About Rome
- Rome’s Carnival: From Ancient to Modern Times
16 February, 2023 - Rome's Budding Street Art Scene
25 January, 2023 - The Life and Reign of Emperor Claudius
19 January, 2023
Why Choose It?
- Explore the Roman Forum, the epicenter of ancient life, with your expert private guide.
- Ascend the Palatine Hill for sublime views from the cradle of Rome.
- Paint your watercolor of Rome under professional guidance and a range of delicious snacks.
Tour Description
**Painting on the Palatine is our suggested itinerary, but if you would instead like to try your hand at watercolours from the Orange Garden on the Aventine Hill or Castel Sant’Angelo, just let us know and we can tailor your private tour.
This private tour guides you through the gripping history of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill before immersing you in an art class overlooking the ruins of the ancient city. After an in-depth, 90-minute tour , we’ll take up position on the Palatine Hill. Here you’ll create your own watercolor capturing the stunning scenery stretched out before you.
Bask in the warming Roman sunshine and graze on a selection of sweet treats while you work away on your masterpiece. Suitable for all levels and ages, from first time painters to aspiring Monets, this tour is fully-customizable.
Explore the Roman Forum
Entering the Roman Forum, we’ll walk the ancient cobbled stones of the Sacred Way, the road along which triumphant generals processed in their chariots towards their terminus on the Capitoline Hill.
Passing by the Arch of Titus, whose reliefs depict one of Roman history’s most fascinating episodes, you’ll step inside the Roman Forum, where your expert guide will breathe life into its millennia-old monuments.
Among the ruins of the Roman Forum, we’ll unearth the epicenter of ancient Roman life. We’ll find the site of Julius Caesar’s cremation, where riots almost broke out in the days after his murder. We’ll marvel at the Temple of Vesta, home to Rome’s sacred fire which the Vestal Virgins kept forever kindled.
Your private guide will bring to life the Forum’s expansive basilicas: large colonnaded buildings where Romans held law courts, conducted all political and financial business, and mingled with one another. Learn all about the Roman Forum’s temples: some built to honor the Capitoline gods; others to honor emperors who, after shuffling off their mortal coil, the State declared gods.
Approaching the far end of the Roman Forum, just between the Palatine Hill and the Capitoline Hill, we’ll stand in the shadow of the imposing Arch of Septimius Severus. Commemorating Rome’s victory over one of her most dangerous enemies, for reasons that continue to elude us it’s one of Rome’s most popular monuments for couples’ selfies!
Tour the Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is the cradle of Roman history. It was here that Romulus built his first fortifications, committing his famous act of fratricide when his twin brother Remus dared to cross them. During the Republic, Rome’s most affluent residents had their homes here – the likes of Cicero and the young Octavian – who became the emperor Augustus.
Rome’s emperors built their residences on the Palatine, and in doing so gave us our word ‘palace’. The remains of one – the Domus Augustana – still sprawl across the ancient hill, overlooking the Circus Maximus from one side and the Roman Forum from another. Yet many other remains survive, including the House of Augustus, the House of Livia, and even the recently reopened Domus Transitoria of the emperor Nero.
Your tour of the Palatine brings this hill’s rich history to life. Your expert guide will trace the city’s history from the 8th century BC to the fall of the Roman Empire, nourishing you with the knowledge of this incredible civilisation.
Please note that entry into the House of Augustus, House of Livia, and Domus Transitoria is subject to the purchase of advance tickets. If you wish to visit, please let us know so we can obtain your tickets in advance.
Master the art of watercolor with sweeping views of ancient Rome
Having acquainted yourself with both the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, it’s time to commit your memories to canvas through a private watercolor class. Locals and visitors alike ascend the Palatine Hill for the stunning view it offers over the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Here, we’ll capture this sublime ancient landscape from the vantage point of Rome’s most historic hill.
Your 90-minute watercolor class is suitable for all ages and levels, and can be adapted to accommodate your interests. As well as all painting materials, we’ll be laying on a selection of snacks to keep you energized as you create your masterpiece.
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Itinerary:Roman ForumPalatine HillWatercolor painting class and snacks
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Included:Private licensed guideWatercolor materialsSnacks and drinksPriority entrance
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Wheelchair accessible:Yes (Itinerary may differ).
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Meeting Point:Hotel Lobby or Entrance to the Colosseum Metro (Ground Floor beside the Green Kiosk)
excellent guides
Our guides are fluent in English and have a contagious passion for the inspiring cultural heritage of our Italian cities. Experts in their fields, they will immerse you in the hidden histories and intriguing lives of history's great protagonists. So much to see, so easy to miss out: with the help of our guides, visit the most absorbing sites and uncover the stories that have changed the world. Don't miss this fascinating journey!
Terrific Trastevere Food Tour with Luca! Luca took my wife and myself on a wonderful food tour through Trastevere. The things we saw and ate and learned were excellent. The best part was Luca's friendly nature.... read more
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A must do experience This cooking class was a highlight of our trip. We got to meet a young chef, Sara. She had us decide what to cook. Then we walked through... read more
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Best Food Tour We Took! My fiance and I capped off our first full day in Rome with this lovely food tour. Luca was friendly, excited, and knowledgeable. We got to try a ton of... read more
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Worth every penny. What an evening! This was without a doubt the highlight of my trip. A great evening with plenty of incredible local food and drink and a really good way to meet and... read more
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Delicious food from fabulous foody Luca Boccia was PHENOMENAL!
His knowledge of Italian cuisine was exceptional, especially welcomed because it included more than just the well known dishes. He was funny and friendly, making our... read more -
A Must Do Tour of Sistine Chapel Amazing! This was my third time to the Vatican but this time I took my adult/teen children and wife and we used a tour guide. It was a... read more
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Amazing evening activity in Rome Excellent night with Sara on her birthday!
We drank wine, ate amazing food and capped it with gelato!! -
Amazing walking food tour w Luca B My wife and I had an amazing walking food tour through the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere. Luca B was extremely informative and accommodating. Would absolutely recommend to anyone!
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Best tour ever. Martha was our guide. She is the best. They way she explained all , answered our questions give us all the information in every place all was wonderful. It was... read more
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Great Food Stroll with Luca We did the Trastevere Food Stroll with Luca B and he was great! Brought us to great authentic locations and provided his expert advice! We would highly recommend this tour... read more
