This full-day tour is perfect if you want to see the Vatican and the highlights in the center of Rome and save on the cost of booking the two tours separately! We will begin by visiting the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, painted by the genius of the Renaissance: Michelangelo. With direct access from the chapel, we'll visit St. Peter's Basilica, the biggest church in the world, and enjoy the great view of St. Peter's Square.
After a break for lunch, we'll move to the center of Rome, to admire the Spanish Steps (is it your dream to climb the steps?), the Trevi Fountain (do you want to throw a coin into the fountain?), and the huge column of Marcus Aurelius (almost 100 feet high) and the magnificent ruins of the Temple of Hadrian. Our day together will come to an end at the Pantheon, with the largest concrete dome in the world, and in Piazza Navona, the baroque heart of Rome.
The museums of the Vatican are by far the best place to experience Renaissance art. A collection that has taken over five centuries to build, it houses 54 galleries, the last being the Sistine Chapel, the roof of which has been designed by Michelangelo. To get here, one must go through the previous 53 galleries, which, given the objects of beauty placed within them, is something nobody would object to.
This work of Renaissance architecture is the largest church in the world. The burial site of St. Peter, this church is much revered in Christendom. Even otherwise, the church is an architectural marvel whose design has had contributions from immortalized artists like Bernini, Bramante, Michelangelo and Maderno.
Right next to the Basilica is the St. Peter's Square. With an imposing Obelisk in the center and fountains on the axis which was relocated from Egypt, the square looks particularly delightful in the night with the light playing on the water as well as dancing through the columns of the Basilica.
The set of steps connecting Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti is a monumental stairway made in 1725. Framed by the Fonatana della Barcacia at the bottom and the Trinitia dei Monti church at the top, this wide stairway is a regal scene indeed.
A baroque fountain that is famous the world over. It is the largest fountain in the Vatican City and is known for the tradition of throwing coins into the fountain, something made famous in numerous movies.
Built in 1914 after the actor of the same name, this building is a shopping arcade, and a grand structure. It is a shopping arcade with numerous small boutiques, this apart, the interiors are quite beautiful and elegant and even if one chooses not to shop here, just walking around indoors is quite a serene experience.
This baroque church used to previously function as the chapel of the Roman College next to it. It became an independent church after the College moved to another building. Apart from the structure itself, the church has beautiful frescoes inside and has four side chapels.
A building that hearkens back to the Roman times, it was last rebuilt in 126 AD. Though now it's a Roman catholic church, it was originally built as a house of all the Roman gods.
Another Roman structure, it has now been refashioned as a city square with Baroque Roman architecture. It was originally built as a stadium where the Romans used to come to watch games.
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