Civitavecchia Shore Excursion: Best of Rome Private Tour

Our Best of Rome shore excursion is a private tour with a professional English-speaking driver featuring pick-up and drop-off right at the ship. The itinerary covers the major highlights of Rome but is completely customizable. Skip-the-line tickets and local guides are NOT INCLUDED but we can arrange them for you upon request (dependent on availability). If you want to get the most out of your touring day when you dock in Civitavecchia, this tour gives you not only the most efficient use of your time but also convenience, comfort, and engaging commentaries by our fun and friendly drivers.

The Pantheon is now a Catholic church, but in Ancient Rome it was a temple to all the gods (which is basically what "pantheon" means in Greek). The Pantheon is one of the iconic landmarks in Rome, famous for its dome and massive columns at the entryway that are a testament to the incredible engineering savvy of the Romans. Some famous people are entombed in the Pantheon but the real scene-stealer in this monument is the giant oculus in the center of the dome. Viewing the Pantheon from the exterior is free. As of July 2023, a ticket is required to visit the interior. The ticket costs 5 Euro. If you'd like to go inside the Pantheon, please request that we make a reservation for you.

Trevi is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. It has appeared in several notable films, but without a doubt its most famous role was in Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita", where Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni go wading fully clothed. Don't forget to throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain to ensure your return to Rome and make a small contribution to feed Rome's hungry (a food bank is funded with the coins collected every night).

The gigantic white monument that is the centerpiece of Piazza Venezia was built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. Constructed of mounds of white marble, it houses a museum dedicated to Italy's reunification and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, making it a place of commemoration for all of Italy's fallen soldiers during WWI.

The Colosseum is Rome's poster boy and one of the most fascinating monuments in The Eternal City. Famous for the battles between Gladiators and exotic beasts, the arena could hold 50.000 spectators and is a remarkable feat of engineering and construction. Tickets to the Colosseum are NOT INCLUDED. We can book them for you upon request.

On the plaza just outside the Colosseum, you'll find the Arch of Constantine, one of several triumphal arches remaining from Ancient Roman times. This one is dedicated to the Emperor Constantine The Great and dates back to the 4th Century.

Built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian (1st Century CE), PIazza Navona still recalls its ancient roots, although the predominant style of decoration in the piazza today is Baroque. The Four Rivers Fountain is the most impressive of the three fountains in the square, a beautiful composition of burly figures representing the four continents through which papal authority had spread at the time of its construction in the 17th Century: Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Besides being a common meet-up point for Rome's citizens, the spectacular, sweeping staircase that leads upwards from PIazza di Spagna (so named for the Spanish consulate nearby), is one of Rome's most popular tourist spots. At one time, the Spanish Steps was a grand place to sit and hang out but that all came to an end in 2019, when the city enacted a law that prohibits sitting on the stairs. The name "Spanish Steps" was probably given by the English poet John Keats, who lived briefly in a house at the bottom of the staircase. In Italian, it is simply called "La Scalinata" (which just means "the staircase").

Climb the graceful, sloping steps of the Capitoline hill (designed by Michelangelo) and enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Roman Forum from the back side of the hill. Here you'll have a clear view of many of the structures inside the Roman Forum, including the Rostrum where Mark Anthony made his impassioned speech over the body of Julius Cesar. The handsome piazza at the top of the hill, also designed by Michelangelo, features a bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius, last of The Five Good Emperors who ruled Rome with competence and outstanding humanity.

Circus Maximus was a chariot-racing stadium and immense entertainment venue in Ancient Rome ("circus" meaning "ring" in Latin and not having anything to do with a traveling pack of performing animals and clowns). Now an empty field, the elliptical shape and central spine of the ancient track are still evident.

The House of Augustus is a palatial complex on the Palatine Hill. In Ancient Rome, it was the primary residence of the emperor, and overlooked Circus Maximus.

Teatro Marcello is one of the more unusual architectural sites in Rome. In ancient times, the arena was used as an open-air theatre. During the Renaissance, dwellings were built on top of it. This might sound like a strange place to put condos, but today these homes represent some of Rome's most expensive real estate.

The Janiculum Hill is one of the best locations in Rome for a panoramic view of the city.

Tiburina is a tiny island in the Tiber River. In ancient times, a temple stood on the island. A hospital is now the most defining element on Tiburina, whose association with healing goes back centuries.

The Roman Forum was the heart and soul of Ancient Rome. It was a meeting place and a marketplace, as well as the location of the courts, the senate building, and various temples. Today it is a fascinating collection of ruins that can be appreciated in a panoramic drive-by or up close with a private guide (we can arrange for you; additional expense)

At St. Peter's Square, the circular piazza lined with Bernini's splendid colonnades leads you to Christendom's largest church with its handsome dome designed by Michelangelo.