Rome
A mix of Roman ruins, inspiring art and vibrant street life, Italy’s hot-blooded capital is one of the world’s most romantic and charismatic cities.
Rome is an exhilarating 2000 years old: ancient icons such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon recall the city’s golden age as Caput Mundi or Capital of the World.
It is also the home of the Catholic Church, with St. Peter’s Basilica towering over the Vatican. Elsewhere, vibrant piazzas, hundreds of churches and fountains add to the city’s captivating streets.
Sample 4 Day / 3 Night Itinerary
Day 1
- Flight from Ireland to Rome (flight information below).
- Tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, with highlights such as the Gallery of the Maps, the Gallery of the Tapestries, and the Sistine Chapel.
- Guided walking tour from Vatican City to Castel Sant’Angelo over the bridge to Piazza Navona, with a stop at the Pantheon. Continue on to the Jewish Quarter and finish at Circus Maximus.
- Return to accommodation and overnight.
Day 2
- The Gladiator’s Walking tour which includes a guided tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
- La Dolce Vita walking tour which includes stops at the Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese, and the Pincio terrace which overlooks the Piazza del Popolo.
- Free time before returning to accommodation and overnight.
Day 3
- There’s no school tour without a trip to a theme park! Spend the day at Magic Land theme park.
- Within the park, there’s an outlet with 180 brand stores and restaurants.
- Return to accommodation and overnight.
Day 4
- Tour of Ancient Ostia (Ostia Antica), an archaeological park, a huge site that offers ancient thrills to its rival Pompeii. Ostia ranks among the best preserved Roman ruins in the world.
- Coach transfer back to the airport. Return to Ireland.
Build your Itinerary - Cornerstones
Cornerstones are the attractions that should form the core of any itinerary – the “do not miss” items!
For us there are 4 such cornerstones to a Rome itinerary:
St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican City, students can get a sense of the city while visiting the must see highlights Rome has to offer.
The Gladiator’s Walking tour will allow the students to see the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Ostia Antica, which offers more ancient Roman thrills than its rival; Pompeii.
Magic Land Theme Park, which the students can spend a thriller of a day enjoying the highs and lows of this theme park.
Itinerary - Day Trips
Ancient Ostia: This archaeological site ranks among the best preserved Roman ruins in the world!
Day trip to Civita Bagnoregio: The Dying Town perched on a pinnacle in a grand canyon. Stopover in the ancient town of Orvieto and St. Patrick’s Well, a 54-metre spiral staircase inspired by medieval legends in Ireland
Day trip to Viterbo: The city of Popes, where traces of the Etruscan civilization merge with Mediaeval architecture and spa waters. Explore the sacred gardens of Bomarzo, known as the Park of Monsters with its bizarre and fascinating sculptures.
Day trip to Cerveteri and Tarquinia: Visit the Necropolis of lost Etruscan cities, now UNESCO World Heritage sites, a unique window into the lives and beliefs of the Etruscan civilization, one of ancient Italy’s most fascinating and enigmatic cultures.
Day trip to Tivoli: UNESCO World Heritage sites including Hadrian’s Villa and Villa Gregoriana, a breathtaking park known for its stunning landscapes and dramatic waterfalls, offering visitors a unique blend of nature and culture.
Day trip to Castel Gandolfo: The summer residence retreat for the Pope, a holy town in the picturesque setting of the Roman hills with stunning views over the volcano-shaped lake. Enjoy a picnic by the lake and the scenic beauty of the lush countryside. Continue to the small town of Nemi, perched high above another nearby lake, the centre of a cult to the goddess Diana in ancient times, famous for its wild strawberries with fresh cream.
Magic Land Theme Park: Spend a day at this theme park where fun and thrills are guaranteed!
Itinerary Fillers and Evening Activities
Filling time and gaps in an itinerary won’t be a problem in Rome – trying to cut out attractions will be the challenge!
Tour of the Stadio Olimpico: Visit this iconic sports venue within the Foro Italico complex, home of local football clubs Roma and Lazio, and Italy’s Rugby team. Here are some more:
- The Leonardo Da Vinci Experience: An educational, interactive tour on the genius of Da Vinci’s inventions. Students can build and experiment on multimedia installations.
- Catacomb of Callixtus: One of the Catacombs on the Appian Way, most notable underground tunnels containing the Crypt of the Popes . Around half a million Christians were buried here, among them martyrs and 16 popes in the 3rd century AD.
- The Welcome to Rome Experience: Students learn about ancient Rome in a multi sensory experience and captivating cinematic show to drive you through the Eternal City.
Accommodation Options
- Our preferred accommodation is the Rome Capitol Holiday Resort in Ostia Antica: an alternative lodging located in a natural reserve near the coastline, 30 minutes from Rome, with free access to on-site facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, coffee bars, sports grounds, and swimming pools (seasonal). With plenty of room for adventure!
- We offer the possibility of staying in 2/3-star hotels, subject to price change and availability.
- Breakfast and dinners are provided, unless specified in the itinerary.
Connections from Ireland
Flight routes change all the time, but currently flight routes include:
- 2xDaily flights from Dublin to Rome with Aer Lingus.
- 2xDaily flights from Dublin to rome with Ryanair.
- 2xWeekly flights from Cork to Rome with Ryanair.
