Roman Highlights

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30 P.M. to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).

This morning you will enjoy breakfast before you take a short transfer to start your tour for the day. Step back in time with a guided exploration of Rome’s most iconic ancient sites — the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill — uncovering stories of emperors, gladiators, and daily life in the Eternal City. After exploring, you’ll have some free time to get lunch and explore on your own. In the evening you’ll depart on a private transfer from your hotel where you’ll trade ruins for recipes as you join a hands-on Italian cooking class, learning to prepare classic dishes before enjoying your creations over dinner with local wine. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes, and pack a reusable water bottle, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

• Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

  Take a 15 minute private transfer to the Colosseum, where your journey into the heart of Ancient Rome begins. As you step through the arches of this monumental amphitheater, you will be transported back to a time when gladiators fought for glory and emperors ruled with absolute power. The guide will lead you through the Colosseum’s vast interior, sharing stories of epic battles, architectural marvels, and the cultural significance of this iconic structure. The experience continues with a walk up to the Palatine Hill, one of the most ancient areas of the city and the legendary birthplace of Rome. Then venture through the Roman Forum, once the bustling heart of ancient Rome, where temples, arches, and ruins tell the story of an empire’s rise and fall. Stroll along the same paths once walked by senators and citizens alike, and take in the grandeur of this historic site. The pavement inside the Colosseum and Roman Forum is stone and uneven, so please remember to wear comfortable shoes.

  10:00· 180 min· Rome
• Italian Cooking Class

  This evening you will depart from your hotel on a 30 minute transfer to your cooking class. Experience the heart of Italian cuisine with an authentic hands-on pasta cooking class in Rome. Under the guidance of a local chef, learn the traditional techniques of making fresh pasta from scratch — from preparing the dough to shaping classic varieties such as tagliatelle or ravioli. Enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere as you cook, then sit down to a delicious dinner featuring your own creations, perfectly paired with fine Italian wine.

  17:00· 240 min· Rome

After breakfast today, set out to discover the heart of Rome as you visit the city’s most beloved landmarks — the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon — each brimming with history and charm. Enjoy free time for lunch before continuing to Castel Sant’Angelo, where panoramic views of the Eternal City await. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes, and pack a reusable water bottle, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

• Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon Guided Walking Tour

  Take a short transfer to begin your walking tour with your local Guide. Stroll through the charming Spanish Steps, where elegance meets history. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, making a wish come true. Then, immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring Pantheon, a marvel of ancient engineering. Admission to the Pantheon is included. You will be walking for approximately 3 hours (2.5 miles) on normal road surfaces, with the exception of some cobblestone streets.

  10:00· 180 min· Rome
• Castel Sant'Angelo visit

  After enjoying some free time for lunch you will walk with the Tour Leader toward Castel Sant’Angelo. The stroll takes about 15 minutes and passes through some of Rome’s most scenic streets, with views of the Tiber River and St. Peter’s dome. Discover one of Rome’s most fascinating landmarks with a guided visit to Castel Sant’Angelo. Originally built as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, this majestic fortress has served many roles throughout history — from imperial tomb and papal refuge to a military stronghold. As you explore its winding corridors, grand halls, and ancient chambers, your guide will reveal stories of emperors, popes, and legends that shaped its past. Climb to the panoramic terrace for breathtaking views over the Tiber River and St. Peter’s Basilica — a perfect moment to take in the timeless beauty of Rome.

  15:00· 120 min· Rome

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).