Recommended programme: Visit to Campidoglio, now Town Hall of Rome, but once a prison in which, among many others, St Peter and St Paul were "guests". Then on through the magnificent "Forum Area" where recent excavations have revealed even more of Rome's glorious past. Visitors who have been here before will be really surprised to see how many new sites have been excavated. Then leave the Forum to visit the Coliseum. Afternoon free for shopping or Visit the Domus Aurea, the recently restored Palace of Nero (advance booking recommended) and the Baths of Caracalla, the best-preserved imperial baths in the city.Covering 10 hectares, the baths could hold up to 1600 people and featured shops, gardens, libraries and gym facilities. Morning visit to the "Heart of Rome" and the Vatican. The itinerary includes: The church of "Gesù" built in 1568 now home of the Jusuits, the splendid "Piazza Navona" (opera lovers can stop off at the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle - scene of the first act of Puccini's Tosca), then the "Pantheon", one of Rome's most antique and best conserved monuments. The Pantheon was built in B.C. 27, it's dome is larger that that of St. Peter's and has a 9 meter opening in the centre, a most incredible architectural achievement for that time. Two Kings of Italy are buried here as well as the great artist Raffaello. Proceed across the river Tiber in front of the Castel Sant Angelo (again opera fans will remember that this is the fortress from which Tosca jumps to her death). From here proceed to the magnificent piazza in front of St Peters Cathedral. After visiting the Cathedral free time to stroll around the city or visit the Vatican Museums (advanced booking required) and the Sistine Chapel. Half day excursion to Ostia Antica, the ancient port of Rome. An entire city excavated and magnificently conserved. It gives a wonderful idea of the bustling life of soldiers, slaves, sailors and merchants in Roman times. The most important monuments include the Porta Romana, the Terme di Nettuno baths, the theatre, the merchant's offices (full of mosaics) and the "Casa di Diana". Guided visit on foot through the lesser well known (but by no means less interesting) routes through the very centre of ancient Rome. See the recently excavated river port where merchandise and slaves landed in Rome form the river boats that commuted between here and the down river seaport at Ostia, walk along the river to Trastevere and visit the Old Ghetto, and the "Isola Tiberina". or Travel along the old Roman road "Appia Antica", see the Chapel "Domine Quo Vadis" and the catacombs The Appian Way, the more than two-millennia-old road that runs all the way from Rome to Brindisi, is littered with monuments, in particular the Circus of Maxentius, and Roman tombs, such as the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. The route is also known for it's catacombs - tunnels carved into the volcanic rock that were the meeting and burial places of Rome's persecuted early Christians. The atmospheric tunnels are not for the claustrophobic, overweight or chronically unfit. Morning tour by coach/on foot through the heart of Rome. Via del Corso (magnificent buildings, famous shops and the house where Goethe resided), the "Bocca della Verità" (a stone masque shaped like a face with an open mouth, legend has it that the masque will bite the hand off of those who are liars !...), Palazzo Chigi, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza di Spagna (perhaps the most famous Piazza in Rome dear to the memory of Keats, Byron and Shelley), Trinità dei Monti, the Trevi Fountain and finally: the sights that will bring to memory Felini's famous film "La Dolce Vita": Via Veneto and Via Condotti with its elegant shops. Afternoon free. Evening transfer to a restaurant in Trastevere area for a typical Roman dinner followed by a short panoramic tour of "Rome by Night". Full day excursion to Tivoli (the Villa d'Este) and to the "Castelli Romani" in the hills overlooking Rome. The "Castelli" are also famous for the excellent "vino dei Castelli" and a stop will be made in a "cantina" to taste this wine that was served to the Popes. Full day excursion into the beautiful countryside of Umbria, the "Green Heart of Italy". Here we will visit Assisi the home of St. Francis but visits to some of the smaller mediaeval villages will also be made. Then visit the beautifully preservated mediaeval town of Todi. Here time seems to have stopped, and the atmosphere is in deep contrast with the bustling life of the Capital. or Full day excursion to Pompei and Amalfi, the spectacular and ragged coastline peninsular so loved by 19th century poets, artists and musicians.

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