Rome Explorer (Winter Season)
9 Days from $2,085 per person
Enjoy a taste of la dolce vita and explore the larger-than-life verve of an ancient city that has influenced the world's heritage, art, culture and religion. Sit on the Spanish Steps with a gelato, admire Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling at the Sistine Chapel and enjoy dinner in the midst of three centuries of art, history and antiquities at the Vatican Museums.
This page shows Winter Season departures and itinerary; click here to see the main season version of this tour!
Overview
Enjoy a taste of la dolce vita and explore the larger-than-life verve of an ancient city that has influenced the world's heritage, art, culture and religion. Sit on the Spanish Steps with a gelato, admire Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling at the Sistine Chapel and enjoy dinner in the midst of three centuries of art, history and antiquities at the Vatican Museums.
This page shows Winter Season departures and itinerary; click here to see the main season version of this tour!
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Day 1: USA - Europe
Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included). -
Day 2: Arrive Rome (7 Nights)
Welcome to Rome, capital of Italy. On arrival to Rome Fiumicino Airport transfers will operate at 9.30am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the hotel. Relax after check-in at your centrally located hotel, or take a leisurely stroll through the city's ancient streets. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers this evening for a traditional pizzeria Welcome Reception.
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Day 3: Rome City Highlights Walking tour and Catacombs Visit
After a leisurely start enjoy a walking tour with a Local Expert through some of the oldest streets in Rome. Visit the famous Spanish Steps, immortalized in many Italian movies, and the Trevi Fountain where you will stop to toss a coin over your shoulder and make a wish to return to Rome. Visit inside the breathtaking Pantheon and marvel at the most preserved and influential building of ancient Rome. See some of the impressive squares and admire the many monuments including Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers. Enjoy free time in Piazza Navona for lunch and a gelato. This afternoon leave the city center and visit the ancient catacombs with a Local Expert for a fascinating insight into Christian history in the city.
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Day 4: Rome Market Visit – Cooking Experience and Ancient Rome Sightseeing
Today experience life like a local in this bustling and vibrant capital city. Visit a local food market for a Cultural Insight with your insider host and select delicious local ingredients. Take a walk through the Jewish quarter and try focaccias and other delicious specialties in the neighborhood bakeries. Arrive at Fooxia for a cooking course with a professional chef and learn how to make proper Italian pasta. Enjoy a delicious lunch with typical Italian hospitality. Later explore ancient Rome with a Local Expert. Visit the impressive Colosseum and see the Circus Maximus where chariot races were once held.
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Day 5: Rome at Leisure and Tivoli Villa d'Este Gardens Visit
Enjoy a morning at leisure. Later travel to Tivoli for a guided visit with a Local Expert of the UNESCO World Heritage Italian gardens of Villa d'Este. The architectural elements and water features here had an enormous influence on European landscape design.
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Day 6: Rome – Vatican and Sistine Chapel Visit
Your included sightseeing tour with a Local Expert begins at the Vatican Museums. Trafalgar has priority early access as an official Partner of the Vatican Museums allowing entry before other Tour Operators and the general public. Admire Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel when it is less crowded and more peaceful. Later visit St. Peter's Basilica to see the famous Pietà. Tonight enjoy a Regional Meal at a local restaurant.
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Day 7: Rome At Leisure or Optional Experience to Pompeii
A completely free day to explore the city. Your Travel Director will give you some ideas and suggestions on how to spend your day. Alternatively you may wish to take an Optional Experience to visit the renowned excavations at Pompeii.
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Day 8: Rome At Leisure and Roman Farewell Dinner
Your last day in the city is completely yours to explore further or do last minute shopping for souvenirs. Your Travel Director will be able to suggest activities such as museums, shopping or sightseeing in the city. In the early evening meet for a unique Cultural Insight. Enjoy a Roman Farewell Dinner with a local family in their Isola Tiberina apartment. This apartment formerly belonged to film director Michelangelo Antonioni, amongst other famous inhabitants. Today it is the home of Fabio and either he or other members of his family will host you for a delicious meal with your fellow travel companions.
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Day 9: Depart Rome
After breakfast, say farewell to Rome and your newfound friends as you prepare to return home after a memorable week in one of the world's greatest cities. Return transfers will arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 7am and 9.30am. Conditions apply.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
- Festive Celebrations
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
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| 3 Nov 18 | 11 Nov 18 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 17 Nov 18 | 25 Nov 18 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 1 Dec 18 | 9 Dec 18 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 15 Dec 18 | 23 Dec 18 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Festive Celebrations
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22 Dec 18 | 30 Dec 18 | $2,275$2,161pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
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Festive Celebrations
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29 Dec 18 | 6 Jan 19 | $2,350$2,233pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 12 Jan 19 | 20 Jan 19 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 26 Jan 19 | 3 Feb 19 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 9 Feb 19 | 17 Feb 19 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 23 Feb 19 | 3 Mar 19 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 9 Mar 19 | 17 Mar 19 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 23 Mar 19 | 31 Mar 19 | $2,195$2,085pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now |
- Festive Celebrations: Christmas and/or New Year Celebrations have been arranged for these departures.
These departures are subject to price, hotel and discount change. Prices and discounts will be confirmed in May 2018. These departures do not qualify for Airfare Savings or Early Pay Discount.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $71 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 7:00 am and 9:30 am.
Cruise Connection: This trip starts and ends in a popular cruise port, so you can combine a cruise with a more in-depth guided vacation in Europe.
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.
Frequent Travelers: Save an additional 5% off the price of the vacation.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Personal Flight Options
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Most Meals
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Hotel Tips
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
Meal Summary
11 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners.
Included Highlights
Cultural Insight
- Enjoy a private guided tour and exclusive dinner in the midst of three centuries of art, history and antiquities at the Vatican's Missionary Ethnological Museum. Learn how to make traditional Italian pasta with a professional Italian chef who will take you through a food market to buy local ingredients. Join a local family for dinner in their apartment which was once the home of acclaimed Italian film director, Michelangelo Antonioni
Local Expert
- For included sightseeing in Rome, the Vatican Museums and Tivoli
Hidden Treasure
- Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure
Sightseeing Highlights
- City tour in Rome
- Visit the Roman Catacombs, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, Tivoli Gardens at Villa d'Este
- View the Spanish Steps, Bernini's Fountain of Four Rivers, the ancient sites of Rome including Circus Maximus
Optional Add-Ons
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.
Rome
Roman Evening with Dinner
Adult Price: € 61
Spend a light-hearted evening with us in Rome. Relax and enjoy typical Italian cuisine with drinks and music. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a drive and provide a glimpse into how Romans enjoy their city.
Discover Pompeii And Naples
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.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
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.
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Cuisine
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).
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Packing
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.
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Tipping
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.
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Baggage
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.
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Health and Fitness
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.
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Insurance
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.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
