
One of the first things people ask on our Walking Tour of Rome is what's up with that big white building in the centre of town. It is the Altar of the Fatherland, or Vittoriano as locals know it — a grand monument dating to the 19th century which recalls and celebrates Italian unification and the first king of united Italy – Victor Emmanuelle II.
The building serves many purposes. It has a collection of museums relating to the unification, the Italian language and recent military history, the altar of the fatherland (a secular altar) and the tomb of the unknown soldier. Its summit affords spectacular views over Rome's ancient centre.
Many have mixed feelings about the Vittoriano monument. Plenty of Romans hate it, liking it to a wedding cake or a typewriter. Others admire its bold neoclassical design. We rather like it. But we also can't help but feel that it's slightly out of place in Rome - it would be more at home in Paris or Vienna.
Many people don’t realise how recently Italy became a country When you are surrounded by thousands of years of history and architecture, it is confusing to hear that Italy — as a cohesive territory united under a flag and a common language — is less than two hundred years old. Younger than America, and only a fraction older than Canada and Australia.
After the Roman Empire fell, Italy was ransacked by waves of invaders. Italy became a collection of divided city-states, governed by the pope, aristocratic families with private armies and foreign interests like the French, the Spanish (who controlled southern Italy from Naples down) and the Austro-Hungarians. Finally, in the 19th century, after decades of fighting for independence, the Italian regions banded together to take back control of the Italian peninsula.
The ‘Kingdom of Italy’ was created in 1861 – this was called the Risorgimento (resurgence) or the Unification of Italy. At the same time, the pope (who had ruled the papal states including Rome for centuries) retreated inside the walls of the Vatican City. Victor Emmanuelle II who had been instrumental in bringing about the Risorgimento became the first king.
The Altar of the Fatherland, otherwise known as the Vittoriano
Building the Vittoriano
When Victor Emmanuel II died in 1878, the Italian state wanted a monument to the Risorgimento and the first King of Italy. The architect, Giuseppe Sacconi planned an elaborate design of terraces and porticoes using classical architectural forms inspired by the Roman Forum (which is behind the monument) – the result was a modern neoclassical forum with space for visitors to stroll.
The heart of the ancient centre of Rome and the most important hill (the Capitoline) were chosen as the site for the monument, intended to create a modern urban context with a large new piazza in the centre (Piazza Venezia). The idea was to bring Rome into the modern age to rival London and Berlin and to create a public space with stairways and terraces for the populace. Initial plans were for a raised square on three levels but soon the monumental complex exceeded the designs and kept spreading outwards.
It required the demolition of numerous buildings dating back to the Middle Ages and to ancient Roman times. Seventeen metres below the building today there are Roman remains and quarries.
The Vittoriano is enormous - 81 m (266 ft) in height (including the chariots) and 135 m (443 ft) wide, it dominates Piazza Venezia and is an integral part of Rome’s skyline from any viewpoint. Building started in 1885 and continued until 1935, although it was officially inaugurated in 1911. The design is of a huge covered portico with classical columns and a propylaea or monumental gateway at each end. The open portico is set on a sweeping staircase of 243 steps which lead to the so-called altar of the fatherland, which is topped by a statue of the goddess Roma (beneath lies the crypt of the unknown soldier).
At the centre of the monument above the altar is a statue of Victor Emmanuelle II, the hero and namesake of the monument; he is seated on a horse and cuts a regal, dashing figure sporting an impressive moustache which is actually over 1m wide. To give an idea of how gigantic the building and the statue is, imagine a group of people having celebratory drinks inside the horse. The wonderful photo below was taken in 1909 just days before the statue’s inauguration!
Photograph from the inaugural dinner held inside the body of the horse statue
The Vittoriano celebrates the unification of Italy, the Italian army and the legacy of the first king. Many of the statues on the monument are allegorical relating to the efforts of the soldiers who fought for independence, they represent virtues and emotions and are named; thought, action, force, concord, sacrifice and the right. At the heart of the monument, beneath the base of the equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuelle II is the altar of the fatherland (a secular altar) dedicated to a free and united Italy which is topped by a statue of Roma.
In 1921 the monument became the site of the Grave of the Unknown Soldier; the actual crypt is beneath the altar and can be seen from the inside. The soldier was one of many who died in the first world war who could not be named, alongside the Altar the crypt symbolises the sacrifices made for the people, the homeland and these combined ideals. The Altar of the Fatherland and the Crypt beneath are flanked by two pedestals with flames that are continually lit and are constantly guarded by two soldiers from Italy’s armed forces.
Grave of the Unknown Soldier
The building has many names thanks to its numerous attributes. The Victor Emmanuel II Monument, Altar of the Fatherland, the wedding cake, the monstrosity and my favourite is Mussolini’s typewriter. Many Romans hate the building: it’s too big and not in keeping with the area, it is built using Brescian stone from the North of Italy rather than local masonry but most importantly a great many medieval buildings were destroyed to build the monument and numerous Romans were forcibly rehoused. Others wrongly attribute the building to Mussolini, although it had already been inaugurated by the time Mussolini came to power.
Mussolini and his fascist regime came to power in 1922 when the building had already been inaugurated and was mostly complete. Mussolini’s offices were situated in the Palazzo Venezia (the pinkish building to the left of Piazza Venezia), today his balcony is marked with flags. It was from this balcony that Mussolini addressed the crowds that gathered to hear his speeches.
Mussolini appropriated the Vittoriano as a symbol of his fascist regime, distorting the original intent of its unifying and strengthening symbolism. The Vittoriano was covered by Fascist symbols and became associated with Fascist ideology which was at odds with the original spirit of the Risorgimento. After the fall of the regime, all Fascist elements added to the building by Mussolini were removed, but unfortunately in the minds of many the association with the dictator remains.
Photograph of a crowd in Piazza Venezia listening to Mussolini’s speech (1930)
Still today, the Vittoriano is regarded as a symbol of Italy and hosts important national celebrations. Every year wreaths are laid in remembrance at the Crypt and Altar by leading officials of the city; the largest annual celebrations are Liberation Day (April 25), Republic Day (June 2), and Armed Forces Day (November 4).
In 2020 year, thanks to COVID-19 the celebrations were rather muted. The Italian President Sergio Mattarella presided over the celebrations laying a wreath at the altar overlooking an empty piazza wearing a mask.
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Feed your curiosity as you please your palate on this indulgent Rome Food Tour! There's a reason our tour is multi-award-winning, and it's because we give you an all-access pass to savouring the Eternal City, stress-free. With everything pre-arranged, you’ll bypass the crowds as you taste your way through Rome; no queues, no guesswork—just authentic Roman cuisine. This fun (and filling) food tour gives you and a group of fellow foodies a taste of the city's culinary treasures, from local delicatessens and pizzerias to traditional trattorias and restaurants, you'll try all the authentic spots that the locals keep to themselves but your guide will reveal to you.
Our award-winning Rome food tour takes place in Trastevere, Rome's most traditional medieval neighbourhood. While the area is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and world-class cuisine, just like the rest of Rome, this neighbourhood also has its fair share of tourist traps. That's why we have teamed up with the places that keep to traditions and serve food for locals.
Because holidays are too short to eat badly, right?
This food tour in Rome will treat your tastebuds to at least 10 different tastings (vegetarian options available!) perfectly paired with a selection of local wines or non-alcoholic beverages for sober travellers. Try crispy Roman-style pizza by the slice, savoury supplì, and the best gelato in the city. Experience is more than just simply trying local cuisine, it's a glimpse inside the Roman kitchen—discovering the delicacies, the diet and the cultural dos and don’ts.
While you taste your way through the capital on this food tour; Rome will fully open up as you’ll also discover the process, meet the makers, and truly understand why Italian cuisine is considered the best in the world. So book your spot on our Rome Food Tour today and get ready for a true taste of the capital!
Please note: the places that we visit and the food that we try depend on the season.
Looking for a more intimate local experience with no strangers? We now offer an exclusive semi-private Rome food tour for groups of 6 or fewer.
This is a sustainable tour, meaning part of its profits go towards reforestation and other sustainable projects. We also ask all of our guests to bring a reusable water bottle to refill at one of the water fountains along our route to stay hydrated and help us reduce waste.
**Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate a gluten-free or vegan diet, but we hope to be able to in the future. While we can cater to vegetarians, we ask that you let us know about dietary requirements in advance so we can best suit your needs.**
One of the best ways to meet people in a new city is to grab a drink together, and few city serve up more iconic drinks than Rome. Whether you’re travelling solo or with a group, for a long vacation or a short city break – our Rome Tipsy Tour is for you!
This unique nightlife experience combines all our favourite elements of travel: discovering new places, being immersed in different cultures, meeting fun people, and trying out a range of delicious drinks! It’s not a run-of-the-mill bar crawl. It’s a sociable tour that gives you a real taste of with Rome’s sights, stories, and signature drinks in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with fun, local hosts. We also welcome sober travellers who want to join for a social experience but who want to forgo a hangover, so we’ll have non-alcoholic options available as well!
You’ll meet your guide and group at Piazza Madonna dei Monti, where we’ll break the ice with a warm Italian welcome – aka, a refreshing glass of local wine. After saying cheers—salute—we’ll head into Monti, an uber-trendy district filled with quirky bars and cobblestoned streets, and plenty to unpack. In ancient Rome, Monti was known as a suburra – the red-light district of Rome where prostitutes plied their trade and gangsters once roamed. As we wander through the cobblestone streets your guide will tell you scandalous stories of sex and bloodshed that you won’t hear on your typical walking tour.
After so much scandal, you’ll surely need a drink. So at our first stop on the Rome Tipsy Tour you’ll get an extra stiff one. The spotlight will be on Carpano Classico a venerable vermouth with a curious story! Unravel the history of the man who made it – Antonio Benedetto Carpano – back in 1786 whilst sharing some sips with your newfound friends.
We’ll keep the night going with some more saucy stories before trying a classic Italian Spritz. Indulge in the bitter flavours of Aperol or Campari Spritz while enjoying dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing—apart from getting tipsy of course!
Our final stop is Rome’s most iconic road, the Via dei Fori Imperiali, leading down to the Colosseum. The views of the ancient city are best enjoyed after dark with an ice-cold Limoncello – trust us. Sip away as your guide tells shocking stories of the power-hungry Roman emperors who once ruled the known world.
At 11 p.m., the Tipsy Tour officially ends, but the night out begins! We will continue drinking with our new friends at some of Rome’s most popular bars!
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We promise to make your night in Rome one you’ll never forget! Skip a boring walking tour, and come get tipsy with us.
Book your spot now!
Did someone say Spritz? Discover the flavours of Rome on our Spritz and Spaghetti Class. Our centrally located kitchen is where you’ll learn everything you need to mix traditional Italian cocktails, and perfect the art of making fresh pasta. This is the only cooking class of its kind in Rome – a perfect blend of food, friends, and tipsy fun. So come join us and see what all the fuss is about!
Our team will welcome you and your small, intimate group with a mixology demo making Italy’s best-loved drink: Aperol Spritz. You’ll then get started on your hands-on pasta-making lesson led by a fun-loving, fluent professional chef before making a Hugo Spritz.
Your professional chef will guide you every step of the way – from kneading the dough to cutting the pasta. You’ll also be making a creamy carbonara sauce to coat your fresh pasta (vegetarians can try out another Roman classic of cacio e pepe). Travelling is all about meeting new people. At the end of this cooking class, you’ll dine on what you’ve made with a glass of Limoncello Spritz to wash it all down.
Book now and start making memories.
Channel your inner-Maximus as you step out onto the Colosseum Arena floor and access this recently reopened area of the world famous amphitheatre. Then, explore the rest of the heart of ancient Rome, with a friendly, expert guide and a small group of like-minded travellers!
Unlike regular tours of the Colosseum, our Colosseum Arena Tour gets you straight inside the ancient amphitheatre and out onto the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate. This is the route the gladiators themselves took almost 2,000 years ago. Imagine the moment they left the gates, and were greeted by the cheers and jeers of 50,000 bloodthirsty spectators.
Your expert guide will transport you back in time to the height of the Roman Empire when the Colosseum was constructed. These were times when Rome was ruled by all-powerful emperors (sometimes wise, sometimes wacky), the city was flooded with exotic riches from around the world, and the Colosseum acted as the city’s main stage for showing off the animals and people that Rome had conquered and captured.
After a short 30-minute break, we’ll head off on the next part of the tour…
Next, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill, where the ancient city was founded. The Palatine Hill is a real archaeological wonder, home to settlements from the Iron Age to the 16th century. Gaze upon such sites as the Hut of Romulus, Rome’s legendary founder, and the Imperial Palace, where the emperors in their family engaged in ruling, politicking, and scheming. Get your camera at the ready – you really can’t beat these views!
The final destination on our Colosseum Arena Tour is the Roman Forum. As the beating heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was once a bustling hub of markets, law courts, temples, and more. It was here that Julius Caesar was cremated, where victorious triumphs paraded with the spoils of Roman conquests, here where two disgraced emperors were murdered in 69 AD, and here where Cicero delivered the speeches that shaped western culture for centuries.
When our tour is over, feel free to stay and explore the Roman Forum at your own pace.
Book the complete ancient Roman experience today with our Colosseum Arena Tour!
Join us on a journey through Roman history on our immersive Rome by Night Walking Tour. Your expert guide will share the city’s secrets, history, and fascinating tales—from antiquity through to the modern day, and at a pace to suit you.
Our tour starts in Rome’s most picturesque square, Piazza Navona, where the ancient Romans used to watch athletic contests (agones). Today’s piazza sits above the ancient stadium and boasts Gian Lorenzo Bernini‘s stunning Fountain of the Four Rivers as its centrepiece.
A five-minute walk from Piazza Navona takes us to the world-famous Pantheon. Constructed more than two-thousand years ago by the eccentric emperor Hadrian, the Pantheon was consecrated as a monument to all the pagan gods (pan theos, in Greek meaning all the gods). This second-century temple is one of the best-preserved monuments in the Roman Empire and its unreinforced concrete dome still perplexes architects.
Our next stop is the iconic Trevi Fountain. Immortalised by Anita Ekberg wading through its water in Federico Fellini’s iconic film La Dolce Vita, the Trevi Fountain one of the most romantic spots in the Eternal City. Snap your photos of the monument in the moonlight, listen to your guide decipher its symbols, and toss a coin over your shoulder to guarantee your return to Rome.
We emerge from Rome’s winding backstreets onto Piazza Venezia. Stretching from the foot of the Capitoline Hill, against the backdrop of the Altar of the Fatherland, Piazza Venezia is Rome’s most recognisable square, and a repository of history involving figures from Napoleon to Mussolini.
Your guide will lead you down the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the boulevard that cuts through ancient Rome, past Trajan’s Column and alongside the forums of Trajan, Augustus and Nerva. Your guide will feed your curiosity and nourish you with knowledge about ancient Rome and its empire as you make your way towards the most famous monument of all: the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is one of the most awe-inspiring attractions that has survived from antiquity. As a colossal feat of architecture and engineering, its form has been replicated throughout the ages, manifested in stadiums and sports venues around the world. But while its form is familiar to us, the spectacles it accommodated are entirely alien, and remind us of the violent nature of Roman culture.
Group sizes are 15 people maximum.
Book your spot now to avoid missing out!
Short on time but big on curiosity? Our Colosseum Walking Tour is your express pass to ancient Rome, without waiting in queues. In just 1.5 hours we’ll walk the same route once trodden by gladiators and discover the drama, architecture, and daily life of the Roman Empire, all from outside its most legendary landmarks.
We’ll start just outside the Colosseum, where your guide will bring its epic past to life, from bloody battles to groundbreaking Roman engineering. Then, we’ll stroll through the Forum of Augustus, where politics met propaganda, and on to Trajan’s Column, once the empire’s grandest shopping and storytelling space. You’ll hear not just about emperors but also about the shopkeepers, citizens, and stories that represented everyday life in the Ancient City.
For the grand final we’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Roman Forum, the true heart of ancient Rome, where religion, power, and public life collided. It’s here where you’ll begin to truly understand the bigger picture of Rome’s rise, rule, and reinvention.
This tour is perfect for travellers who want maximum insight in minimal time, so what are you waiting for?
Book now, and experience the stories, secrets, and sights that shaped the Eternal City, no tickets, no lines, just unforgettable history.
Learn to cook like an Italian in this small group pasta & tiramisù cooking class that gives you mastery over the country’s best-loved classics. Over the course of three fun-filled hours, you’ll enjoy the expert guidance of our fluent professional chef and get hands on recreating real Roman recipes, culminating in a well-deserved dinner and dessert.
Situated in our centrally situated air-conditioned cooking school, your interactive class will give you the true sense of an Italian nonna’s loving kitchen. Led by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable English-speaking chef, our cooking masterclass is perfect for kids and adults, beginners and experts.
Savoiardi (ladyfingers) are gently dipped in rich coffee before being layered with dollops of delicately mixed eggs and panna (cream). Finished off with a sprinkle of cocoa, these delicious desserts are set aside to rest in time for an after-dinner energy boost. In fact, the espresso within a tiramisù is what gives it a name that translates literally as “pick me up”!
Rolling up our sleeves, here is where we channel our inner nonna. Mixing, kneading, rolling, and shaping our fresh pasta from scratch will work up a sweat but result in elegant end products. We will then combine these carefully crafted creations with the flavours of the season and locality; be it twangy cacio e pepe or creamy carbonara.
How else to conclude your cooking class than by fully indulging in your culinary creations! Celebrate your accomplishment with family-friendly company, a gorgeous setting, and a glass of local wine or prosecco.
Whether returning a culinary maestro or a self-proclaimed novice, you’ll be sure to take the memories home with you and ruling your dinner parties back home!
This isn’t your average elementary school pizza party; this is Rome, and we’re turning up the heat! Just ten minutes from the Colosseum, our high-energy cooking class is where pizzas fly and glasses are raised high.
In this dough-lightful evening experience, you’ll toss, top, and toast your way through a night of pizza-making, drink-sipping, and full-on Roman revelry. Ready to make your very own pizza? You’ll get a slice of pizza history from Rome and beyond, and a charismatic local chef will show you how to work the dough like a pro.
Roll, knead, and spread the dough before topping it off with everything your heart desires, except pineapple of course, we've got to stick to the rules. Then, as the dough rises, so does the mood because you'll get a crash course in Italian mixology. Sip on traditional Italian cocktails like Aperol and Hugo Spritz and socialise with your fellow chefs while your pizza bakes to Roman perfection.
Then, when everything is ready, it’s time to eat! You’ll dine like the Italians over a homemade pizza while continuing to sip on a Limoncello Spritz until your heart's content. You know the saying, when life gives you lemons, we turn it into a toast.
Whether you’re coming with friends, your amore, or are ready to make new pizza-loving pals, this isn’t just dinner, it’s a hands-on, wine-filled, flour-dusted party you’ll never forget.
So come hungry, bring your appetite for fun, and let’s raise a glass (and a pizza peel) to the tastiest night of your Roman holiday!
Looking for family-friendly fun in the heart of Rome? After this class, the Eternal City is sure to steal a pizza your heart. This midday culinary experience is perfect for families, kids, and anyone who believes lunch should come with a side of laughter (and dessert). You’ll be mixing, kneading, laughing, and layering your way through two of Italy’s most iconic dishes: pizza and tiramisù.
We’ll meet in our centrally located kitchen, just a stone’s throw away from the Colosseum. Here you’ll roll up your sleeves and get ready for a delicious adventure from start to finish. A local chef will teach you about the different styles of pizza before you craft your own from scratch. Make and knead the dough, then get creative with toppings before firing it up to golden, cheesy perfection.
But wait—there’s s’more! After the pizza party, it’s time to sweeten things up with a tiramisù-making session. It’s creamy, dreamy, and sure to tirami-woo the crowd.
After everything is cooled and baked, you’ll sit down and enjoy your culinary masterpieces with your fellow chefs. The best part? Parents can also enjoy a glass of local wine or prosecco. It’s more than a meal, it’s a memory in the making, sprinkled with a touch of cocoa powder.
What are you waiting for? Grab your spot, bring your appetite, and get ready for a slice of fun that the whole famiglia will love.
Ready to travel back in time to experience the might of the Roman Empire? Our small-group Colosseum guided tour lets you step straight into ancient Rome, no time machines (or long lines) required. With timed -entry and fast-track access and an expert licensed guide, you’ll breeze past the queues and straight into the jaw-dropping world of emperors, gladiators, and ancient stories that will stick with you forever.
We’ll start our 3-hour adventure at the Colosseum, Rome’s most famous amphitheatre and the site of some of the most bloody public spectacles in history. Your guide will reveal the story and secrets behind this impressive monument and provide answers to your burning questions:
The answers might surprise you, but not more than the exclusive above-the-arena views that offer a new perspective of the Eternal City.
After your immersive Colosseum tour, we’ll ascend Palatine Hill, Rome's legendary birthplace. It was here that Romulus founded his city, after murdering his brother Remus, and here where the rich and famous of the Roman Republic had their homes. During the time of the Roman Empire, the Palatine Hill was the site of the emperor's palace, royal intrigue, and some of the city's best panoramic views. This is where myths met marble, and emperors ruled with an iron fist.
Then we will head down into the Roman Forum, once the buzzing hub of Roman public life. We’ll wander through the ruins of ancient temples, triumphal arches, and the political stages that shaped the Roman Empire, all brought to life through the expert storytelling of your licensed guide.
With the comfort of a small group, a well-paced itinerary, and the best value for money of any Colosseum tour, this isn’t just a tour, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience through the rise (and fall) of ancient Rome. Spots fill fast, so grab yours and make your Roman holiday legendary.
Travelling with 6 or fewer people? We recommend upgrading to our semi-private tour of Ancient Rome for a more personalised experience. With this semi-private Colosseum tour, you can explore at a more relaxed pace, enjoy a more intimate experience with the people you care about most, and experience the personalised attention of a guide who can answer all of your burning questions.
The best way to understand Rome is to take a look beneath it. Our Rome Catacombs Tour is perfect for travellers who want to get off the beaten track, unearth underground passageways, and discover the secrets of the largest catacombs in Rome.
Prepare to discover the deeper, darker, and more mysterious parts of Roman history with a small group of like-minded adventurers. By digging downwards into the ancient labyrinth of tunnels, we’ll uncover all the secrets and dark tales of the catacombs of Domitilla.
Your friendly expert guide will meet you outside and give you a quick overview of the tour before we make our descent. With our close guidance, you’ll have the chance to explore and discover ancient passageways in the largest, most famous catacombs in Rome. These tunnels are sacred and an integral part of the Christian and Roman faiths. Learn how ancient Christian rites and rituals were held underneath the bustling city streets.
These tunnels were not only a place of ritual, but are still a sacred place of rest for more than 150,000 bodies. These catacombs and the bodies they hold stretch for almost 20 km underground, some of which is yet to be seen by the public eye.
With a maximum of ten travellers per tour group, you’ll have the opportunity to ask plenty of questions. The price of the tour includes the tickets. If you’d like to join us on our Rome Catacombs Tour of the darkest, largest catacombs in Rome, book your spot now to make sure you don’t miss out!
Rome may well be the world’s most beautiful city, but after dark a more sinister side emerges. The ghosts of popes, emperors, and artists lurk on every corner, their lives claimed by tragedy and conspiracy across more than 2,000 years of history. Our Rome Ghost Tour is not for the faint hearted — you’ll hear the ghastly tales of beheadings and murder that are sure to keep you up late at night.
Your Rome Ghost Tour starts at Campo de’ Fiori, a central square, where you’ll be treated to the tale of Giordano Bruno, one of Rome’s greatest minds who got on the wrong side of the church. After learning about his grisly end, you’ll begin to explore the city. Venture through medieval backstreets; visit an ancient church adorned with skulls; and step inside the home to a mysterious order of monks. Discover the childhood home of one of Rome’s most infamous executioners; see the site of one of Rome’s most infamous prisons; and pass by a poisonous perfumery where cosmetics killed.
Your tour ends at the imposing Castel Sant’Angelo, where your guide will reveal the horror of Rome’s most disturbing executions. If you’re (un)lucky, you might even encounter a ghost or two.
No matter what, you’ll never see Rome the same way again.