Enjoy a taste of la dolce vita on the Spanish Steps, admire Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling at the Sistine Chapel and enjoy dinner amidst the art, history and antiquities of the Vatican.
This page shows Winter Season departures and itinerary; click here to see the main season version of this tour!
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange for flights to arrive on or before Day 1.
Enjoy a taste of la dolce vita on the Spanish Steps, admire Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling at the Sistine Chapel and enjoy dinner amidst the art, history and antiquities of the Vatican.
This page shows Winter Season departures and itinerary; click here to see the main season version of this tour!
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange for flights to arrive on or before Day 1.
Welcome to Rome! On arrival to Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers will operate at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the hotel. Delve into the enthralling culture and ancient heritage of the Eternal City of Rome, exploring the city at leisure before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception at a traditional pizzeria this evening.
Jostle with the locals to get your pick of the best fruits and vegetables at a local food market this morning. Here you'll dive into culture and into Rome's vibrant gourmet scene. Stroll through the Jewish Quarter and sample delicious specialties in its neighborhood bakeries, before taking part in a cooking course with a professional chef. Learn the art of making authentic pasta like only an Italian mamma can and sample your successes afterward. Your appetite appeased, venture to Ancient Rome with a Local Specialist to visit the impressive Colosseum and see the Circus Maximus where exhilarating chariot races were once hosted.
Set your watch to Italian time, enjoying a leisurely start to your day before joining a walking tour with a Local Specialist through Rome. Visit the Baroque-styled Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, tossing a coin to secure your speedy return to Rome. Continue to the heart of Rome and visit the Pantheon, the best-preserved building in the city. Then, wander through the city streets and piazze, admiring the city's imposing monuments, including Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers. Spend time rubbing shoulders with the locals before leaving the city center to visit the ancient catacombs with a Local Specialist who will reveal insights into the city's Christian history.
Spend the day discovering Rome on your own. Saunter past the sights or relax with a coffee and cornetti to soak up the city's authentic atmosphere. Make this free day in Rome count. Venture up Palatine Hill for spectacular views of Ancient Rome, shop along Via Veneto, or relax in the serene gardens of Villa Borghese. Your Travel Director will be able to suggest activities such as museums, shopping or sightseeing.
The morning is yours to continue your leisurely exploration of the glories of Rome, before venturing to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. This afternoon, dive into culture as you gain priority access to the Vatican Museums where a Local Specialist will take you on a guided tour. Admire Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel when it is less crowded and discover the array of artifacts displayed at the Museo Gregoriano Profano, which was founded in the Lateran Apostolic Palace at the behest of Gregory XVI Cappellari in 1844. You'll also enjoy an exclusive after-hours al fresco dinner against the spectacular backdrop of St. Peter's. Should there be adverse weather, a contingency is provided in a newly created dining space within the Cortile della Pigna.
Trace the footsteps of ancient philosophers, senators and emperors as you enjoy a free day to explore Rome. Your Travel Director will give you suggestions on how to spend your day. Alternatively, you may wish to take an Optional Experience to visit the remains of Pompeii, the victim of a devastating volcanic eruption.
We travel to the historic hill-town of Tivoli today, joining our Local Specialist for a guided tour of the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage Italian gardens of Villa d'Este. This Roman retreat, with its spectacular fountains, pools and exquisite architectural elements, had an enormous influence on European landscape design. This evening, we dive into culture, joining our hosts who will prepare a delicious meal including local flavors for you to enjoy with your fellow travel companions.
After breakfast, say farewell to Rome and your newfound friends as you prepare to return home after a memorable sojourn in one of the world's greatest cities. Return transfers will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 7 am and 9:30 am. Conditions apply.
Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
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3 Nov 19 | 10 Nov 19 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
17 Nov 19 | 24 Nov 19 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
1 Dec 19 | 8 Dec 19 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
15 Dec 19 | 22 Dec 19 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
Festive Celebrations
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22 Dec 19 | 29 Dec 19 | $2,150pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
Festive Celebrations
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29 Dec 19 | 5 Jan 20 | $2,175pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
12 Jan 20 | 19 Jan 20 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
26 Jan 20 | 2 Feb 20 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
9 Feb 20 | 16 Feb 20 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
23 Feb 20 | 1 Mar 20 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
8 Mar 20 | 15 Mar 20 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||||
22 Mar 20 | 29 Mar 20 | $2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now |
Please note: These departures are subject to change in price, discount and hotel. Prices and discounts will be confirmed in May 2019.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $730 per person
Triple Room Discount: $20 per person
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $78 per person
Shared Rooming: Room Share is not available on this trip.
Airport Transfers: On arrival to Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers will operate at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the hotel. Return transfers on the last travel day will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 7 am and 9:30 am.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
11 meals: 7 hot buffet breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners with local wine.
The currency in Italy is the Euro (€). While it’s a good idea to bring some euros for when you first arrive in Italy, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate when you arrive in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in Italy. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
While Italy is most famous for pizza and pasta, few travelers are aware of just how varied the country’s culinary offering actually are. In fact, each of the 20 regions has its own distinctive cuisine. Traditionally, lunch (pranzo) is the most substantial meal of the day. A full meal consists of antipasto (starter), a primo piatto (pasta, rice or soup), a secondo piatto (meat or fish) with a side, or contorno (vegetable or salad), then frutta (fresh fruit). Finish with espresso and maybe a limoncello or grappa. Wine is usually served with the meal, accompanied by mineral water. Tap water is safe to drink, but not always tasty. We recommend you buy bottled mineral water. ‘Acqua non potabile’ means the water is not safe to drink.
Roman cuisine is deeply rooted in the past. Despite the city’s imperial history, the food in Rome and the surrounding Lazio region is anything but refined. Humble pasta dishes such as carbonara, amatriciana, aglio e olio (garlic and olive oil) and cacio e peppe (pecorino cheese and pepper) are local favorites served in trattorias around town. Other foods to try in Rome include pizza, a variety of fritti (fritters) made with everything from salted cod to zucchini flours, stewed oxtail, suppli (rice and Bolognese sauce croquettes) and sharp pecorino cheese. For dessert, try crostata di ricotta (Italian cheesecake) or zeppole (donuts).
In Italy, the weather changes very quickly, with temperatures varying from morning to night. We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
At bars and restaurants, tipping is less common or generous as in the U.S. When dining out, it’s appropriate, although not required, to leave an extra euro or two for your waiter.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Adult Price: € 61
Spend a light-hearted evening with us in Rome. Relax and enjoy typical Italian cuisine with drinks and music. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a drive and provide a glimpse into how Romans enjoy their city.
Adult Price: € 100
Join our expert on a tour of the excavations of Pompeii, the perfectly preserved Roman town which was engulfed by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in AD 79. You'll witness the devastating destruction it had at the time, as well as the opportunity to go back in time and get a glimpse of everyday Roman life, frozen for almost 2,000 years. Later, enjoy a panoramic tour of Naples, before returning to Rome, passing the abbey of Monte Cassino.