
Contrary to popular belief, Carpe Diem does not mean ‘Seize the Day’. Instead the Latin aphorism means pluck the day, not seize it; and subtle though this difference may seem, it is in fact significant.
This Latin saying Carpe Diem first appears in the Odes (lyric poems) composed by the poet Horace during the reign of the emperor Augustus. The poem in which it appears, Ode 11, dates to 23 BC, which was an important year in Roman history as it was the year in which Rome’s first emperor Augustus assumed the title of princeps (or ‘first citizen’), the title of which gives us the word 'prince'.
This effectively marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.
Depiction of the 1st-century Roman poet Horace, the author of Carpe Diem
Horace’s poem begins with the poet addressing a Greek woman called Leuconoe. She may have been a slave (Greeks in ancient Rome often were) to whom our poet was offering advice, but she was more likely a courtesan he was trying to seduce.
The silver-tongued devil.
Leuconoe likes to divine the future through horoscopes—or 'Babylonian calculations' as Horace calls them (those damn Babylonians, coming over here and divining our futures etc...), but Horace urges her not to. "Only Jupiter can know our fate," he declares; "life is short, so it is better to live in the present, strain the wine, and carpe diem, trusting as little in tomorrow as possible."
To help you understand the meaning of Carpe Diem, here's Horace's poem in full:
Tu ne quaesieris (scire nefas) quem mihi, quem tibi finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babylonios temptaris numeros. Ut melius quicquid erit pati! Seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam, quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare Tyrrhenum, sapias, vina liques et spatio brevi spem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit invida aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
“Please don’t ask Leuconoe - the gods don’t wish it to be known - what end they have given me or you, and don’t dabble with Babylonian calculations. How much better to accept whatever comes, whether Jupiter grants us more winters or this is our last, which is now wearying the Tyrrhenian sea on the pumice rocks opposing it. Be wise, strain the wine, and, since time is short, renounce extended hope. Envious time flies as we speak; pluck the day trusting as little in the future as possible.”
What stands out in this last part is the phrase invida aetas fugerit, translated here as 'envious time flies as we speak'.
You've probably heard the expression 'time flies'; it also comes from Latin—specifically the Latin author Virgil's expression tempus fugit. The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that Virgil uses a different noun for time (tempus) than Horace (aetas), which is because the Latin word aetas translates more to our meaning of lifetime or generation.
Carpe Diem takes on a different meaning in the context of this envious fleeting age. There's a sense of urgency, immediacy—of gripping hold of the moment in the knowledge that nothing is permanent.
Deriving from the Latin verb carpere, carpe means to pluck, harvest, or reap. And so carpe diem means to pluck the day. Horace, like other Roman poets, used an abundance of agricultural language and terminology. The Romans even had their own extensive (and often painfully dull) genre of pastoral poetry, which is an excellent remedy for insomnia but not the most stimulating literature.
Many words in our modern vocabulary are rooted in Latin agricultural language. Take our word culture, for example, which comes from the Latin verb colere (meaning to cultivate or grow) or the noun cultura, meaning cultivation.
Horace uses the metaphor of wine and fruit to suggest living for today because life is short and future plans may not come to fruition. In Latin, the phrase is rich with imagery. It conveys the idea of picking fruit the moment it is ripe and not waiting until its best has passed. And so the ancient meaning of Carpe Diem was to live in the fullness of the moment—to pluck the day and not trust in tomorrow.
We mentioned earlier that the woman Horace was addressing might have been a courtesan or prostitute. Why do we think this, and what implications does this have for the meaning of Carpe Diem?
Well, something worth asking is what Horace is asking of Leuconoe? What is he advising her about? His immediate reference to ‘me and you’, his oblique reference to fruit (a symbol of temptation) and wine (a metaphor for a loss of inhibition), and his plea that she lives in the present all suggest that our poet is trying to get this young Greek girl into bed. Well, here is where things get fruity.
**Explicit content warning**
Peeling fruit bore sexual connotations in Latin. The Romans used the same word for peeling fruit (glubere) as they did for masturbating and peeling back the foreskin. The poet Catullus, a near contemporary of Horace, has left us a pretty vivid example of this — and it’s worth warning that Catullus’ poetry contains some of the most explicit lines from Latin literature, including my personal favourite pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo, which translates as ‘I will sodomize you and'...
Well, best look up the rest yourself.
In his writing about Lesbia, Catullus’ love interest and Latin literature's most famous prostitute, Catullus writes about her ‘peeling back the descendants of Romulus and Remus’ (glubit magnanimi Remi nepotes) while working the streets and preparing to give her clients blowjobs.
Plucking in Latin is less sexually charged than peeling. Plucking is gentle, sensual, and dependent on timing. You can only pick fruit when it’s ready: ripe fruit isn’t all that rewarding, but rotten fruit is even worse. Seizing on the other hand is forceful, violent, and not dependent on the right timing.
You seize something when you want it, not necessarily when it’s ready.
If Horace were alive today, and had more than lyric poetry and flute music to serenade his love interest, he'd have probably wooed her with something like this. (Only in toga instead of black tie).
A dead poet introduced Carpe Diem to Augustus’ generation, but it was the Dead Poets Society (1989) that defined the meaning of Carpe Diem for ours.
The aphorism appears in John Keating's (Robin Williams) speech as the rebellious pedagogue who plays by nobody's rules—not even his own. Addressing his class and making them look at photos of former students, he exhorts them to make the most of every moment: "Carpe Diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary."
Carpe Diem's modern meaning is to do something grand and seize the moment—to take that vacation you have always dreamed of, go for that dream job or tell someone how you feel and finally ask them out!
The TikTok generation would understand it as #YOLO (you only live once). And while stripped of the agricultural language that defines most other exhortations to seize the moment, you've at least got to give credit to how concise it is.
These are the ideas that best convey the modern meaning of Carpe Diem, and we have many sayings in English today that convey a similar message; strike while the iron is hot, grab the bull by the horns, time and tide wait for no man, to the more emphatic you only live once.
Today, Carpe diem could be a motto for any of the life-changing possibilities above or used to justify not taking responsibility…… just one more shot of tequila on a school night!
What do Metallica, Dame Judie Dench, and an Australian philosopher all have in common? (No it’s not the beginning of a joke). The answer is that they’ve all given Carpe Diem meaning by translating it into the modern day.
Album cover of Metallica, Reload, which features the track Carpe Diem Baby
Dame Judi Dench reveals her new tattoo to Surrey Life editor, Caroline Harrap (Photo: Andy Newbold)
Cover of Roman Kryznaric’s Carpe Diem Regained
For us, the meaning of Carpe Diem is about making the most of life’s moments, taking chances, and grabbing opportunities. Perhaps being brave or strong enough to do something you really want to, making the most of the moment, and being the best you can be.
That’s why we embrace the meaning of Carpe Diem and why we use it as our name.
Carpe Diem’s co-founder, Russ, giving a tour of Rome’s Palatine Hill
You may only come to Rome once (unless you ensure your return by throwing a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain) and it should be an amazing experience. We’re here to help you make the most of your trip to Rome. Why walk around the city and try and make sense of it alone when you could join one of our expert guides and storytellers who can provide that all-important context.
Why visit the Vatican or Colosseum and miss out on all that context when you could explore it with our guides and nourish yourself with all their knowledge? And why rely on TripAdvisor reviews when choosing where to eat and what to see when you can ask those of us who have been here for years!
So whether that means indulging yourself on a food tour, seizing the chance to meet new people on our Tipsy Tour, embrace the true meaning of Carpe Diem - and make your holiday extraordinary!
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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.
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.**
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.
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!
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.
Nowhere does food like Florence. Voted the best city in the world for local food, the Tuscan capital specialises in hearty meat dishes and full-bodied wines that charm the palates of all who visit. Our Florence Food Tour takes you on a culinary journey through the artisan district of Oltrarno to sample the best of Tuscan cuisine. With a curated menu, planned itinerary, and reserved spots at top local eateries, we take care of the details, so you can relax and savour Florentine cuisine, one delicious bite at a time.
Our tour focuses on the city’s “cucina povera” or “poor cuisine”. But don’t let the name put you off, there’s nothing poor about it. “Cucina povera” refers to the simplicity of the ingredients, all locally sourced and seasonal, to create delicious and filling dishes. After whetting your appetite with crispy schiacciata bread, cold meat and cheese platters, and light, fruity Chianti wine, you’ll be indulging in Florence’s local food culture in a local trattoria.
Your foodie guide will share all their expertise about the history and evolution of this traditional cuisine and introduce you to the most famous dishes in Florence, before finishing with a sweet treat at one of the city’s beloved gelaterie!
Perfect for foodies, travellers, and anyone looking for a unique experience, our Florence Food Tour is packed full of personal stories and insider recommendations. Book now. Spaces fill up fast!
Enjoy Traditional Drinks and Scandalous Stories in the Heart of the Renaissance City.
This isn’t your typical tour. The Tipsy Tour in Florence is the perfect blend of fascinating history, tasty drinks, and making memories with newfound friends. Explore the vibrant nightlife of the Renaissance City and sample signature Italian cocktails, wine, and shots. Along the way you’ll hear about Florence’s less savoury past with some saucy stories and dark history, all the while getting tipsy of course! This tour is all about bringing people together so if alcohol isn’t your thing, not to worry! We’ve got some alcohol-free options for travellers who want the social experience without the hangover.
Your fun-loving guide will wow you with scandals from Florence’s history. Sip away as you learn the life stories of some of Florence’s most notorious figures. The Medici are a great starting point – specifically, Catherine de Medici, believed by many to have had a penchant for poison and a dabble in the dark arts.
As we travel from bar to bar, tracing the steps of prisoners and sex workers alike, your guide will immerse you in the bloody tale of the Pazzi Conspiracy, where Lorenzo de Medici and his entourage were attacked in Florence’s cathedral during High Mass on Easter Sunday. Then you’ll find out what happened to the Pazzi family, too.
Spoiler alert – it was way worse.
During the experience, we’ll visit at least two vibrant bars and enjoy drink stops outside famous sights. Plus, we’ll order shots from a wine window on the street, like a true Florentine. You might wonder why wine from a window never became a worldwide phenomenon, and trust us – we don’t know either.
When the Tipsy Tour is over, the night out officially begins. We’ll enjoy the city long into the night, making unforgettable memories with our Tipsy besties.
Spaces fill up fast, so book your Florence Tipsy Tour today!
Our Trastevere Food Tour just got an upgrade—smaller groups, bigger flavour, and a deeper connection to real Roman food culture. With only 6 people per group, you’ll enjoy personalised attention from your guide and a more intimate experience with fellow food lovers. You’ll savour the best of Trastevere at a relaxed pace, no rushing, no waiting—just excellent food, fast service, and meaningful stories behind every bite.
We’ve also upgraded the menu to include a second course with your choice of a hearty meat or veggie main, made from locally and sustainably sourced, pesticide-free ingredients. You’ll dine at intergenerational, family-run eateries that have been part of the Trastevere community for decades, places where recipes are passed down like heirlooms and “slow food” is a way of life. Oh, and did we mention that you'll also get limoncello? What could be better than that!
Ready for a delectable experience in Rome? Prepare for an unforgettable adventure through one of the city's trendiest (and tastiest!) neighbourhoods, at a perfect pace for everyone in your group.
Please note that the places we visit and the food we try depends on the season. We also have vegetarian options available at every stop!
This is a sustainable tour, meaning part of the profit goes towards reforestation
Summer’s coming! We ask our guests to bring a reusable water bottle to refill along our route to stay hydrated and also help us reduce waste.
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!