City: Rome
Duration: 3.5 hours
Start Time: Times vary
This ancient Rome tour unlocks the gates of Caesar's Palace - the grand villa of Caesar Augustus - to give you a VIP experience of one of Rome's greatest ruins. Following an expert guide through closed doors, you'll see ancient living spaces and gape at 2,000 year old frescoes as you learn the story of Augustus; from his rivalry with Mark Antony and Cleopatra to his ruthless pursuit of power, and even his tender relationship with his wife, Livia (who may or may not have poisoned him).
N.B.: The Casa di Augusto is closed on Saturdays. If you book a tour on a Saturday you will visit the Case Romane del Celio, the 3rd-century century villa of a wealthy patrician family who had the walls frescoed by some of the finest artists of the day. These lavish decorations have survived with astounding clarity and color, which means you can still see the decorative figures, tricks of perspective, ceiling moldings and floor tiles. The Casa di Augusto is also subject to unforeseen ticket shortages. If we do not get tickets to the house on the day of your trip, we will visit the Casa di Livia next door.
Use pre-reserved Colosseum tickets to skip the long entrance lines and explore the first and second tiers of this iconic structure with your guide. You’ll learn what a day at the games was like, from animal hunts and “halftime” executions to gladiatorial combat, and even a bit of betting.
Next, enjoy a full Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tour where you'll learn about day-to-day life in Ancient Rome as you walk on the very same paving stones that men like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony used when this very spot was the center of Western Civilization. Although the ruins can be hard to decipher, your guide on this Ancient Rome tour will bring the old stones to life with thrilling stories and anecdotes.
The sights of Ancient Rome shouldn’t be considered in isolation, but rather as individual stitches in the rich tapestry of Rome’s history. With groups of 22 people or fewer, you'll have fantastic access to your guide as they immerse you in the wonders of the Eternal City.