Ancient Italy

Meet your Tour Director and check into hotel.

Enjoy a walking tour of ancient Rome. Listen for the roar of the ancient crowds at the Colosseum, see the Arch of Constantine, and visit the Roman Forum and Palazzo Massimo.

Tour St. Peter’s Basilica with a licensed local guide and whisper headset so you don't miss a word. Outside the church, four rows of columns radiate out like welcoming arms; inside, the church seems enormous enough to embrace the entire world. The dome, partially designed by Michelangelo, rises 452 feet above the ground. Michelangelo’s mark is everywhere here, from the costumes worn by the Swiss Guards to his exquisite “Pietà” sculpture (the only sculpture he ever signed) to the amazing frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Because he considered himself a sculptor and not a painter, Michelangelo hated working on these paintings, now considered masterpieces.

Marvel at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and explore the ways in which the Church has used art as a tool of evangelization.

Recently restored and reconceived for public viewing, the Ara Pacis—“Altar of Peace”—is a striking representation of Roman art and architecture. More than 2,000 years old, the altar is universally recognized as a masterpiece. Featuring an array of life-sized sculptures and significant iconography, the Ara Pacis is today viewed in a unique museum space, specially designed to contrast light and shade, in the midst of sheer acoustic isolation. One can’t help but appreciate the juxtaposition of the modern influenced museum, and the ancient works of Augustan sculpture held within it.

Visit the Pantheon, Rome's best-preserved monument. The Pantheon is a masterpiece of architecture with its huge hemispherical dome. It also contains the tombs of the kings of Italy and that of the artist, Raphael.

Visit the enormous church of St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the original tomb of the saint, and then descend into the early Christian catacombs, dating from the first to fourth centuries. Thousands of Christians, including Saints Peter and Paul and several popes, were entombed here at one time. There are still signs of early Christianity, including frescoes of fish and doves and inscriptions on the tombs themselves. Overhead runs the Appian Way, the world’s first real highway, which stretched southeast over 350 miles from Rome.

Experience a day in the life of a gladiator in ancient Rome!

LEAP Activity | Caesar’s Gladiators

Discover the ancient secrets of the Roman gladiator games and master the basics of hand-to-hand combat at gladiator school.

Explore the main seaport of ancient Rome to see examples of amazingly preserved buildings and impressive Roman frescoes.

The great emperor Hadrian built this enormous villa just outside Tivoli as an escape from Rome, where he spent as little time as possible during his reign. The complex was the epitome of ancient luxury, with baths, sculpture gardens, theaters, dining halls, pavilions, and private suites. The highlight is the reflecting pool, where images of the surrounding columns and statues shimmer in the water.

Discover this 16-century palace and garden in Tivoli, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Journey to Naples with stop in Cumae, home to the first ancient Greek colony on the mainland of Italy.

Explore ancient Roman remains and artifacts from Naples and surrounding areas, including Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Perched on the rocky cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is a beautiful resort town with stunning views of the sea. From here, the island of Capri is less than an hour away by boat. Always a favorite destination of the international jet-set, Capri still offers glittering beaches and old-world glamour.

Cross the Bay of Naples to the island of Capri, summer home of the Roman Emperor Tiberius.

Enjoy breathtaking views from the botanical gardens.

Pompeii is a vast archaeological site located in southern Italy’s Campania region. Once a thriving and sophisticated Roman city, Pompeii was buried in meters of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Near the coast of the Bay of Naples, the well-preserved site features excavated ruins that visitors can freely explore.

Prepare traditional Neapolitan foods with direction from local chefs.

LEAP Activity | Cucina Napoletana

Prepare traditional Neapolitan foods with direction from local chefs. Feast on your delicious creation with your group.

Sitting in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, the ancient town of Herculaneum was destroyed when the deadly volcano erupted in 79 A.D. Hidden under an airtight crust for over 1,700 years, buildings and skeletons were kept intact and have now been discovered and excavated. Explore the ruins and learn about that dreadful day in 79 A.D. when the fates of the town and its people were sealed.

See the infamous volcano whose eruptions wiped out the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabiae, and more.

Explore one of Pompeii’s suburban neighborhoods that was hit particularly hard by Mt. Vesuvius’s eruption in 79 A.D.

Make your way back to this historic Italian city center.

Take a walk past Rome's most beautiful and unusual Baroque fountains. At the foot of the Spanish Steps, elegant cafes surround the central fountain. The water pressure here was so low that the artist had to sink the fountain into the ground to get any water going through it, so he went ahead and designed the fountain to look like a sinking ship. There's no shortage of water pressure at the nearby Trevi Fountain, a Baroque extravagance designed by master sculptor Bernini. Then, on to Piazza Navona, built on the foundations of Domitian's Circus. This magnificent square was designed by Borromini in 17th century and is highlighted by one of Rome's most spectacular fountains, the Four Rivers designed by Bernini. The square is often filled with local artists. The surrounding neighborhood is also one of the best places in Rome to get a tasty tartufo or gelato ice cream.

Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day.

Extend your stay | Extra days in Rome

Extend your visit to Italy by adding extra days to explore the Eternal City. Travel to Rome to explore and learn about the city’s rich history.