Jamie made Rome accessible, understandable, and interesting. Our guide was bright, well spoken, and highly knowledgeable and had arranged for local guides to lead us through specific portions of our tour who were similarly gifted with the abilities to enlighten and entertain us throughout the tour. Favorite "WOW" moment After a break for lunch, we'll tour ancient Rome's birthplace: the Forum. We were old and young, outgoing and quiet, from all different states, retired and working. Even throwing us a Halloween Dinner Party! ANOTHER fabulous RS experience--Thanks! We paid for a guided tour but got so much more. Studying the sculptures at the Borghese was so moving, I would have never approached the art this way without her guidance. It was fascinating to see how a 12 century church was built on a fourth century basilica. The local guides were also amazing and added an additional layer to enlighten and inspire us along the way. I was skeptical about whether we "needed" a tour group, as we've traveled elsewhere in Europe just fine on our own. Using public transportaion was very helpful in learning how to get around on our own for free time. The only negative was the extremely hot, which was obviously not something that could be controlled. Everything was wonderful. I have long admired these in books and on-line, but to see the delicacy and detail in person was amazing. It was hot, chaotic and intimidating. Our Rome tour serves up Europe's most intoxicating brew of dazzling art, earth-shaking history, and city life with style. I really cannot say that I would wish any part of the trip had gone differently. "I enjoyed the tour of the Borghese Gallery & gardens. Too often we were taken somewhere and told to get back on our own. Especially liked the owners of Hotel Lancelot. "The Roman Colosseum and the Baroque Art". The 7 - Day tour of Rome was outstanding. We do not travel a lot, but with the fabulous support from the hotel personnel and our guide Karin, we felt like experienced travelers. Rick Steves' Europe | All the best travel tips, travel inspiration, and European tour info from the team at Rick Steves' Europe. Rainer was knowledgeable, personable, and communicative. Lisa nailed it. I got to see much of Rome that otherwise may not have found. All of the people were great including the Italians we met while there. We'll arrive at multilayered San Clemente — a 12th-century church sitting atop a fourth-century basilica and an even older Roman temple. There were many wow moments and Nina plus her colleagues, allowed us to visit and enjoy an almost overwhelming number of them. The best part for me was walking through the different neighborhoods, because it is always the best way to get to know a new place. "San Clemente Basilica. Richard "Rick" Steves is an American author and television personality on European travel. She made you feel the plight of the slaves. Rainer was a very friendly, relaxed, informed leader of our group. Ben was a great facilatator and always was on top of what we were doing. "General Audience with Pope Francis on September 11, 2019. Stephanie did an outstanding job as our tour guide. One when my husband and I were exploring on our own. Our tour guide, Karin Kibby, was exceedingly gracious, assuring group cohesion and organization, creating a tour "family". We saw what I wanted to see and do! I have to admit that our group was marvelous. Provided a new dimension on the experience.". Our tour guide, Nina was awesome! "The best part was seeing Pope Francis as part of the Papal Audience inside the auditorium! "The fact that Karin took time out of her day to get our entire tour group tickets to the Papal Audience on September 11th. Walking into the Colosseum from the tunnel the gladiators used was awe inspiring. A wonderful time! Great introduction to local food. Exceeded my expectations. "My favorite moment from the tour was definitely seeing the first chapel we went to, where we went under ground (I forget the name but I loved it!) Free stuff including Rick Steves Rome guidebook, Italian phrase book, map, moneybelt and earplugs Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit Optional single supplements — this tour has a limited number of private rooms for solo travelers for an additional fee "My "wow" moment about he Eternal City was when I saw a Renaissance painting of Rome and the Colosseum was a ruin like it is now. The food tour day was great too[INVALID]having the strong local connection of guide Nina to the neighborhoods and the food tour guides.". I especially enjoyed the Sistine Chapel, our day trip to Ostia Antica, and seeing the Pope.". Actually 3 churches in one. Visit St. Peter's, the greatest church on earth, learn something about eternity by touring the huge Vatican Museums, ramble among the rabble and rubble through ancient Rome's Colosseum and Forum, savor the sumptuous Borghese Gallery, and take an early evening stroll with Rome's beautiful people. They made our experience so interesting! My Rick Steves tour in Rome was a highpoint of my life. We found the included itinerary to be outstanding in that each day was very different through the week in the same city. "The Borghese Gallery never ceases to amaze me.". "How do you choose just one?? The "Best of Rome" Tour was simply outstanding. No waiting in lines. First of all, Ben was a great tour guide, easy going, spending his free time taking us places, advice on restaurants, etc. Given that we were in Italy on this trip a total of 5 weeks (4 weeks of independent travel and 1 week of group tour in Rome), our time with the Rick Steves tour was a special joy! Also we will be looking for other Rick Steves' tours that meet our needs. There were multiple people in our group who have been on tours with your group, "Going to Vatican City was my favorite if I had to choose just one event. ‎Show Rick Steves Italy Audio Tours, Ep Rome: Colosseum - Feb 28, 2018 I am not Catholic but a very powerful moment. We especially appreciated the little surprises RS tours seem to add. I honestly enjoyed everything with the tour!!! Not only did Rick Steves guides lead us past the hours long lines throughout Rome. "So many... the St.Clement church, Borghese Museum, The Pantheon OMG I learned a lot. The local guides knew the details about the places we visited and the art, but they also shared their philosophies about the Romans and their approach to life in ancient times. The other was the visit to the Borghese Gallery where I fell in love with the intricate sculpture "Apollo and Daphne".". These guides were also great teachers thereby allowing us to see more and thus enjoy more making this trip truly a life changing experience for my family. :cathedrals) and do a little shopping. They were dry gracious and accommodating. IT was a first experience on a Rick Steves' tour. I especially loved our "foodie" tour in Trestevare. Answer 31 of 33: Sorry no dirt here -- what they don't tell you is how much fun you will have with the other members of the tour and how well run the whole thing is. For me, walking into the room at the Vatican and seeing the real full-sized School of Athens for real in context was like a dream I never even expected to come true. Her storytelling makes the art come alive and have meaning. It was a great tour, and our firs Rick Steves tour. This art moment — a sampling of how we share our love of art in our tours — is an excerpt from the full-color coffee-table book Europe’s Top 100 Masterpieces by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. I was in Rome in September, 2018 at the end of my "Best of Italy in 17 Days" tour last fall. Request a CD from them on their tour experience. Packed with indispensable tips and recommendations from America's expert on Europe, Rick Steves' Tour: Borghese Gallery, Rome is a tour … Nina was very professional and full of energy. We built so much of the things that we learned there into the rest of our experience. I AM SO GLAD THE ROME HAS KEPT SO MUCH HISTORY FOR US TO SEE, IT MAKES THE BIBLE COME ALIVE AS WELL AS OUR HISTORY LESSONS IN SCHOOL.". "Too many to choose from, but our tour of the Galleria Borghese was my highlight. The for tour helped us understand Rome, unfolding day by day with wonders of history from the ancient to the bustling modern-day city. Ed". And if you have feedback on your tour, please let me know at books@ricksteves.com. Then we'll tour and hear vivid tales of the larger-than-life Colosseum. dolce vita stroll through the heart of Rome, soaking up the city's evening ambience at the classy Piazza Navona and the remarkably preserved, 2,000-year-old Pantheon. I loved getting to know the history of Rome . Hotel Lancelot was a great hotel in the middle of old Rome & a wonderful base for visiting the sites. - 300 A.D.) to the development and evolution of the Catholic church. Seeing opera singers and a chamber orchestra perform. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Rome guidebook. Our Rome "family" was great. The combination of "must see" sites along with "off the beaten path" sites really made the difference. ", "I am very Art ignorant. "I loved the food tour of the Trastevere neighborhood. Rome is magnificent and overwhelming at the same time. I had such a great time in Rome. I've always wanted to go to Rome. Probably not. The art told us a story and Francesca taught us the language to understand what the art was saying.". They sounded like angels.". Just the right amount of guidance without being intrusive, condescending or smothering. NEVERTHELESS, I STILL LOVE PARIS AND FRANCE THE BEST- ABOVE & BEYOND ALL THE OTHER PLACES THAT I HAVE BEEN TO IN EUROPE- ABSOLUTELY NOTHING- NOTHING!- BEATS PARIS AND/OR FRANCE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I LIKE THE OTHER PLACES IN EUROPE THAT I HAVE BEEN TO IN EUROPE WITH RICK STEVE'S- NO MATTER WHAT!!! But, and this is a big but(t) (tee hee), he fails to give all the information that one needs for a first trip to Rome. The primary and local tour guides were professional, personable and generous in their behavior. My husband and I were visiting Italy for the first time and chose Rick Steves. Perfect balance of group time and personal time. They did so expertly. After seeing everything provided the tour was an excellent value. He is the host of a public television series, and a public radio travel show, and … I will definitely plan to use Rick Steve's tours again. Ben was so thoughful he gave me birthday card, a Roma calendar, and taught the group to sign happy birthday to me in Italian. "From a learning/understanding/experience basis, our first day tour of the Basilica of St Clement with Elaria was a "wow" moment, introducing me to the many layers of Roman history. The 7 day tour of Rome gave me in depth experience including Ancient Rome, history, art and food. The food tour was a great experience. "It was an outstanding opportunity to visit Vatican City earlier in the day that was set up for the Vatican museums tours. It was well organized, with a good balance between tour and free time. Second would have to be the Colosseum which is such an engineering marvel. We were in Eastern Europe two years ago and that was all the tour guides could talk about. It was my first trip to Europe and it was more enjoyable than I ever expected. Francesca made you feel what it would have been like to attend a session as a spectator or participant. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. I feel that on the days you go to places that require a purchased ticket(Coliseum and the Vatican) those need more time to explore on your own or more time given to explore with tour guide. My family and I had an AMAZING time in Rome with our FANTASTIC guides, Sarah and Francesca! Visits to the "newer" sites like the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and all the other churches and art museums were also spectacular. It set the perfect framework for understanding everything else we would see throughout the week". The experience was incredible! Bringing in Paolo and Francesca to tour the Forum and Colloseum along with the churches and the Borghese Museum was a real plus! I won't be returning to Rome again, and value my previous two trips there as there were far fewer tourists. I thought there would be more repeaters. This tour of Rome with Rick Steves was the FIRST time we had ever taken a group tour of any kind. Very organized. ", My wife and I enjoyed our tour of Rome and our accommodations at the Hotel Lancelot. I really loved the Ancient Rome Day of the tour.". Every day was a 'wow moment". "Walking through the coliseum through the gladiator gate and walking through the forum even in the rain. With Rick's tours you carry your own bag and must travel light. Enriching experiences with great people. It was a fantastic tour that provided my wife and I with a great introduction to Rome and Italian culture! Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements and transfers are completely up to you. "I had 2 wow moments - one was in the Borgheshe Gallery - being present when the "David with head of Goliath" by Caravaggio was rehung and the other was walking into the St. Maria Majorie Church.". Loved the intimate/personal 20 people group. "Basilica San Clement – literally going back in time as we descended the steps. Ben was a terrific tour guide. Enjoyed all the sites and info we received. I hope we have as wonderful a trip as you did. Going on this tour changed our approach on how to do travel. We had time to rest and go out each night after the adventures on the tour. Although I enjoyed all the local guides, I especially appreciated Francesca's tour of the Borghese Gallery and Paulo's tour of the Colosseum. The tour was very well managed and organized without any major or inconvenience issues. The Hotel was very kind in helping us to have a good stay. San Clemente was such a surprise, such a gem. Good location for hotel, close to transportation and important sites. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate through the city on your own. I was on the Metro when I looked about and realized: I am traveling about in a strange city in a foreign country and didn't speak the language, but I was totally at ease with the situation. I am planning my first trip to Rome via Go Ahead tours. Great command of Italy's history and has a great sense of humor. Stephanie was excellent and the local guides were brilliang, especially Francesca. Tour Questions? As you peel through its fascinating and jumbled layers, you'll find the marble ruins of ancient times, tangled streets of the medieval world, early Christian churches, grand Renaissance buildings and statues, Baroque fountains and facades, 21st-century traffic, and nearly three million people. Well informed local guides. Since I had gotten sick, the timing of events worked well with returning to our room to nap. I'm not an extrovert and was afraid I might have to interact too much with people; There is a lot of walking which will limit some people. Wife - The fountains". They were actually able to tie together 2000 years of Roman history including all of the sites in and around Rome in a way that was literally life changing for my family.". It was liberating. "My son was amazed by the vastness of the Vatican,our guide was passionate & clearly loved sharing her knowledge of the intricacies of that site. I would most certainly recommend a tour!! Even the weather cooperated. Everything about this trip was amazing. Top level: 12 century Byzantine church. After that tour, Ben took those of us who were interested for a walk through the gardens and to a place that overlooked the city. Pre-Tour Rome This was a different tour as we stayed in one place in a city rather than move from town to town. He was lighthearted, knowledgeable, organized, and fun. On the way, we'll continue down the ancient "Queen of Roads," the Appian Way, stopping to tour the eerie Catacombs of San Sebastiano. Especially surprising was to find ourselves in the Sistine Chapel with just a few other visitors!". Cab from airport charged extra for luggage. "I believe seeing the underground formations under San Clemente Church and the Pope at the Vatican were awesome. We loved the Hotel Lancelot and the location could not have been better chosen. I was very hesitant as this was a 30th anniversary trip and my wife had never been on a tour nor gone to Rome. "The Borghese Galleria and our guide Franchesca. Unforgettable.". ", This was my first trip to Europe. The local guides were nicely detailed in their presentations and clearly passionate about their subject matter. And, with a group so many thoughts to share and reflect with!!!!! WOW!!! Strolling through the Forum with Francesca activating our imaginations to picture life in ancient Rome. I am very much looking forward to my next European trip with Rick Steve's Tour and hope to return to Rome as well. As with our two previous RS tours the last two years, I learned and experienced more that I expected. This is my second Rick Steves tour and by far it's the best one. Stacey and Anna were wonderful tour guides and the sights shared with the group were amazing. Although I am glad I saw the Colloseum and the Vatican I do not enjoy being herded around like a bunch of cattle, so both of those tours were places I was gad to get overwith. I expected and more -- lush with art, earth-shaking history, architecture, culture Religion! Was my 2ed RS tour and it exceeded my expectations to be in Rome to story... Franchesca, was also very dialed into the tour is the first time to explore our... Too often we were in Eastern Europe two years ago and that is just what I was front... 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