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There is no place like Rome. The cosmopolitan city is a refreshing mix of ancient history, culture, great food and wine, and a lively nightlife. From iconic historical sites like the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the beautiful Trevi Fountain to day trips to the beautiful Tuscan Italian countryside, there is plenty to do on a trip to Rome. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and not sure where to start? We hand-selected some of the best tours in Rome to give you an idea of what the city has to offer. Expect amazing photography, authentic and well-spoken tour guides, and a great dose of culture as you cook, drink, and bike in the vibrant Italian capital.
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Best Skip The Line: Vatican Museums Walking Tour
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Rome is full of iconic tours that many travelers want to experience, and as a result, many people end up spending most of their time waiting to enter. The 3-hour “Skip-the-Line Tour” of the Vatican including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel is your “fast pass” to a special ticket to see some of Rome’s most amazing works of art and architecture. The guided tour explores the Tapestry Room, the Gallery of Maps, and the Raphael Rooms, as well as the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam. Explore St. Peter’s Basilica on a fully guided walking tour of the Vatican (with headphones to clearly hear the guide) and see the famous La Pieta sculpture.
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Best Cooking Class: Small Group Pasta Making Class with a Local Chef
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Italy is famous for its fabulous cuisine and travelers can get a hands-on experience with the small-group pasta class with a local chef. The intimate 3.5-hour cooking class takes place in a spacious loft in Rome and covers the basics of different types of pasta. While the chef explains Italian cuisine, prosecco and appetizers are served to travelers. They will teach students how to make pasta from scratch and once the pasta is ready you can enjoy it on the outdoor terrace for wine and conversation while the chef answers questions about Italian cuisine. Viator members said the small group size and casual atmosphere made it easy to meet other travelers.
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Best Food Tour: Roman Food Tour
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If you want to combine tourism with a host of restaurants, the Private Roman Food Tour is a great option. The three-hour tour includes a whopping 10 tastings at 10 stops, including classic Roman meals like Supli, a street favorite snack consisting of fried rice and tomato sauce. Foodies can try fresh fruits at the local market, an original Jewish ricotta cake in the Jewish district, Italian coffee in the most authentic coffee pot in Rome, chocolate, a Roman meat and cheese fountain and a Sicilian pastry. The tour guide will guide the walking tour on a route along the Pantheon, Museo di Roma, and Largo di Torre Argentina with commentary along the way.
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Best Day Trip: Tuscany in One Day Sightseeing
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If you want to take a break from the city and get out and explore famous regions near Rome, Tuscany on a sightseeing day is a great way to go. The 12-hour tour begins with transport from Rome in an air-conditioned coach through the stunning Italian countryside to the Val d’Orcia region. From there, you will take a walking tour of the medieval town of Montepulciano, where you will visit Sant ‘Antimo Abbey and enjoy views of the Montalcino vineyards. Then, a three-course lunch is served on a Tuscan farm with regional wines, including the famous Brunello di Montalcino. After lunch, there is free time in Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to Rome.
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Best Behind the Scenes: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Underground Tour
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If you are the type of traveler who wants to explore further, Ancient Rome and the Colosseum Underground Tour with Third Level can help you do just that. The three-hour guided tour visits parts of the Colosseum that are off-limits to the general public, such as the underground chambers where wild animals were caged, the passages used by gladiators before the games, and even the arena floor, such as expert guides tell. past battles that took place. From there, the tour heads to the Roman Forum to see the temples and learn about daily life in ancient times, the politics, and religion of Imperial Rome.
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Best Bike Tour: Small Group Electric Assisted Bike Tour in Rome City
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Electric bikes can be a fun way to get around town without missing out on the scenery and sights, and the Rome City Bike Tour is a great way to make it happen. The three-hour tour is limited to 12 people and meets in central Rome, where you will board your electric bike. Soon, the guide passes iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum and Pantheon on less congested roads, as well as Campo de ‘Fiori, Piazza Navona, Venezia Square, and Capitoline Hill. You can also expect a great view of the Roman Forum. Your guide will share interesting narratives as you explore lesser-known passages and ancient walls with many photo stops.
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Best for Teens: Roman Gladiator School – Learn How to Become a Gladiator
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For a truly unique tour that’s especially good for teens and tweens, consider spending two hours at Gladiator School. This unique experience includes a hands-on class with instructors from the Historical Group of Rome. Participants will learn to fight with authentic weapons from the Roman Imperial era while wearing traditional gladiator robes and belts. After learning gladiator techniques, travelers can join an optional gladiator tournament and compete with a prize for the winner. All participants receive a certificate of achievement at the end of the experience. Gladiator instruction also includes entry to the Gladiator School of Rome Museum to learn even more about life in Roman times.
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Best Night Tour: Rome by Night with Pizza and Gelato
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Night owls looking for a casual and entertaining night tour should consider the Rome by Night with Pizza and Gelato Tour. The four-hour small-group tour is a great way to mingle and begins with a stop at a classic Roman restaurant for pizza, drinks, and ice cream, followed by a chance to see ancient sites and monuments. In addition to the Pantheon, travelers will stroll through the charming Piazza Navona, home to three fountains, including the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). During the day, the Trevi Fountain is packed with people, but at night the crowds diminish and it becomes a pleasant place to relax. The tour includes round-trip transportation in an eight-passenger minibus.
Continue to 9 of 9 below.
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Best sightseeing tour: Rome Segway tour
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For a fun twist on a classic sightseeing tour that doesn’t require a bus, consider the Segway Tour of Rome. The three-hour guided tour explores ancient Roman sites such as the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus, where chariot races were once held, and the Colosseum for photos and tales of gladiator battles. The small-group experience (eight people only) begins near Piazza Venezia, where you’ll get a brief introduction to Segways before touring the area, covering more ground than a walking tour. Groups also stop at the Church of Santa Maria to see Bocca della Verità (the mouth of truth), a carved piece of marble made famous in the movie, Roman Holiday .
Rome’s main attractions
