The Ancient Romans in Italy

As your plane descends over the Italian coast, try to pick out the five hills that have defined the Roman cityscape since antiquity. Once you disembark, it’s time to explore these famous sites on foot. Walk in the footsteps of the great Caesars, from the Colosseum to the Forum, before mounting the Capitoline Hill to explore the famous Capitoline Museum.

Retire for the evening to the Residenza Torre Colonna, where you can enjoy the aesthetics of Renaissance Italy with all the comforts of a modern hotel.

Spend your first full day in the city ambling down ancient streets and under stone arches as you make your way to the National Museum of Rome. You can find the Baths of Diocletian just around the corner from the museum. These baths are some of the best-preserved ruins inside the city gates. Take note of the ancient aqueducts around the city. The Romans were pioneers of ancient infrastructure, installing a complex system of plumbing and sewage that provided for the health and wellbeing of their citizenry.

Grab dinner at one of the many fantastic Italian eateries in the Trastevere! Take your pick from hole-in-the-wall mom and pop bistros to luxury prix fixe dining.

No trip to Rome would be complete without a jaunt across the border into the last remaining absolute monarchy in the Western World! Inside the Vatican City-State you can register for a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the many Vatican Museums.

Consider committing to a day on foot to reduce your carbon footprint. Vatican City is the perfect size for a walking tour, and the Via del Corso has some of the best sunset views in all of Rome. If nothing else, you can tell your friends you saw an entire country on foot!

Travel back in time and visit the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, Roman cities destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. When Vesuvius erupted, the pyroclastic flow encased these ancient cities in lava, preserving their contents for centuries. Today, Pompeii and Herculaneum remain two of the most productive archaeological sites in Italy. Their exploration has yielded some of our most valuable insights into Roman life and culture.

Some of the areas may be off-limits due to damage caused by reckless tourist traffic. Be a conscientious student of the ancient world and abide by the signage while on your overseas adventure!

Spend the night in Naples at one of the many historic Neapolitan hotels. Don’t forget to indulge in a world-famous Neapolitan pizza!

Take a train ride along the Mediterranean until you reach the stunning Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy. Explore some of the famous Roman Villas along the coast or step out of civilization to enjoy one of the many beautiful hikes in this unique region at the heel of the boot.

Spend the night in Sorrento, land of mermaids, oranges and lemon groves.

Wake up with an early breakfast at one of the espresso cafes lining the waterfront. From the city of Sorrento you can take a day trip by boat to visit the luxurious Island of Capri. Spend the day at sea, navigating the coastline by motorboat or kayaking through the island’s famous series of aquatic caves. Take note of the measures taken to preserve this unique ecosystem from the impacts of popular tourism.

Return to Sorrento in the evening and catch the train back up to Rome.

Take one final stroll down the Via Appia and grab a donut at Doce Doce on the Via de Cappellari. Jet back home with a ground level experience of the Italian city that once conquered the world, and a deepened appreciation for the serene beauty of the Mediterranean Coast.