St. Peter's, Roman Catacombs, Trevi Fountain & Colosseum

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

From the comfort of your air-conditioned motorcoach, your scenic 90-minute drive from the port of Civitavecchia to Rome is resplendent with exciting sights as the Tyrrenian Sea gives way to the Eternal City.

Discover the mysterious Roman Catacombs which contain important examples of early Christian art from before 400 AD including frescos and sculptures. The first large-scale catacombs were excavated from the 2nd century onwards. Originally they were carved through tufo, a soft volcanic rock, outside the boundaries of the city, because Roman law forbade burial places within city limits. Furthermore, the pagan custom was to incinerate corpses, while early Christians and Jews buried the deceased. Many lacked the resources to buy land for burial purposes, thus using the soft volcanic rock around Rome to dig tunnels in which to bury their dead.

Christian excavators (fossors) built vast systems of galleries and passages on top of each other. They lie 23 to 62 feet below the surface in area of more than 590 acres. Narrow steps that descend as many as four stories join the levels. Passages are about eight feet tall by four feet wide with burial niches carved into walls.

Step outside and board your motorcoach to venture into Rome for a stroll through St. Peter's Square, featuring a central obelisk, refreshing twin fountains and semicircular colonnades crowned with statues of the saints designed by Bernini. This striking piazza frames the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica. Follow your guide inside the largest basilica in the world to view masterpieces such as the "Pietà" by Michelangelo. You'll have an opportunity to purchase religious articles and other mementos of this unforgettable and spiritual experience.

A short drive through the heart of Rome brings you to an elegant 5-star dining establishment for lunch. You'll toast your day with a glass of sparkling Italian wine and feast on authentic cuisine, exquisitely prepared. A delicious dessert is a necessary indulgence while on holiday.

Refreshed, your afternoon excursions begin as you walk to the Colosseum, one of the grandest of all Rome's monuments. An imposing and beautiful site, the building is immense and was used by Emperors to entertain the public with spectacular games. Your tour includes both exterior and interior views of the structure, affording the opportunity to feel like a true gladiator of Ancient Rome.

What better way to end a day in the Eternal City than with the wish that you'll return once more? Legend has it that if you turn your back and toss a coin into the exquisite Trevi Fountain, it is guaranteed that someday you will return to Rome. The Trevi fountain, inspired by Roman triumphal arches, is the largest and most famous Baroque fountain in Rome. Theatrical in design, the Trevi Fountain has been the star of many films shot in Rome, including romantic films such as Three Coins in a Fountain, Roman Holiday, and of course Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita.

At the end of your day, you will travel back to Civitavecchia in your motorcoach, returning to your Princess ship after an extraordinary adventure in Rome.

Special Notes:

Please Note: free time may be modified to adhere to local regulations and guidelines for COVID 19 protocols.

This tour does not operate on voyages ending in Rome (Civitavecchia).

The drive between Civitavecchia and Rome is approximately 1 1/2 hours each way, subject to traffic conditions.

Sightseeing in the Vatican City will be on foot as motorcoaches, regardless of size, are not permitted in the vicinity.

Visitors must pass through metal detectors at St. Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum. Large bags or umbrellas, bottled water, video cameras, knives or scissors must be checked at the desk.

You might encounter considerable crowds, lines and delays. Should your guide determine that the queue at the St. Peter's Basilica security check point is longer than a 45-minute wait, they will forego the interior visit of the Basilica and provide you with a full explanation and description while outside. You will be provided more time during your shopping or free period to compensate for not entering the basilica .

Proper attire that covers shoulders and legs must be worn by both men and women in St. Peter's Basilica - mini-skirts, shorts and capri pants are not acceptable. In addition, visitors are often required to check large bags, video cameras and bottled water at a desk. Please note that for tour groups on visit to St. Peter's Basilica the use of headsets owned and provided by the site's management is compulsory. Guests will be responsible for missing headsets. St. Peter's Basilica headsets company will charge Euro 50,00 for every missing device.

Please be aware that ongoing restoration work is often being carried out at the various venues visited.

Tour groups are not allowed inside St. Peter's Basilica during religious services. However, entry will be allowed on an individual basis to view the interior quietly and reverently. Should a mass be taking place in St. Peter's Basilica, the entrance may be restricted. Please be aware that Basilica might close for security reason at any given time without previous notice.

For safety reasons, the Minister of Tourism has established a maximum number of visitors that can be allowed inside the Colosseum at once. As a consequence of this new rule also the access of groups with reservation may be stopped and delayed. Should your guide foresee that the queue at the Colosseum is longer than a 45-minute wait, you will forego the interior visit of the Colosseum and an inside visit to the Roman Forum will be made instead.
Due to new regulations established by the Minister of Tourism, on the first Sunday of each month the entrance to the Colosseum is free of charge therefore long lines are expected and entrance to Colosseum cannot be granted.
The visit to the Roman Catacombs is not recommended for Guests suffering of claustrophobia.

Please be aware that ongoing restoration work is often being carried out at the various venues visited.

The tour order may vary but always covering the same sites

This tour involves a great amount of walking, therefore it is not recommended to Guests with walking difficulties or using wheelchairs. Guests must be able to negotiate the steps of the coach.

This tour uses headsets.

Medical Restriction:

The visit to the Roman Catacombs is not recommended for Guests suffering of claustrophobia