Morning Magic Tour (4 hours) 9:30am - 1:30pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

The Coliseum, The Roman Forum, The Campidoglio, Teatro Marcello, Piazza Mattei, the Pantheon

The Coliseum is one of the world’s most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering.

The Foro Romano, or Roman Forum, was the focal point of the city for early Romans. It was the center for commercial, political, and civil activities and contained markets, prisons, statues, entertainment areas, temples and monuments built by various emperors. Perhaps more than any other Roman ruin, the Forum with its great temples and arches gives us a glimpse into both the architectural and political power of Rome during the time of the emperors and is the perfect outdoor classroom to make exciting and memorable photographs of one of the world's greatest historic sites.

The Campidoglio is a remarkable square and an urban masterpiece designed by Michelangelo. At the center of the square stands the great bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

Teatro Marcello was the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. Caesar wanted to build a theater to rival the one built by Pompey, whom he had just defeated and killed in the struggle for the control of Rome. Part of the site that he chose had been used at least since 179 BC for dramatic productions in front of a temple of Apollo.

When Caesar was killed in 44 BC, all work on his theater complex stopped, and the site remained in limbo until 22 BC. By then Augustus was seven years into his long rule, and his plan to transform Rome from a city of brick to a city of marble was already under way. Caesar's theater was a likely project, but Augustus did not want to repeat Caesar's mistake. Using private funds, he expanded the site, making sure that those injured by Caesar's high-handed expropriations 22 years earlier were also compensated. Construction began in 22 BC and by 17 BC, although incomplete, the theater was used for some of the theatrical productions that were part of that year's Ludi Saeculares (secular games). The theater was formally dedicated in 13 BC in memory of Marcellus, the son of Augustus' sister Octavia.

Built mainly of tufa, cement, and opus reticulatum brickwork, the Theatrum Marcelli was completely sheathed in white travertine. True to Caesar's original plan, it was bigger and more elaborate that Pompey's theater. It seated about 12,000 spectators (maybe 14,000 with standees) which was twenty percent more than would fit into Pompey's theater.
 

Tortoise Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) was built by Taddeo Landini and Giacomo della Porta, and located in Piazza Mattei. It is one of the most unique and less-known fountains in all of Rome.  Recently restored to its original state, this is one of those "off the beaten path" places that make Rome so interesting.

The Pantheon was begun in 27 BC by the statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. It was completely rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian sometime between AD 118 and 128. It is remarkable for its size, its construction, and its design. The dome was the largest built until modern times, measuring about 142 feet (43 m) in diameter, and rising to a height of 71 feet (22 m) above its base. It was dedicated in AD 609 as the Church of the Santa Maria Rotonda, or ad Martyrs, which it remains today. The tomb of Raphael is found inside.

Don't forget to ask Tony to suggest where to have lunch.  He knows many excellent places to dine or just have a glass of wine.  His favorite restaurant is Paolo’s Antica Taverna, one of Rome’s best trattorias, located just 5 minutes walk from the Pantheon. Paolo’s chefs are world-class and will serve you authentic Italian dishes in a quaint and vibrant atmosphere.

top of the page

Prices include tour fee, instruction, and assistance by our travel expert in securing accommodations. Hotel accommodations, tips/gratuities, drinks/food, Air/train tickets to/from Rome, are not included in the price. We reserve the right to make changes in the itinerary if circumstances beyond our control occur.