your limited time in the city and reach the Vatican, your focus for the afternoon, in good time. On your way inside, your expert guide will give you a brief overview of papal history and the development of Vatican City. Depending on the crowds, you’ll spend some time exploring the immense collection of artworks in the Vatican Museums, but your main focus will be the most famous masterpiece of this collection, the Sistine Chapel. This chapel, with its ceiling painted by Michaelangelo and walls covered in frescoes, is a feast for the eyes and for curious minds. Talking isn’t allowed inside the chapel, but your guide will have already prepared you to fully appreciate it, highlighting symbolic details that often go unnoticed by visitors and introducing you to Michelangelo’s creative process.

At the end of this Vatican visit, your 6 hours with your expert will draw to a close. Your driver will return you to Civitavecchia, getting you to your ship for 6:00pm. You’ll travel onwards to your next destination having gained a deeper understanding of these pillars of ancient history, renaissance art and religion in Rome.

What time will we be picked up from the port?
You will be picked up by your private driver at 8:00am. You will then be driven into Rome to meet your guide for your tour at 10:00am.

Where will we meet the guide?
You will meet the guide in Rome near the Colosseum.

How long will we have the car service for?
You will have the car service for 10 hours - this includes both transfers and the 6-hour tour time.

How long will we have with the guide?
You will spend 6 hours with the guide. The driver will meet you at the port and drive you to meet the guide in Rome. Your time with the guide will end in Rome and then the driver will return you to the port. You will be away from the port from 8:00am to 6:00pm.

Can we change the itinerary for this tour?
No, this tour is not customizable.

Will you pre-purchase tickets?

Yes, we pre-purchase timed tickets to the Colosseum and the Vatican. Your expert will have them on hand, and you'll will enter both sites together as a group. However, please keep in mind that we will still be required to wait in the security line. Both sites can be very crowded, especially in the summer, and the security lines can take up to around 20 minutes. Regardless, our guide will spend this time wisely by providing an overview of the history of the collection.

Will I need to bring identification to enter the Colosseum?
Yes, original identification is required to be presented upon entry to the Colosseum for all visitors including children. These should be original documents, copies will not be accepted.   

How crowded are the Vatican sites?
Please be aware that during the summer travel period, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel can be subject to extremely high levels of visitor traffic. It’s important to anticipate slower movement, limited visibility, and potential restrictions on accessing certain areas due to the density of crowds. Our experienced guides are adept at navigating through these challenging conditions and will strive to optimize your tour experience.

Unfortunately, due to the time constraints of the tour, you will not visit St. Peter’s - your time at the Vatican will focus primarily on the Sistine Chapel, with time at the Vatican Museums, all depending on the size of the crowds.

Will we visit the Arena, Roman Forum or Palatine Hill?
Again, due to the time constraints of this tour, your time at the Colosseum will focus on the Colosseum itself and will not include the Arena, the Roman Forum or Palatine Hill.

There are 8 in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 7 participants. Can't you make an exception?

No, unfortunately, due to vehicle size restrictions, we cannot accommodate groups larger than 7 people.