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Rome, Italy
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3 hrsDocking in Civitavecchia and wondering how to squeeze every drop out of Rome? You're in luck.
The Eternal City is just an hour away by train. Whether you've got one day to play tourist or you're extending your adventure for a few extra nights, we’ve got a list of experiences that'll make your fellow day cruise passengers seriously jealous.
Civitavecchia is Rome's cruise port and sits just about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the city centre.
Civitavecchia port
That hour-long train ride? It becomes your gateway to ancient wonders, incredible food, and stories that'll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about Western civilisation.
Let's break down exactly how to make the most of your time, no matter if you're working with tight port hours or luxuriating in a multi-day Roman holiday.
Cruise ship schedule breathing down your neck? No prob. Rome's day trips from Civitavecchia are designed for exactly this situation.
Start your day with a Semi-Private Colosseum Arena Tour, which includes skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.
This three-hour adventure gets you straight past those notorious queues and into the heart of gladiatorial glory. An expert guide will reveal the blood-soaked secrets of the arena floor, explain how 50,000+ Romans managed to file in and out without causing a stampede, and show you the exclusive above-the-arena views that most visitors never see.
Next comes the Palatine Hill. It’s the legendary birthplace where Romulus founded Rome after that… unfortunate incident with his brother Remus. The ruins of imperial palaces sprawl across the hilltop, offering panoramic views that emperors once claimed as their own.
Then you'll descend into the Roman Forum, where senators debated, merchants haggled, and Julius Caesar walked the same stones you're standing on.
👉 Book Your Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum Tour
After your ancient history deep-dive, it’s time to hit the city's most iconic landmarks in two manageable hours.
Your storyteller guide brings the Pantheon's impossible dome to life, explains the engineering genius behind the Trevi Fountain, and navigates you through Piazza Navona's baroque splendour.
Snapping a selfie in front of the Trevi Fountain in 2023
Pantheon view from inside
This schedule is perfect for shore excursions in Rome when time's tight, but your wanderlust isn't.
👉 Book Your Wonders of Rome Tour
If your ship departure allows, squeeze in time for a food tour through Trastevere before heading back to port.
Our award-winning experience takes you to family-owned spots where locals actually eat. No tourist traps, just authentic Roman-style pizza, crispy supplì, and gelato that'll ruin all other gelato for you forever.
With at least ten different tastings paired with local wines, it's the perfect way to understand why Italian cuisine makes the rest of the world jealous.
And before you go, don’t forget to see the keyhole! You can find it across the river from Trastevere at the top of the Aventine Hill. We won’t ruin the surprise; it’s something you just have to see for yourself.
👉 Book Your Trastevere Food Tour
You don’t need to know how to swim for this dive. Finishing your cruise and want to stay an extra night? Smart move. Day cruises tours in Rome get exponentially better when you're not watching the clock.
Follow the one-day itinerary above, but add a private Colosseum arena tour for a more intimate experience if you're travelling with family or friends. Smaller groups mean personalised attention, more time for questions, and the ability to explore at your own pace without strangers photobombing every shot.
Spend your afternoon wandering through Rome's historic centre at a leisurely pace after the Wonders tour. Your guide will happily recommend authentic bars and restaurants near Piazza Navona where you can settle in for an aperitivo without feeling rushed.
👉 Book Your Private Colosseum Tour
Start your second day with a hands-on cooking class at our centrally located, air-conditioned cooking school.
Over three fun-filled hours, a professional English-speaking chef teaches you to create authentic Roman recipes from scratch. You'll knead fresh pasta, master carbonara sauce (or cacio e pepe for vegetarians), and learn why tiramisù literally means "pick me up".
The class culminates in a well-deserved dinner featuring everything you've made, complete with local wine or prosecco.
No kids around and feeling boozy? Get in on our Spritz and Spaghetti Class instead. it's the only cooking class in Rome that combines mixology with pasta-making. You'll craft traditional Italian cocktails like Aperol Spritz and Hugo Spritz while learning hands-on pasta techniques. Then dine on your creations with newfound friends!
After dark, join the Rome Tipsy Tour (why not keep the liquor flowing?) for an introduction to the city's aperitivo culture.
This isn't your typical bar crawl. It's a stroll through Rome's Monti district, once the ancient red-light suburra where gangsters and prostitutes ruled. Your guide shares scandalous stories while you sample Carpano Classico vermouth, classic Spritz cocktails, and finish with ice-cold Limoncello near the Colosseum.
The official tour ends at 11 PM, but the night continues with your new tipsy besties at Rome's most popular bars.
👉 Book a Tipsy Tour (but act fast!)
Three days turns your trip from a Rome shore excursion into full-on immersion. Now you can breathe, explore side streets without guilt, and actually sit down to enjoy your aperitivo with a view.
Start with a comprehensive tour covering the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.
With a small group size and a well-paced itinerary, our three-hour experience provides the best value for a Colosseum tour. A licensed guide brings myths to marble, explaining how emperors ruled with iron fists and why certain architectural secrets still baffle modern engineers.
Spend your afternoon on a walking tour, hitting the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. These two hours on foot leaves enough energy for independent exploration afterward and plenty of reason to relax for aperitivo.
Our guide's local recommendations for nearby restaurants and bars come in handy here. Trust us.
👉 Book Your Leisurely Walking Tour
👉 Book Your Rome-at-Night Experience
You know what they say: the way to Rome’s heart is through its stomach. So why not dedicate your second day to getting inside the belly of the Eternal City?
As we always suggest, begin the day with a food tour through Trastevere, Rome's most traditional medieval neighbourhood. Our multi-award-winning tour bypasses the lines and gets you up-close-and-center at establishments that serve locals, not tourists. You enjoy the food; we take care of the rest. Simple, huh?
You'll sample at least ten different tastings, including Roman-style pizza, savoury supplì, and the city's best gelato, all paired with local wines or non-alcoholic beverages.
The experience goes beyond eating, too. You'll discover the process, meet the makers, and understand why Italian cuisine earns its global reputation. Our sustainable tour contributes profits toward reforestation projects and encourages guests to bring reusable water bottles for Rome's many public fountains.
Later, join either the Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class or the Pizza & Cocktail Making Class to get your hands dirty. Our classes can accommodate kids and adults, beginners and experts, in an intimate small group setting that feels like cooking in an Italian nonna's kitchen.
On your final day, pick the experience that speaks to your travel style.
For some one-on-one time on the streets of Rome, book a private walking tour. Smaller groups of six or fewer let you explore at a relaxed pace with a guide who can focus entirely on your interests and answer every burning question.
If you're craving one last food experience (and we know you are, don’t hide it), our Semi-Private Rome Food Tour offers an exclusive culinary journey with dedicated guide attention. With only six people per group, you'll enjoy personalised service and a more intimate experience!
Alternatively, extend your Rome shore excursion with a day trip to Florence or explore Rome's neighbourhoods independently, armed with all the insider knowledge your guides have shared over the previous days.
👉 Book Your Private Walking Tour
Civitavecchia train station sits about a mile from the cruise port, easily accessible by taxi or local bus. Trains to Rome run every 30 minutes, taking approximately 70-80 minutes to reach Termini Station.
For faster service, the Civitavecchia Express reaches Roma San Pietro in 35-40 minutes with guaranteed seating, perfect for Rome day cruise passengers. Book all your train tickets in advance through the TrenItalia website.
All Carpe Diem Tours include skip-the-line tickets where applicable, because we know vacation time is too valuable to waste standing in queues. Our expert guides have earned us spots in the top 1% of Rome tour operators on TripAdvisor, with experiences perfected over years of getting travellers under Rome's skin.
Remember: spaces fill fast, especially during peak cruise season. So, secure your spots early and prepare for a Rome shore excursion that'll make everyone else look like they’re sunbathing during a tempest.
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Rome, ItalyChannel 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!
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Rome, ItalyFeed 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.**
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Rome, ItalyExplore the wonders of the Eternal City on our Wonders of Rome Walking Tour! As you get your bearings around Rome’s cobbled historic centre, your expert storyteller will bring Rome’s most must-see sites to life, including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. Take photos, make memories, and most importantly, get the most out of your time in the Italian capital!
Your guide will share the city’s secrets and narrate its story in a way that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time – from explaining how the stunningly intricate churches and palaces were erected, to how the grand fountains were used to channel water throughout the city.
After meeting your guide at Piazza d'Aracoeli, we'll head to the Piazza Venezia, the crossroads between the ancient city and the modern capital and one of the most scenic squares in Italy! We'll then admire Trajan’s Column, a second-century AD monument which portrays the bloody victory of the emperor Trajan in his Dacian wars in Eastern Europe.
After taking a moment to marvel at the imposing Altar of the Fatherland, we’ll make our way to the iconic Trevi Fountain. Toss a coin into the fountain, spend a moment soaking in its sounds and scenery (metaphorically, not literally!), and uncover the fascinating stories behind the fountain’s statues and symbols.
We’ll then make our way to the Pantheon where the spectacle of the 2000-year-old dome will blow you away. Marvel at one of the best-preserved buildings of the ancient world, hear the story behind the man who built it, and discover the shocking architectural secret behind how the dome is (or isn’t) supported!
The square is situated near some of Rome’s best and most vibrant bars and restaurants and your guide will be happy to recommend where to go.
Our Rome Walking Tour is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. You can expect this memorable experience to last about two hours, which leaves you with more than enough time to explore the city beyond. Make sure you don’t miss out.
Secure your spot today!
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Rome, ItalyJoin 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!
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Rome, ItalyDid 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.
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Rome, ItalyLearn 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!
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Rome, ItalyLooking 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.
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Rome, ItalyThe 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!
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Rome, ItalyOne 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!
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