You will walk along this Piazza in order to access the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Nothing was added from the time of the Roman Empire, what you see, is more or less the view that the romans had in the past.
Visit the Colosseum, one of the largest structures of the ancient world, where Romans once gathered to watch the gladiator games, battles with wild beasts, and according to legend, sea battles. Discover how the Colosseum, a massive stone amphitheater which seated an estimated 60,000 spectators, was built in only 8 years. Your guide will unlock fascinating stories of the design and construction, the political benefit, the fighters, and the eventual end of the games at the Colosseum.
At the Roman Forum, your guide will bring to life the mythology, the popular celebrations of the time, and the gods of ancient Rome, which are reflected in the star signs in contemporary astrology. Learn how the pagan holiday Saturnalia influenced the unfolding of Christmas on the 25th of December today. Listen to the story of the Lapis Niger (Latin for ‘black stone’), the most ancient Latin text ever discovered in the world - which is housed in the foundation of a column in the Forum. Discover the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. They worked in the temple for a period of 30 years under different emperors and were regarded almost as goddesses in status. Their foremost duty was maintaining the sacred fire of Vesta which represented the heart of Rome. As legend has it - as long as the sacred flame burned, Rome would endure and be victorious.
Admire the view of the most important Triumphal Arch of Rome dedicated to the Famous Emperor Costantine. This Arch represents a turning point of the Roman History and Art, a dividing line between the rise of the Christians and the decline of the Roman Empire.
Treat yourself with a customized private tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Visit some hidden gems of the museums and explore rooms closed to the general public at all times. Meet your guide at your hotel where you will be picked-up and travel together to the Vatican Museums. Skip the line for fast-track entry to the world famous Vatican museum complex, made up of galleries with an impressive number of artwork and masterpieces from antiquity to present day. During your visit you will have a chance to see one of the world’s finest collections of sculptures, carvings, frescoes and paintings. Enjoy the impressive Belvedere Courtyard and then stroll through the most interesting rooms and galleries of the museum complex. Marvel at the famous Lacoon and the Belvedere Torso at the sculpture museum, deeply revered by Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists.
The Cortile della Pigna, or "Court of the Pine Cone," is a tranquil courtyard within the Vatican City, named after a colossal bronze pine cone that dates back to Ancient Rome. This pine cone, once a fountain, stands as the centerpiece of the courtyard, symbolizing enlightenment and eternal life. The courtyard, nestled between the Vatican Museums' Belvedere Palace and the Apostolic Palace, is an embodiment of the Renaissance spirit, blending art, nature, and history in a serene setting.
The Vatican Museums' Gallery of Tapestries showcases stunning 15th and 16th-century tapestries, intricately woven with scenes from biblical and historical narratives. Inspired by designs from Raphael’s school, this gallery highlights the artistic sophistication and storytelling of the Renaissance.
The Gallery of Maps, inside the Vatican Museums, displays a stunning collection of topographical maps of Italy. Created in the 16th century under Pope Gregory XIII, these beautifully painted maps span 120 meters, offering a unique geographical snapshot of the Italy of the past.
The Gallery of the Candelabra is a part of the Vatican Museums, showcasing a rich collection of Greek and Roman statues, sarcophagi, and reliefs. It is named for the grand marble candelabra that decorate it, dividing the gallery into thematic sections. Set up in the late 18th century, the gallery merges ancient art with stunning architectural details, providing visitors a journey through history and beauty.
The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. It is known throughout the world both for being the place where the conclave and other official ceremonies of the Pope are held (in the past also some papal coronations), and for being decorated with one of the most famous and celebrated works of art of artistic civilization the frescoes by Michelangelo
St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is a renowned architectural masterpiece and an iconic symbol of the Catholic faith. Built over what is traditionally considered the tomb of Saint Peter, the first Pope, its construction involved legendary figures like Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. The basilica is famous for its majestic dome, ornate interiors, and the significant role it plays in Catholic traditions.
The Baldachin in St. Peter's Basilica is a breathtaking masterpiece of art and architecture. Designed by the renowned Baroque sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it stands as a magnificent bronze canopy over the high altar of the basilica. This ornate structure, adorned with intricate details and towering over 90 feet tall, serves as a symbol of the grandeur of the Catholic Church and a focal point of the basilica's interior. It is a true marvel that captivates visitors with its beauty and historical significance.
The Pietà (1498–1499) is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.
St. Peter's Square, or Piazza San Pietro, is a large plaza located in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini from 1656 to 1667, the square embodies the grandeur and embrace of the Baroque style. The square features a double colonnade and a central obelisk flanked by two large fountains. As a religious and architectural symbol, the square often serves as the gathering point for thousands of Catholics during papal addresses.
Our day with Pamela was amazing. Her knowledge of the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica and the coliseum was extraordinary. Should I do the trip again I would not have tried to fit so much into one day. We were suprised at the amount of people visiting, but Pamela worked her way masterfully through all of the crowds to give us the best experience.
We had an incredible experience touring Rome and the Vatican with Simone! Our journey took us from the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum. Simone made every stop unforgettable, sharing his deep expertise of history, culture and purpose. His passion truly brought history to life. I can honestly say, for me, Simone presented one of the most educational experiences I have ever been fortunate to experience. I sincerely recommend this wonderful opportunity to anyone planning a trip and wanting to learn and understand the history of Rome. The best day you will ever have!
We had a fantastic day with Rosie (Rosalba), she is so knowledgeable and kept us intrigued and we learned so much. We had VIP access so no waiting around which allowed us to maximize the day. Our transfers were timely and ready to take us to each destination. I highly recommend Rosie and would request her again when we visit Rome.
NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING!! Rosalba met us at our hotel and took us on an AMAZING tour of the Coliseum, Forum and the Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel and St.Peters Basilica. If a tour of these places are on your bucket list - I strongly suggest you book with CityEyes and spend the extra money and get a private tour. Our tour guide Rosalba has a degree in Art History and she told us that when she isn’t guiding a tour, she loves to always be learning. What an extremely kind person to be sharing her knowledge of past history, current events and what might happen in the future of these important structures in world history. It felt as if we were walking with an old friend as we trekked more than five miles starting at 8:45 and ending at 4:30. Her English was impeccable and her explanations were easy and to the point. She also took us to a “no host” lunch at an incredible Italian restaurant across from the Vatican. (We enjoyed Rosalba’s company so much that we insisted on buying her lunch! A lot of walking but little to no lines as booking with CityEyes included special passes that had us bypassing the queues. Extremely moving as we entered the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Even more moving when Rosalba would point out the little known details of the current and past Popes. The communication and logistics before the tour was explained well when we booked and also during the days leading up to the tour. Our little group of four knew exactly what to wear in terms of closed-toed shoes and what was acceptable attire to enter the Vatican and all its splendid history. All in all the day was awesome and the memories will be cherished!!
Excellent face paced tour with extremely knowledgeable guide. Only small issue I had was that although the car picks you up at your hotel, it did not drive us back.
Alex was the best. Never waited in line, even got us in positions for the best photo spots
Outstanding tour of the Colosseum, Roman ruins, and the Vatican Museums with our guide, Marco. It made a real difference to see these sites with an expert. Our family had a wonderful day! Thank you Marco and CityEyes Private Tours!
An overall amazing experience. Our guide, Alessandro, was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining - I could not recommend him enough. Being an 8 hour tour, he hit all the highlights. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rome.
Rosie made the tour an amazing experience. Her knowledge of the history of Rome and its architecture; blended with her storytelling capabilities, kept both my wife and I attentive, curious, laughing at times and enjoying each step of the way. Rosie made the journey through Rome at 100+ degrees outside enjoyable.
It’s a long day, but so worth it! So much amazing history. Our guide Gio was amazing! She was so knowledgeable and passionate. My husband wasn’t feeling great and it was so hot! She took such good care of him and us. Highly recommend
We booked our tour through CityEyes Private Tours. From the moment we were picked up, everything was perfectly organised. Our guide, Azzurra, met us right on time and immediately made us feel welcome. We are a couple in our mid-sixties, and Azzurra tailored the day's pace perfectly to suit us, making the experience both comfortable and enjoyable without ever feeling rushed. Her enthusiasm, warmth, and constant smile made the day a pleasure from start to finish. Azzurra has an incredible knowledge of Rome's history and brings it to life with fascinating stories and explanations. She didn't just show us the famous landmarks—she helped us understand their history, significance, and the people behind them, making every stop memorable. This was far more than just a sightseeing tour; it was a full-day journey through Rome with someone who is passionate about sharing her city. Her professionalism, energy, and attention to detail were outstanding. We cannot recommend Azzurra highly enough. If you're looking for an exceptional guide who is knowledgeable, engaging, thoughtful, and genuinely cares about her guests having the best possible experience, then Azzurra is the perfect choice. She made our visit to Rome truly unforgettable.
Our guide for our Full Day Tour of the Vatican and Colosseum was Rosalba and she was phenomenal. She was very knowledgable about the places we visited and was very open to our questions. It was a pleasure spending the day with her and we highly recommend her to others. Thanks Rosie!
We spent the afternoon exploring the Vatican and the Colosseum for the first time with Rosi from Eyes of Rome. She was absolutely lovely. She is so knowledgeable about Italian history and everything Italy. We learned so much and loved our time with her. I am sure all tour guides from Eyes of Rome are wonderful but if you get the chance, ask for Rosi.
Lots of walking, but awesome experience. Extremely knowledgeable tour guide. Strongly recommend if you have limited time in Rome.
Benjamin was excellent at navigating the queues and also the knowledge he shared. He did a great job as he catered to both the adults and the 2 young boys we had with us (12 years old). He was personable and very engaging - highly recommend the tour! The best way to see 2 of the most spectacular sites.
Great experience and tour guide was very educational and an experienced archeologist! Our boys had a wonderful time. Bring an umbrella and a fan if traveling in the summer.
Marina our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and incredibly informative. A true pleasure with great stories
We only had one day in Rome, so chose a full day tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museum to include the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter‘s Basilica. It was a full day, but we loved every minute of it. Sylvia was energetic and fun, knowledgeable and managed the time very efficiently. We saved so much time with her knowledge of how to navigate these tours in the most efficient manner possible. I highly recommend her as a guide and Eyes of Rome as a tour company as everything went perfectly.
Are you in Rome? Then, this is the tour for you! It begins by picking you up at your hotel and having a private transport to the Plaza to meet your tour guide Gianluca. He will walk you to the Colosseum and give you a short history of the outside and what you’re looking at. You get to skip all the lines and see a different perspective of how life was during those times. My husband loves history and I’m more a novice, but Gianluca was able to educate us both about the history we were walking. We took breaks and stopped in all the best shaded places to still see the sights. We had lunch at the best pizza place around too! We were then picked up and driven to the Vatican. Again, we skipped all of the long lines and walked into the city. Wow! It was amazing. Gianluca again, made sure to watch us and to see when we needed breaks and was able to answer all of our questions. He even made a picture book to go over what used to be in certain places or to help us understand the history behind each sight. After we finished visiting all of the sights, we were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. It was such a life changing experience to see all of the history without worrying about the small hassles of lines, transportation, questions about the history or art. You need to selected this tour and ask for Gianluca!
Eli brought every location and monument to life, and made me a fan of Michelangelo! I learned more in one day than my years of roman history in school.
We had a fantastic day with Maria-Linda. After an early start we did Vatican museums, St Peters Basilica including climbing to the top. Stopped at an awesome local place for lunch. Then Colosseum and Roman Forum in the afternoon. Everything went smoothly. We would never have got through it all without help. She was really patient with the kids and went at a pace that we were happy with. Thank you for a great day.
Our day tour with Eleonora was so much more than we expected! Eleonora's English was exceptional. Her knowledge of the Vatican, Colosseum and Roman Forum made our first visit easy. She was able to teach us and show us so many things we would have missed on our own. Our next time in Rome we will certainly be using Eleonora as our guide.
We recently took a full day tour in Rome…Colosseum and Forum in the morning and Vatican in the afternoon. Our tour guide, Rosie, was very simply the best tour guide we have ever had anywhere in the world. Her knowledge was near encyclopedic and she presented it as if a close friend was talking to you. The things we learned from her were amazing as she had the ability to make you feel the experience. By the end of the day we were a bit in awe over what we had seen and most importantly learned from Rosie. If you ever have the chance to join her as your tour guide you will be incredibly glad you did. Wow.
This was absolutely the best tour we took in our ten days in Italy!! Rosie was our guide and she was phenomenal! She was so fun and informative. She put us at ease from the moment we met her. She was an art history major and really knew how to explain the history to us in understandable terms. We were impressed with her ability to answer all of our questions and she kept the pace of the day moving so we didn't miss anything! It was an additional pleasure to have her join us for lunch!
Very good and our guide Azzurra was very knowledgeable. 7hrs is a perfect amount of time for all of it. Good place to stop for lunch
Denis is the BEST! Punctual, knowledgeable, informative, passionate - a true pro! We only had a short time in Rome and wanted to hit the highlights - Denis was perfect! He answered every question with enthusiasm and great insight - he shared so many incredible tidbits about the locations we visited. He was amazing! I would HIGHLY recommend booking Denis for ANY tour in Rome - this man knows his stuff but shares it in a way that doesn't feel like a history lesson, but a walk in the steps of the people he talks about. A great experience and well worth the money spent!
During my time in Rome, I had a full-day tour with Eleonora, which was the highlight of my vacation in Italy. As a first-time solo traveler, I was nervous about having a tour alone, but Eleonora eased that concern immediately. We had a wonderful time exploring the Vatican Museums and Colosseum. Eleonora is highly knowledgeable about the symbolism of the various artworks in the Vatican Museums and their significance in history. Her knowledge of the Roman Forum and Colosseum was a dream for a former History major. I learned so much and had the most incredible time on my tour. My parents will be visiting Rome in the Spring and Eleonora is the only choice...you can't go wrong with her!!
We just finished a full day of touring Rome, and we can't stop smiling all thanks to Alessandro. We never dreamed we'd be touring the eternal city with a real-life archaeologist who had first-hand experience excavating the ancient ruins. Nothing cooler than that! Not only was he extremely knowledgeable in all things Roman history, but he was absolutely hilarious and such a pleasure to spend the day with. We had limited time in Rome, so we chose to do 2 yours in one day. We did the 'Vatican Museums Early Morning Prime Tour: VIP Entrance' + the 'Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour' in the afternoon. Initially, we were worried we might get tired/bored after doing 2 full tours in one day. Quite the opposite! Alessandro was the most entertaining, hilarious, charming, charismatic AND knowledgeable tour guide we could've ever dreamed of having. He had us laughing from early morning till the end of the day, all the while giving us a PhD level education in Roman history. He really has a passion for Roman history and it shows! His heart is as big as his smile. If you don't book a tour with Alessandro, you'd be missing out on the best day with one of the jewels of Rome. He has left us with memories of a wonderful day that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. It was truly a privilege to spend the day in Rome with him, and we feel so fortunate to have gained a friend in Alessandro. Thank you Alessandro & Eyes of Rome!!
Our guide Ellie was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She loves and knows Rome and has studied the arts and culture for many years. Very enjoyable and personal touch
Excellent tour, Stefano was our guide he was very sharp at the meeting point, he explained everything very well we had a very nice time and learned a lot.
Our guide for the day was Marina, she was amazing. Very knowledgeable and very personable. She was able to skip the line more than once with us. She took us to a private area of the Vatican museum. She customized the tour based on our request.
Great day with Francesco. Skip the line tour is a must (this is a skip the line tour). Still 1000’s of people there with you to view the treasures of the Vatican. Patience is essential comfortable shoes and water are next in line. Inside the Vatican you have a headset and your guide has a radio so you can listen to the description of all the amazing artifacts. The Sistine chapel was the highlight of the tour. Francesco took time to explain the historical context of the ceiling painting and alter painting of Michelangelo. That is a huge lift to explain and did a magnificent job!
Azurra is an excellent storyteller! She provided an excellent full day tour for four of us. She loves her work and has a constant smile on her face when she is providing the history. She is extremely knowledgeable, and very personable. She helped us do everything, and we could not have seen all that we did in a day without her. Eyes of Rome and Azurra! The best!
Our guide, Denis Pasolini, was wonderful! We had our 9 year old with us and he did such a good job of engaging her but also giving her space when she needed a break from all the learning. :) Would definitely recommend Eyes of Rome and Denis!
Alessandro Cali was our guide and this was an experience we will remember the rest of our lives! Alessandro’s knowledge as an archeologist gave us amazing insights to life and construction techniques that made us appreciate and understand the tremendous accomplishments of the Romans. In addition, his shared personal experiences gave us great insights! Next time we are back in Rome we will do it again, there is so much to learn! Great job Alessandro!!!
Stefania was great. We had a small, early morning group on a very hot and steamy day. Stefania was knowledgeable, thoughtful and guided us through an amazing morning of all the sights all the while helping us stay cool with some "secret" cooling fans on the tour. Very pleasant, would definitely repeat with her whenever we get the chance to go back!
Our tour guide Gianluca Pica was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. We visited the Coliseum as well as the Vatican with Gianluca and could not have been more pleased. Great guide, great guy.
Elisa took us through the Vatican and Ancient Rome. What an unbelievable experience. I cannot imagine taking the trip without a guide. Elisa added so much to our experience. I believe she genuinely loves teaching about her city. Her pride was very evident. I would highly recommend Eyes of Roma and Elisa specifically.
Great Tour guide, extremely knowledgeable and patient with a large group. Would recommend highly. She is open to discuss any aspect of Italy
Alicia was amazing and kind. She also recommended a good place for dinner! She is a wealth of information & history ❤️🙌
WOW!!! That is the one word that sums up this entire 2 day experience. Seriously, folks, when I say that this VIP Private Tour is well worth the money that we invested, it truly was. I can only do this review justice by starting from the beginning :) From the first moment I emailed Eyes of Rome (EoR), to the last day with our guides, it was the best experience and we made life-long friends with our two guides. I contacted EoR via email and asked several questions on what was the best package based on my "wants". They responded within 12 hours with several options for my review. After trading a few emails with more specifics of what I wanted our experience to be, they "customized" a package for me that was not listed on their website. I had specifics requests around a special evening out with my wife where we wanted to visit local markets, local/authentic Italian cuisine along with local wine tour and not the typical "tourist" traps, plus the coliseum, underground coliseum, Early Bird Prime VIP Vatican/Sistine Chapel, Ancient Rome walking tour, City Walking Tour, catacombs, Pantheon, and much more. EoR even arranged to have us picked up by private driver from Port Calcavecchia and driven to our Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Rome. Each day our wonderful EoR tour guides met my wife and I in our hotel lobby to start the day as well as escorted us back each evening to ensure we arrived safely back to our hotel. Yes, this package was expensive for two people but it is the best $2k that we could have ever spent. Everything was included in this price from transportation, food, entrance fees to the different areas, etc. BUT, the best part wasn't the sites, it was the life-long friends we made with our two wonderful tour guides. The first day, Marco Mancini met us at our hotel and gave us the perfect "story telling" tour of everything ancient Rome...Marco is the real life Indiana Jones being that he is an archaeologist by day and "story teller" when his time permits...Marco provided us with so much personal attention and details that we would have NEVER experienced the same through a "traditional" Rome tour or by listening to a pre-recorded device. He is extremely passionate about history and even more about Rome...he then took us to a local market, meat market, cheese store and an outstanding Italian restaurant. We couldn't have asked for a better first day in Rome and it was all made possible by EoR and Marco our personal Story Teller!!!! We were so happy Marco after the first day we asked for to lead our 2nd day but he was already booked and we were thinking that no one would be able to compare to Marco...well...we were in for a great surprise!!!! The next day, Serena Cantagalli, met us very early at our hotel lobby...we INSTANTLY hit it off and could tell that we were going to be in such great hands with her!!! She too brought the same level of passion and intimate knowledge of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel (and much more) and it was like having our own personal art historian providing us with inside information that we would have never learned on a "generic" tour. You HAVE to do the early VIP Prime Vatican tour with Serena as you basically have the entire Vatican to yourself before the crowds are allowed in...it is truly an unbelievable experience...In the end, we came away with instant friendships with Marco and Serena and we still communicate two months after leaving Rome!!!! These are truly great people who bring a level of passion never before seen and a company in Eyes of Rome that truly just care about you having the best experience possible. There is a reason Eyes of Rome is rated as the top "to-do" in Rome and have so many 5 stars...and that reason is due to the great people that love their city and country want nothing more but to bring their passion to you....Thank you Eyes of Rome, Marco and Serena for the best time of our lives.....until we meet again!!!!!!
Multi Grazi Fabi for being such an amazing private guide and showing us the Vatican, the Colosseum and the Forum and much more! We had such a great time with Fabi's excellent knowledge (she has a degree in art history) and her warmth, charm and sense of humor! So happy we went with a private guide who met us at our hotel and took us around the city. We love Rome because of YOU!! Grazi from Tanya and David in Texas, USA
We had a most interesting and fantastic tour with our awesome guide Simone. He is an archaeologist and spent time digging in the Forum ruins. He was so knowledgeable and knew so much history for everywhere we went. I was so impressed by him. He explained all the areas visited with a flair like I never felt it was just talk but that this history was truly a part of his soul. Fantastic day with a fantastic guide.
This was a fantastic day! Our tour guide Gianluca provided a beautiful and balanced day of touring that kept the adults, teenagers and our 10 year old engaged. He was extremely knowledgeable on everything. The art in the Vatican, the history in the Sistine chapel, relics in St Peters church, every historic detail of the coliseum and the the nearby forum. Best of all he was able to “read our group”. He could sense when to go into detail and when to speed up. He arranged a delicious lunch in the middle of the day and knew when to stop for Gelato. All around, a fabulous day and I highly recommend him and this tour company.
We arrived in Rome the day before the tour. We figured we would do it first to get an idea of what to do with the following 3 days. Our guide, Marco, is an Archeologist & professor at the (Rome university). He’s from Gallopini on the “boot heel” of Italy. He’s currently excavating the Petra in Iran. I share that, to give you an understanding of the type of guide we had. He was engaging, supremely knowledgeable and we could tell has a deep love for Italy & it’s culture. We started at the Vatican & toured the Museum. Let me tell you, it’s huge. It would take a few months to see everything. Macro took us to his favorites & shared historical & personal stories throughout our tour. He had a proud moment when he showed us one of the vases he found in Turkey that is on exhibit in the Vatican Museum. I felt as though we had a unique experience at the Museum, due to his wealth of knowledge & the facts/history/stories he told. Leaving the Vatican and heading to the Colosseum & Roman Forum was a great change of pace & was definitely in Marco’s wheelhouse. He lit up when he spoke about the history & how the Romans & Italians have truly shaped our entire World. What I loved, is that Marco made it a point to tie everything back to Rome/Italy. Everything you think comes from France or Spain - according to Marco, it originated in Italy. In conclusion, the tour got our visit to Rome off with a bang.
Superb visits in exceptional conditions linked to the low attendance of post-covid places. Unforgettable moments with our great guide Azzura. The kids loved:-)
A 5-hour discovery of Rome's essential sites with our guide Barbara DaRosa Thank you for your time
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