Rome Small Group Tour: Vatican, Colosseum and Historic Centre

It would take multiple lifetimes to see all that Rome has to offer but we have distilled our most-requested sights into a single day of sightseeing that will leave you dazzled by the artistic, historic and architectural wealth of the city. It may not cover everything, but it's a very good start.

You'll begin the day overlooking the Roman Forum learning the history of this once-bustling commercial centre and the Empire that it controlled. Then you'll head over to Rome's most iconic symbol, the Colosseum.[readmore]Skipping the long entrance lines, you'll spend a full hour inside, hearing the story of this immense arena and the gladiators that once fought here. Of course, there was a lot more happening here than movies would suggest. Your guide has the full story on the many uses of the Colosseum; from execution ground to dramatic stage. 

From there you'll stroll into the historic city centre to see some of Rome's most impressive public sights. Mingle with the street artists in the shadow of Bernini's fountain in Piazza Navona; gape at the giant oculus in the dome of the Pantheon; and, of course, throw a coin (or two) over your shoulder at the Trevi Fountain to ensure you'll make it back to Rome. You'll top off this part of the day in the sweetest way possible, with a cone of homemade gelato in a local gelateria. 

After that, your guide will give you recommendations for lunch spots before reconvening at the Vatican. Here you'll save hours with skip-the-line tickets, diving directly into the Vatican Museums to discover some of the world's most important art. From treasured ancient artefacts like the Apollo Belvedere to immense Renaissance frescoes, you'll soak up thousands of years of art and history. With your expert guide on hand, you'll also hear the stories that bring these masterpieces, and the men who created them, to life. 

The highlight of the Museums is, of course, the Sistine Chapel with its incredible frescoes painted by Michelangelo. Before you visit this room your guide will teach you all about Michelangelo and give you a handout with details of the frescoes and what to look for. This way you'll have 15 - 20 minutes of peace to soak up what is possibly the world's greatest work of art. 

From the Sistine Chapel, you'll enjoy one last benefit of a guided tour: a special door into St. Peter's Basilica that allows you to skip the infamously long entrance lines. They'll walk you through and give you an introduction to the huge church and its artworks (you can't miss Bernini's altar or Michelangelo's sculpture), then you'll be left to explore its wonders for yourself.