Day 01 : ROME
Upon arrival at Rome, make your own way to the Hotel of your choice. Check-in at the Hotel. Day free at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 02 : ROME
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast enjoy Grand City Tour of Rome. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 03 : ROME
Day free for at leisure for shopping & other independent activities. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 04 : ROME
In the afternoon check out and proceed for your onward journey.
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Rome Attractions

Capitoline Hill
The Capitoline Hill, now the seat of the city's municipal authorities, was the centre of government of ancient Rome, and is the geographical centre of the modern city. It is especially beautiful at night, when it is usually deserted.

The piazza were designed by Michelangelo in 1538. It is bordered by three buildings (also by Michelangelo): the Palazzo Nuovo and the Palazzo dei Conservatori, which together house the Capitoline Museums, and the Palazzo Senatorio at the rear.

Castel Sant' Angelo
This fortress began in AD 139 as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum. It has since been used as a citadel and prison. It has also been used as a residence of the popes in times of political unrest. It is now a museum with military relics and art works.

Forum
Built over 900 years, the Roman Forum (Foro Romano) was the commercial, political and religious centre of ancient Rome from the Republican era until the 4th century AD. The Forum is entered from the piazza leading from the Colosseum. You immediately enter another world: the past. Columns rise from grassy hillocks, and repositioned pediments and columns aid the work of the imagination.

Galleria Borghese
This 'queen of all private collections' was formed by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the most passionate and knowledgeable connoisseur of his day. The collection and the mansion were acquired by the Italian state in 1902; a lengthy restoration took place in the 1990s. The ground floor contains some important classical statuary and intricate Roman floor mosaics. But Bernini's spectacular carvings - flamboyant depictions of pagan myths - are the stars. His precocious talent is evident in works such as Pluto and Proserpine, where Pluto's hand presses into Proserpine's solid marble thigh, and in the swirling Apollo and Daphne, which depicts the exact moment at which the nymph is transformed into a laurel tree, her fingers becoming leaves, her toes turning into tree roots, while Apollo watches helplessly.

There are six Caravaggios, including the wonderfully naturalistic Madonna dei Palafrenieri (Madonna with the Serpent), whose uninhibited realism led to its rejection by its ecclesiastical commissioners, allowing Scipione to snap it up. The paintings on the first floor are testimony to Scipione's connoisseur's eye, and include masterworks by Giovanni Bellini, Giorgione, Veronese, Botticelli, Guercino, Domenichino and Rubens, among others. It's advisable to book.

Holy See
Not many religions actually own a country, but Catholicism isn't just any religion. Holy See (Vatican City) is probably per square foot the richest country in the world, making up for its total lack of natural resources with an astonishing collection of priceless art treasures.
No-one passed on that stuff about the camel and the needle's eye to the Vatican: it's probably the most hysterically, hyperbolically lavish display of wealth you'll ever see. For art lovers it's the mecca of meccas, with iconic treasures ranging from the Sistine Chapel to Bernini's imposing piazza.

Pantheon
Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, restored by Domitian, and subsequently rebuilt by Hadrian (who added the dome) before being turned into a church in the early 7th century by Pope Boniface IV. The building's sole source of light is the opening at the dome's apex (the oculus); according to popular legend, this formed the base for the bronze pinecone that is now in the Vatican's 'Pigna' courtyard, where it is used as a fountain. Many famous Italians are buried in the Pantheon, including Renaissance painter Raphael and King Vittorio Emanuele I.

Appia Antica
The ancient Appian Way was the most important of the consular roads. It was inaugurated in 312 B.C. by censor Appius Claudius Ciecus after whom it was named. The road was especially important for economic reasons as it connected Rome with the south of Italy. Initially it only went as far as Capua along the Pontine marshes, but was later extended to Benevento and then all the way to Brindisi, which encouraged trade with the eastern Mediterranean. This last stretch lost importance however when the Appia Traia Way was opened that stretched down to Bari. Lined with pines and cypress trees, the road is very attractive, particularly where the original paving can be seen. There are many remains of Roman constructions that testify to its ancient splendour and archaeological importance.

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Rome Travel Tips

When to Visit - Arts and Events

'La passeggiata' must be the most renowned and charming Italian social customs where each evening families and friends take an early evening stroll with the intention of 'seeing and being seen'. In Rome, the piazza cafés fill up rapidly as friends meet and catch up on news.

'Estate Romana' (Roman Summer) is a lively summer festival that runs from late June to the end of September where hundreds of cultural and musical events take place in parks, squares and streets throughout the city. Highlights include Teatro dell'Opera's summer season in the Stadio Olimpico, rock concerts on an open-air stage in Testaccio, outdoor cinema on Tiburtina Island and classical performances in the Villa Medici gardens and the Cloisters of Bramante.

A number of smaller festivals also take place throughout the year including; 'Festa di Noantri' in mid-July when some of Viale Trastevere and the surrounding streets are blocked to traffic. Filled with stalls, it stays open until the early hours of the morning and culminates with a firework display. 'Festa di San Giovanni', in June, includes dancing and singing that continues throughout the night. This Saint's Day finishes with a religious candlelight procession. 'Fiera Internazionale di Roma' (Rome International Trade Fair) takes place between May and early June. This is one of the region's most important annual fairs. 'Settimana dei Beni Culturali'takes place in April, when public museums and sites of interest are open free of charge for a week. November brings 'Tutti Santi' (All Saints' Day), followed by 'La Commemorazioni dei Defunti' (or Tutti i Morti), a celebration of Mass, conducted by the Pope and held at Il Verano Cemetery. 'Carnevale' in Piazza Navona takes place on or around 5th January and lasts until dawn the following morning.

Rome Dining

Rome is not only capital of Italy but also of the region of Lazio which is renowned for its food. Robust flavours and rich sauces abound in many typical dishes of the area and pasta and gnocchi, in all their many forms, are served in restaurants across the city. Lazio is notable for dishes featuring lamb, veal (saltimbocca being most famous) and offal, all of which are served with delicious herbs and seasonings. Rome is rich in markets and this is often reflected in the wonderful variety of superb vegetables served in the city's restaurants. Beans are used a good deal in the cuisine and appear in many dishes, hot and cold. On a cool winter's day the visitor seeking a warming lunch could do no better than to choose a flavoursome minestrone soup, which is another of the area's specialities.

Rome Tipping Advice

Tipping is not mandatory although it is customary, depending on whether or not you feel it is deserved. If so, an amount of up to five or ten percent of the bill should be tipped. Some restaurants in Rome include gratuities in the bill, as well as the cover charge.

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TOUR COST :

HOTEL Rate ( Per person on TWIN sharing basis )
Hermitage (2*+) EUR 209.00
Genova (3*+) EUR 229.00
Bernini Bristol (5*) EUR 357.00

PRICE INCLUDES:
1) 03 Nights accommodation at the Hotel of your choice.
2) Daily Breakfast.
3) Classic Rome Tour.
4) All applicable taxes.

OPTIONAL TOURS
Vatican Museums Tour EUR 49.00 per person
Excursion to Capri EUR 135.00 per person
Excursion to Naples and Pompeii EUR 107 per person

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Have a great trip! This itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and AirCruise.

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