For the past two millennia Rome has served as the setting for some of Western civilization's most crucial events. For nearly as long, its name has suggested glamour, passion and romance. From the Sistine Chapel to the Roman Catacombs, from the Trevi Fountain to the Colosseum, take in all of enchanting Rome.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Rome

Board your overnight transatlantic flight to Italy's capital.

Day 2 - Rome

Touch down in Rome, where a Go Ahead representative meets you as you clear customs. You'll be escorted to your centrally located hotel and have the rest of the day to unpack and relax.

Day 3 - Rome

Italy’s capital resonates with culture, tradition and allure as well as 25 centuries of history. You’ll have time to explore this wonderful, ancient city at your leisure with your choice of independent activities. Take in all the art and architecture that greet the eye at every turn today—from relics of Caesar’s reign to treasures of the Renaissance. Alternatively, embark on an optional sightseeing tour of the city, which takes you to the Colosseum and the Forum Romanun. (B)

$79 USD

Imperial Rome Walk in the footsteps of Roman emperors during today’s guided tour of Imperial Rome. View the 2,000-year-old Colosseum and the grassy ruins of the Forum Romanum. Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 4 - Rome

Stroll across the Spanish Steps today, meeting place for all of Rome, then see Bernini’s captivating Fountain of the Four Rivers and stop at the legendary Trevi Fountain, where centuries of visitors have tossed coins to ensure their eventual return to Rome. Those interested in classical sculpture might choose to plan a visit to the Capitoline Museums, which houses a collection assembled in the 15th century by a pope who loved the arts. Otherwise, take an optional tour of Vatican City to see inside St. Peters Basilica, gaze up at the Sistine Chapel, and experience Michelangelo’s Pietà. (B)

$85 USD

Vatican City *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* This guided tour takes you into the world’s smallest state, Vatican City, and visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum.  Please note: This excursion requires advance reservations and must be booked prior to your final payment deadline.

Day 5 - Rome

The Sant’Angelo Castle, one of Rome’s less touristed stops, once guarded the entrance to the Vatican and now contains a collection of antique arms and armor. You can visit this treasure or opt to leave the cacophony of Rome behind for an afternoon spent exploring Lazio’s wine region, with stops at Castel Gandolfo and Ariccia. (B)

$105 USD

Ariccia lunch and wine tasting Famous for its porchetta, an excellent local roast pork recipe, and for its excellent wine, Ariccia is a wonderful place to stop for lunch.

Day 6 - Rome

For a peek inside Rome’s only example of Gothic architecture, make a visit to the Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church, where you’ll see one of the lesser-known works of Michelangelo and the tomb of the painter Fra Angelico. You might also opt to head south and explore the ruins of Pompeii on today’s optional excursion. (B)

$165 USD

Pompeii Discover how Roman citizens lived two thousand years ago, before Mt. Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, preserving the town of Pompeii in a flood of volcanic ash. View the excavated ruins of theaters, villas, temples and baths.

Day 7 - Rome

Rome was a favorite destination for many of England’s most famed poets. To learn more about their life here, you can tour the Keats and Shelley Memorial House, where English poet John Keats died in 1821. Or you travel on an optional excursion to Florence, a city loved by writers, poets and painters, and perhaps best immortalized in the romantic tale, A Room with a View. (B)

$199 USD

Florence by Train In the timeless city of Florence, see where the Italian language was born, travel to the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo lie and shop along the famed Ponte Vecchio.

Day 8 - Rome

Enjoy you final day in Rome by basking in the city’s sights, sounds and—most of all—its flavors. Be sure to spend an afternoon sipping cappuccino at a café on Piazza Navona and absorbing the passing scene, a celebrated Roman tradition! Or to see something truly otherworldly, opt to descend below the streets of Rome into its catacombs, where early Christians buried their dead. Tonight, conclude your tour with a magical optional evening Dinner with Tenors, a night that is sure to be a musical and culinary feast! (B)

$79 USD

Dinner with Tenors End your day with an elegant four-course dinner in the heart of Rome. While you dine, you’ll be entertained by talented singers performing some of opera’s most beloved masterpieces. Don’t miss this festive evening, sure to leave you with wonderful memories of Italian hospitality!

$65 USD

Roman Catacombs Descend into Rome’s ancient catacombs, underground labyrinths where 2nd-century Christians buried their dead, including saints.

Day 9 - Rome

A Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home. (B)
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Italy, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact the Italian consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no recommended immunizations for travel to Rome.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Most sightseeing is conducted by private motor coach. For some included visits and optional excursions, be prepared for some more walking through elaborate monuments and museums, with steps.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that bare legs and shoulders are officially not allowed in churches or other religious sites. Entrance may be denied on this basis.

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in Italy rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.