Rome, the dream destination of holidaying and pilgrim travellers since the early Middle Ages, has not been on the Travellers’ Club itinerary for a number of years. Take time to make or renew our acquaintance, for this city is surely one of the world’s two or three greatest.
This tour is intended for all who would like to deepen our understanding of its 2,700 years of history. Whilst we shall, in an all too brief stay, not omit the unmissable, we shall explore some lesser noticed but important themes: the architecture of Piazza Navona so familiar to eighteenth century British dandies; the often overlooked Vatican gardens, the overbrimming wealth of Palazzo Doria Pamphili; the grandeur of the city’s ceremonial entrance at Piazza del Popolo, with its Caravaggio’s in the church to one side; that often missed archeological three decker Basilica of San Clemente with its magnificent mosaics; the sheer freshness of the green spaces often aglow with flower in Spring; the monuments to faith and wealth that are the other basilicas. All this amidst smart cafes and likeable small restaurants.
We will explore these different facets of the city on foot (for short distances) and using the public transport system of metro (a station is very close to our hotel) and bus. Anthony will offer short introductory talks in the early evening as well as guided visits to the sites.

Provisional Programme

Saturday 21st April: arrival, supper in our hotel.
Sunday 22nd April: am (early start) Basilica di San Pietro. Afternoon in the Piazza Navona and Pantheon the domed temple of the first century AD. (Good area for restaurants).
Monday 23rd April. The Vatican (prebooked entry); Musei Vaticani: tickets purchased for Museums, Gallery Sistine Chapel and garden tour. It will be important to concentrate on only a few of these immense galleries. Stamina needed! a stroll along the Tiber to Trastevere ( restaurant quarter).
Tuesday 24th April Monuments of early Christian Rome: 09.30 am the Forum and the Palatine Hill (tickets purchased) with their vast echoes of ancient history.
Afternoon: the ruins of Domus Aurea, Nero’s festival palace, and San Clemente where the
crypts go back to the third century. Supper in Casa Valdese.
Wednesday 25th April Outings by public transport: Ostia Antica (the “complete” ruins of a town) or the Baths of Caracalla and Catacombs (some trudging required); early evening San Giovanni Laterano, Rome’s second basilica and its official cathedral; time for shopping and strolling in Via del Corso and Piazza del Popolo
Thursday 26th April A day of great art: the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore; Galleria Doria Pamphilii (still a private mansion); or Galleria Borghese. Supper back at our hotel.
Friday 27th April Return to the airport,
or for those joining our tour to Naples [27 April – 3 May] transfer by high speed train to Naples