Rome Shore Excursions: the eternal city in one day
Posted on 25 May 2009 at 10:40
rome shore excursions
Roma Caput Mundi or the Eternal City. Both names apply to thisenchanting city. And with good reason. According to tradition it wasfounded in 753 BC and over time it became the capital of what was to grow into the most powerful and civilized empire of antiquity,stretching from Britain to the Caspian Sea, from North Africa to AsiaMinor. Obviously, then, a tour of Rome can only start from theColosseum, which, appropriately enough, is the best known symbol ofRome throughout the world.
The many fierce gladiatorial fights, the thousands of wild beastsslain, the mock sea battles re-enacted there all contributed to makethis structure the most famous of its kind in antiquity. The crossesstanding in various parts of the arena also remind us of thesignificance this awesome structure has acquired over time for Christianity because of the Christian martyrs who are said to havebeen killed there during the persecutions by the Roman emperors. Closeto the Colosseum, the glorious remains of the Forum tell the story ofa market place that was in fact the hub of Roman public activity, withpeople meeting there to discuss business and daily events.
The Pantheon, nearby, is one of the best preserved ancient Romanbuildings and has a very particular history: from its originaldestination as a temple to the gods it was subsequently turned into aChristian church. During the Renaissance some outstanding artists, such as Raphael and Carracci, were buried there and in the 19th century itbecame the burial place of Italian kings. Only a short distance away lies Piazza Navona, perhaps Rome's most famous square. There is nodoubt that its elegant design, the artistically intriguing fountainsdecorating it and the Baroque majesty of the Church of Sant'Agnese inAgone, which overlooks Piazza Navona, make the square so beautiful.Its history is equally fascinating.
The stadium built by Emperor Domitian in the fist century AD wasused for sporting events. Later it became a market square where processions or festivals were also held. In the 17th century it wasrebuilt and embellished by Pope Innocent X. Contrary to popularbelief, no mock sea battles ever took place in this square, but inantiquity the square was actually flooded in summertime to refresh thearea. And, speaking of water, the most famous fountain in Rome is nodoubt Trevi Fountain. You simply cannot afford to miss it: how elsecould you throw your coin in there? As for Roman squares, everybody'smind immediately runs to Piazza di Spagna, which is better known asthe Spanish Steps, from the stairs leading down to it from the Churchof Trinita' dei Monti.
This lovely square has been the subject of so many films andpaintings that it has long been an all-time favourite of tourists fromall over the world. Its charming Baroque style is hard to describe,but certainly holds all visitors spellbound. Bocca della Verita' isanother little jewel in Rome's crown and is so dear to the hearts ofall visitors that it has become an icon of the Eternal City. But there is another aspect of Rome that makes this city truly unique. WhileChristianity was born on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, itfound its natural seat in Rome. Thus, this tour must necessarilyinclude a trip to the Vatican to admire, at least from the outside,St. Peter's Basilica and to visit the Vatican Museums where you willfind one of the best collections of antiquities from Egyptian times tothe Renaissance.
Located at the far end of the Museums, the Sistine Chapel requires no introduction:
Roma Caput Mundi or the Eternal City. Both names apply to thisenchanting city. And with good reason. According to tradition it wasfounded in 753 BC and over time it became the capital of what was to grow into the most powerful and civilized empire of antiquity,stretching from Britain to the Caspian Sea, from North Africa to AsiaMinor. Obviously, then, a tour of Rome can only start from theColosseum, which, appropriately enough, is the best known symbol ofRome throughout the world.
The many fierce gladiatorial fights, the thousands of wild beastsslain, the mock sea battles re-enacted there all contributed to makethis structure the most famous of its kind in antiquity. The crossesstanding in various parts of the arena also remind us of thesignificance this awesome structure has acquired over time for Christianity because of the Christian martyrs who are said to havebeen killed there during the persecutions by the Roman emperors. Closeto the Colosseum, the glorious remains of the Forum tell the story ofa market place that was in fact the hub of Roman public activity, withpeople meeting there to discuss business and daily events.
The Pantheon, nearby, is one of the best preserved ancient Romanbuildings and has a very particular history: from its originaldestination as a temple to the gods it was subsequently turned into aChristian church. During the Renaissance some outstanding artists, such as Raphael and Carracci, were buried there and in the 19th century itbecame the burial place of Italian kings. Only a short distance away lies Piazza Navona, perhaps Rome's most famous square. There is nodoubt that its elegant design, the artistically intriguing fountainsdecorating it and the Baroque majesty of the Church of Sant'Agnese inAgone, which overlooks Piazza Navona, make the square so beautiful.Its history is equally fascinating.
The stadium built by Emperor Domitian in the fist century AD wasused for sporting events. Later it became a market square where processions or festivals were also held. In the 17th century it wasrebuilt and embellished by Pope Innocent X. Contrary to popularbelief, no mock sea battles ever took place in this square, but inantiquity the square was actually flooded in summertime to refresh thearea. And, speaking of water, the most famous fountain in Rome is nodoubt Trevi Fountain. You simply cannot afford to miss it: how elsecould you throw your coin in there? As for Roman squares, everybody'smind immediately runs to Piazza di Spagna, which is better known asthe Spanish Steps, from the stairs leading down to it from the Churchof Trinita' dei Monti.
This lovely square has been the subject of so many films andpaintings that it has long been an all-time favourite of tourists fromall over the world. Its charming Baroque style is hard to describe,but certainly holds all visitors spellbound. Bocca della Verita' isanother little jewel in Rome's crown and is so dear to the hearts ofall visitors that it has become an icon of the Eternal City. But there is another aspect of Rome that makes this city truly unique. WhileChristianity was born on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, itfound its natural seat in Rome. Thus, this tour must necessarilyinclude a trip to the Vatican to admire, at least from the outside,St. Peter's Basilica and to visit the Vatican Museums where you willfind one of the best collections of antiquities from Egyptian times tothe Renaissance.
Located at the far end of the Museums, the Sistine Chapel requires no introduction:
Michelangelo's
fresco of the Last Judgment is literally breathtakingand is certain to
leave an indelible memory on anyone taking part inthis magic tour,
which will end with a drive to Janiculum Hill toadmire a splendid
panorama of the city below.
Roadbook for shore excursion: http://www.niceandneasytravel.it
You will be picked up at your ship's gangway by anEnglish-speaking driver who will take you for a tour of the city whichwill comprise two different parts, reflecting the history of theEternal City. It will begin from the very heart of Ancient Rome. Aguide will naturally be available here, upon request. The visit willinclude all the celebrated buildings and monuments of the Ancient Cityand the most famous sights of Rome. The tour will then move on to the Vatican, where you will see St. Peter's Basilica and visit the VaticanMuseums. We would recommend that, in order to fully appreciate thevisit, you secure the services of a qualified English-speaking guidethat, on request, we shall gladly provide for you. At your request weshall make arrangements for your lunch at some time during your tour,but this would necessarily shorten your sightseeing time.
Note: full-day shore excursion (FDSE) will normally last 9 hours, inclusive of travelling time to and from your ship.
Kindly note also that, in order to ensure that you bypass tiringand time-consuming lines and the tour takes place as described aboveand within the ordinary time limits, it would be essential for you toobtain admission tickets to the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums inadvance. We shall of course gladly make arrangements on your behalf tothis effect.
Roadbook for shore excursion: http://www.niceandneasytravel.it
You will be picked up at your ship's gangway by anEnglish-speaking driver who will take you for a tour of the city whichwill comprise two different parts, reflecting the history of theEternal City. It will begin from the very heart of Ancient Rome. Aguide will naturally be available here, upon request. The visit willinclude all the celebrated buildings and monuments of the Ancient Cityand the most famous sights of Rome. The tour will then move on to the Vatican, where you will see St. Peter's Basilica and visit the VaticanMuseums. We would recommend that, in order to fully appreciate thevisit, you secure the services of a qualified English-speaking guidethat, on request, we shall gladly provide for you. At your request weshall make arrangements for your lunch at some time during your tour,but this would necessarily shorten your sightseeing time.
Note: full-day shore excursion (FDSE) will normally last 9 hours, inclusive of travelling time to and from your ship.
Kindly note also that, in order to ensure that you bypass tiringand time-consuming lines and the tour takes place as described aboveand within the ordinary time limits, it would be essential for you toobtain admission tickets to the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums inadvance. We shall of course gladly make arrangements on your behalf tothis effect.
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