A Concert on Piazza Navona
After breakfast, let your legs rest and spend one day exploring Rome’s iconic edifices in a golf cart with your private guide. The guide will pick you up from your hotel and go directly to the phenomenal Colosseum to witness the world’s largest oval amphitheater, which has been standing in Rome’s city center for nearly 2,000 years. With a circumference of 527 meters (1,729 ft.) and a height of 48 meters (157 ft.), the ancient arena can accommodate at most 50,000 spectators and has over 80 entrances. It is not hard to imagine how wonderful the crowd-pleasing spectacles it used to offer were, including fierce gladiator duels, wild animal hunts, and significant anniversaries and rituals.
Getting out of the amphitheater, pass through the majestic Arch of Constantine, which was dedicated to Constantine the Great and inscribed with historical reliefs of military and civil scenes. Your ancient Rome exploration continues, followed by the Palatine Hill & Roman Forum, situated west of the Colosseum. These are the true heart of ancient Rome, where history occurred. Follow your guide to roam around historical palaces, stroll through giant pillars and once royal gardens, and immerse yourself in the world back in time. What’s more, climbing up the Palatine Hill offers another great perspective to see the layers of the Colosseum’s walls and overlook the whole city.
Before heading toward Rome’s another striking landmark, the Pantheon, we will hit its buzzy streets to admire the beauty of Rome’s two glamorous city squares, Piazza Navona and Piazza Venezia, where you may also glimpse the balcony on which the dictator Mussolini gave his fiery speeches. After that, reach the best-preserved Roman monument in the world, the Pantheon, which is dedicated to twelve deities of the Greek and Roman mythologies. You will be blown away by its massive and imposing outer appearance with sixteen 12.5-meter (41-foot) high granite columns. Entering the 2nd-century temple, fix your eyes on the giant concrete dome, which has no support of structural steel, featuring only self-supporting rows of alcoves that were designed to help reduce the weight. Look up at the ceiling, and the 7.8-meter-wide (25-foot) oculus uncovered is the only natural light source inside the temple. You may wonder, what if it rains? Will the temple be flooded? Don’t worry, there are 22 hidden drainage holes in the marble floor.
Later, we will move to the city’s most beautiful Baroque-style Trevi Fountain, also the largest one. The elegant fountain offers a great photo opportunity with white marble mythical figures above the pristine blue waters, and don’t miss throwing a coin into the water for good wishes and a return to Rome one day. At the end of the day, we will head up to the famous Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna. Soak everything in at your own pace, whether you are in awe of the architectural beauty, capturing a pink-gold sunset, or just watching crowds come and go with a gelato in your hands. Finish the visit, and you will be escorted back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: HOTEL ATLANTE STAR (4 stars) or similar
The Colosseum in Rome
Piazza Navona, Rome
