Rome

The countdown is over! The adventure begins at the airport, where you’ll meet the rest of the group who’ll share this trip with you. After a short flight, we land in Rome, transfer to the hotel and check in. Then we head straight to Trastevere, one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods, across the Tiber. Its narrow cobbled streets, ivy-covered buildings, little churches and hidden piazzas feel like a movie set. As the sun goes down, the neighborhood comes alive with trattorias and wine bars. It’s the perfect place for our first Roman dinner: a plate of pasta, a glass of wine and the feeling that you’ve truly arrived. Benvenuti a Roma!

Today we travel back 2,000 years. After breakfast, we visit the most iconic monument of the ancient world, the Colosseum. Inaugurated in 80 AD, it could hold around 50,000 spectators who came to watch gladiator fights and grand public spectacles. Standing inside its massive arches, you can almost hear the roar of the crowd.

Right next to it lies the Roman Forum, the political, religious and commercial heart of ancient Rome. Walking among the ruins of temples, basilicas and triumphal arches, you’ll follow the same path as senators and emperors. We then climb Palatine Hill, where according to legend Rome was founded by Romulus, and where emperors later built their palaces. From the top, the view over the Forum is simply unforgettable.

In the afternoon, we walk to Piazza Venezia and the imposing Altare della Patria. In the evening, we head to Monti, Rome’s trendiest neighborhood, for our first real Italian aperitivo: a spritz, tasty bites and good company.

Today we visit the smallest country in the world: the Vatican. First stop is the Vatican Museums, one of the largest art collections on the planet, with ancient sculptures, Renaissance masterpieces and the stunning Gallery of Maps. The visit ends at the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo painted the famous ceiling between 1508 and 1512, including the iconic “Creation of Adam,” and later the dramatic “Last Judgment.” Prepare to stand still and just look up.

Next, we enter St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, home to Michelangelo’s “Pietà” and Bernini’s bronze canopy. If you have the energy, you can climb up to the dome for a breathtaking view over St. Peter’s Square and the whole city.

In the afternoon, we walk along the Tiber to Castel Sant’Angelo. It was originally built as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian and later became a papal fortress. The bridge in front of it, lined with Bernini’s angels, is one of the most photogenic spots in Rome.

In the evening, you can choose to:

• Join a pasta-making class: Learn from local chefs how to make fresh pasta and tiramisu, then enjoy the meal you’ve prepared.
• Stroll around Prati: An elegant neighborhood near the Vatican, full of local restaurants and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Today is dedicated to Rome’s historic center. We start at the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved buildings of ancient Rome. Rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian around 125 AD, it still has the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, with the famous opening at the top that lets in a beam of light (and, occasionally, rain!).

A short walk takes us to Piazza Navona, built on the site of an ancient stadium. Its centerpiece is Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, surrounded by street artists and cafés. Next comes the moment everyone waits for: the Trevi Fountain. Tradition says that if you toss a coin over your shoulder into the water, you’ll return to Rome one day. We finish at the Spanish Steps, one of the most famous meeting points in the city, with the luxury boutiques of Via Condotti right at its feet.

The afternoon is free to spend as you like:

• Villa Borghese: Relax in Rome’s most beautiful park, rent a bike or visit the Galleria Borghese with its Bernini and Caravaggio masterpieces (advance booking required).
• Vespa or golf-cart tour: Discover the city Roman-style, weaving through the streets like in “Roman Holiday.”
• Shopping: From Via del Corso to the designer shops of Via Condotti, you’ll find something for every taste and budget.

On our last morning, we visit the colorful Campo de’ Fiori market, full of fresh produce, spices, pasta, olive oil and local treats. It’s the perfect spot to pick up edible souvenirs to take home. Time for one last espresso, one last gelato and one last walk through the streets of the Eternal City. Then we transfer to the airport for our flight home, with full hearts, full suitcases and a coin in the Trevi Fountain promising we’ll be back. Arrivederci Roma!