A long weekend in Rome is enough time to get acquainted with this vibrant city, though it has so many layers of history and architecture that it takes a lifetime to discover its endless riches. Because its artistic treasures alone can be quite overwhelming, Rome should be savored rather than devoured.
Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about the Eternal City is its historical continuity. Nearly 2,000 years after the Pantheon was built, it still has the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. In the first century, Rome was the biggest city in the world, with a population of between 2 and 3 million. It probably remained the largest city until the 19th century.
Rome is particularly beautiful during the ottobrate, from mid-September to the end of October. High summer can be hot and, in August especially, the Romans mostly head for the seaside.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
Upon arrival at the Rome airport, you will be welcomed to Italy by your local Abercrombie & Kent guide and transferred to the Hotel Hassler where you will be assisted with check-in procedures.
Dating from 1885, the Hotel Hassler is renowned among the classic hotels around the world as a house of unexcelled elegance. Located atop the Spanish Steps, the Hassler is positioned in the center of Rome, near the Villa Borghese and shopping of Via Condotti. Each of the 85 guest rooms and 15 suites are unique and elegantly furnished with antiques. Amenities include flatscreen televisions, air-conditioning and marble baths. The Rooftop Restaurant, on the sixth floor, offers diners a spectacular view overlooking some of Rome's greatest sights: the Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Dome, the Pantheon and the Colosseum.
Today, meet your guide and begin your tour of the city. Experience the historic atmosphere of the heart of Rome via the imposing Colosseum, which was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian. The stadium accommodated up to 50,000 spectators who would come to view gladiatorial battles lasting up to 100 days!
Next door, you'll find the Arc of Constantine, dating back to A.D. 315 and a forerunner to many other triumphal arches around the world. Equally if not more impressive are the excavations of the vast Roman Forum, where the remains of temples, streetscapes and palaces can now be visited up close.
Your guide will also explain the other emperor's forums of Trajan, Augustus and Caesar. Your half-day tour also includes the Palatine Hill, inhabited since the ninth century B.C. and the site of the founding of Rome, by the legendary Romulus.
The independent state of Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, was established by the Lateran Treaty in 1929. Commence today's guided driving tour by crossing the Tiber River into this awe-inspiring place.
Visit the Vatican Museums, which are estimated to contain 1,400 rooms, chapels and galleries. While the museums contain an extraordinarily rich collection of precious arts, maps, sculptures and antiquities, arguably the most breathtaking masterpiece is Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
At the center of the Vatican lies the vast Basilica of St. Peter. As you enter into the world's largest church, be sure to take a photo as you pass by the colorfully dressed Swiss Guard. The cathedral is a beautiful mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, formed by the hands of masters such as Michelangelo. The stunning interior is an elaborate and detailed display of marble, mosaic, gilt and bronze.
Keep in mind that the Vatican requires visitors to cover upper arms and legs to below the knee.
Today is at your leisure. Here are things to do as suggested by Editor-in-Chief Andrew Harper:
Enjoy some of the best coffee and people-watching in Rome at Sant'Eustachio il Caffe.
Just a few short blocks from the Piazza Navona, Trattoria Der Pallaro serves rustic comfort food that is the perfect antidote to sometimes-exhausting fixed five-course meals.
Fountains are one of the perpetual delights of Rome. My own favorite is the utterly charming Fontana delle Tartarughe in the Piazza Mattei, which depicts four young boys, each helping a turtle reach the pool above him.
A mandatory stop in Rome is Giolitti (Via Uffici del Vicario 40), steps from the Pantheon and the city’s oldest ice cream parlor. Try the fruit-flavored varieties, the essence of each season.
Meet your driver and Abercrombie & Kent guide and, in the comfort of your private luxury vehicle, transfer to the Rome airport, where you will be assisted with check-in for your departure.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
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