Alexander Meddings
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Flexible TravelSteven Zaillian’s neo-noir thriller series Ripley has taken the Internet by storm, earning widespread critical acclaim and cementing Andrew Scott’s reputation as a formidably talented actor.
Despite being shot almost entirely in black-and-white, Ripley is one of the most aesthetically stunning series in recent years. Even its opening shots on the New York subway wouldn’t look out of place among an art-house coffee-table photography book. And while it was filmed across more than 200 locations in Italy — from the sleepy square of Atrani and grubby alleyways of Palermo to the shimmering canals of Venice — few cities fare better than Rome.
Here is where Ripley was filmed in Rome.
**Spoiler warning: this article contains information related to the plot of Netflix's Ripley**
Tom Ripley first arrives into Roma Termini, the city’s main train station. Production designer David Gropman has done a fantastic job in recreating today’s station, but you might be surprised to learn that no actual train station was used in filming this series. Instead, Gropman built a composite in a hall in the southern district of EUR (the Esposizione Universale Roma).
This scene was not shot in Termini Station but in a purpose-built hall in EUR. Image credit: Netflix
Ripley then takes a taxi to the Hotel Excelsior, a five-star hotel situated at the top of the Spanish Steps. While Rome does have a Westin Excelsior a little further north on the Via Veneto, none of the filming took place here, as Gropman shared with Condé Nast. “We shot the exterior at the Hassler Roma and we shot the interior at The Plaza [in New York City.]
Lobby of Rome’s Hotel Excelsior. This interior actually comes from the NY Plaza. Image credit: Netflix
Some of the magnificent interior, including the lion staircase, comes from Rome’s Grand Hotel Plaza – a five-star hotel on the Via del Corso. The suites belonging to Freddie, Dickie’s friend and Tom’s rival, were shot at Rome’s 16th-century Palazzo Ruspoli.
The exterior of the Hotel Bolivar (a real four-star hotel), which Tom checks into under Dickie’s name once Marge manages to track him down, was filmed onsite and is located in an alley above Via delle Tre Cannelle (the Street of the Three Taps) on the Quirinal Hill.
Via delle Tre Cannelle on the Quirinal Hill. Image credit: Netflix
This hotel had a different name in the original script. But the picturesque four-nosed fountain and staircase leading up to it convinced the producers to feature it instead. Its rooms, however, were shot at a house in Rome.
The bank that Tom Ripley visits in Rome was filmed at the Salone delle Fontane in the EUR district to the south of the city. Designed in the 1930s, during the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, the Esposizione Universale Roma was built to host a Universal Exhibition. However, with the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, this universal exhibition never took place.
The Banca della Repubblica, filmed in EUR’s Salone delle Fontane. Image credit: Netflix
EUR’s architecture is characterized by its rationalist style, with wide boulevards, towering buildings, and monumental squares. Perhaps its most famous monument is the so-called Colosseo Quadrato (Square Colosseum) which is now the headquarters of the Italian fashion brand Fendi.
The scene in which Tom Ripley stumbles upon the Temple of Hadrian shows the quintessence of la dolce vita in 1950s Italy, with beautiful, elegantly dressed people sitting around tables and watching the world go by.
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Tom Ripley walks towards the Temple of Hadrian in Piazza della Pietra. Image credit: Netflix
The square in question is Piazza di Pietra (the Stone Square), and the most conspicuous stone monument that runs alongside it is the second-century CE Temple of Hadrian.
See this temple and more on our Rome Walking Tour
Originally dedicated to the deceased emperor by Hadrian’s successor Antoninus Pius, since 1831, this temple has been home to the Rome Stock Exchange.
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Tom Ripley reads the paper outside the Temple of Hadrian. Image credit: Netflix
While immersing himself in Rome’s artistic patrimony, Tom pays a visit to the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi (Saint Louis of the French). Built in the sixteenth century, the church is one of several in Rome that bears strong links to the French community, since it was dedicated to their patron saints.
The Caravaggio-Cycle in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. Image credit: Netflix
Its most famous feature is the Caravaggio cycle, depicting three moments in the life of Saint Matthew, where a passing priest’s comment (“it’s always the light”) inspires Tom’s final deception of Inspector Galvini. However, the church's interior, as featured in the series, was shot in the Neapolitan church of Santa Maria la Nova.
The next place Tom visits on his artistic itinerary through Rome is the Borghese Gallery at the centre of Villa Borghese Park. This seventeenth-century gallery contains the personal collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, and is without a doubt is home to one of Rome’s most impressive collections.
Tom Ripley stares at a Caravaggio painting inside the Borghese Gallery, with his back to Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne statue. Image credit: Netflix
As well as a collection of famous statues by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Galleria Borghese is home to several famous works by the Italian Baroque artist Caravaggio. The painting that first occupies Tom’s attention is David with the Head of Goliath (1610), which is believed to be a self-portrait of Caravaggio as a young man and as an adult (a shady historical figure whose similarities to Tom Ripley are alluded to throughout the series).
However, this scene was filmed in the similarly ancient (but far less visited) Palazzo Taverna in the center of Rome, with a copy of Bernini's statue of Apollo and Daphne.
Treat Yourself to a VIP Tour of the Borghese Gallery
While walking around Rome at night, Tom Ripley crosses over the River Tiber on Ponte Sant'Angelo. The building to his back is Castel Sant'Angelo, an imposing fortification which has served several purposes throughout the centuries.
Castel Sant’Angelo, as seen from Sant’Angelo Bridge. Image credit: Netflix
Originally constructed as the dynastic mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian (reigned 117 - 138 CE), Castel Sant'Angelo was subsequently transformed into a papal fortress, a place of execution and the city's most formidable prison. Now Castel Sant'Angelo is a municipal museum, showcasing underwhelming exhibits but a nonetheless impressive interior.
Largo Magnanapoli
En route to the Via Appia, Tom Ripley drives past Largo Magnanapoli on the Quirinal Hill. At the middle of this roundabout stand some of the oldest surviving remnants of Rome’s Servian Walls.
Tom drives past the roundabout of Largo Magnanapoli in Rome. Image credit: Netflix
Dating to the 4th century BC, these tufa blocks formed part of a monumental ancient gate: the Porta Sanqualis. Looking at them now, we're not sure what’s more impressive: that they’ve survived millennia of sieges, raids and urban development or that they’ve withstood a century or so of awful Roman driving.
The next monument Tom Ripley drives past is the known variably as the Vittoriano or the Altar of the Fatherland. Dating to the second half of the nineteenth century, the monument commemorates the Unification of Italy and the first king of united Italy – Victor Emmanuelle II.
Tom drives past the Altar of the Fatherland (Vittoriano) monument in Rome. Image credit: Netflix
The roundabout in the foreground is situated at the centre of Piazza Venezia, a monumental square that derives its name from the palace at its far end. This palace, Palazzo Venezia, was constructed in the fifteenth century by the Venetian cardinal Pietro Barbo (who became Pope Paul II) before being donated to the Venetian Republic by Pope Pius VI.
In more recent history, Palazzo Venezia was chosen as the headquarters of Benito Mussolini.
The mounment Tom Ripley passes after driving around Piazza Venezia is a first-century BC structure known as the Theatre of Marcellus.
Tom drives past the Theatre of Marcellus at the foot of Rome’s Capitoline Hill. Image credit: Netflix
Built during the reign of Augustus, on land cleared his adoptive father Julius Caesar, this theatre would have been dedicated by Marcus Marcellus, Augustus’s nephew and possible heir, had Marcellus not died in 23 BC, succumbing to what was probably a plague. We know that the theatre was finished by 17 BC because it hosted the Secular Games—a tradition revived by Augustus in which every passing century was celebrated with sacrifices, poetic recitals, and theatrical performances. But the theatre wasn’t officially dedicated until a few years later.
The Theatre of Marcellus would have stood at a total height of over 32 metres (12 more than its present height). The best estimates set its seating capacity at 15,000 (or 20,000 at a push); a figure pretty much in line with what our ancient sources tell us. All you can see from the outside is the cavea, but beyond the façade are its internal corridors (partially built of tufa ashlars), concrete vaults, and inner segment.
Not too long ago, the apartments above the theatre were up for sale for a cool £26 million.
Tom Ripley drives through Porta San Sebastiano (Saint Sebastian Gate) on his way to the Via Appia.
Tom Ripley drives through Porta San Sebastiano on his way to the Via Appia Antica. Image credit: Netflix
Known in antiquity as the Porta Appia (Appian Gate), this is the southernmost gate in the city walls that leads on to the Via Appia. The Porta Appia couldn’t escape the Christianisation of Roman place names, however, and by the second half of the fifteenth century it was more commonly known as Porta San Sebastiano because of its proximity to the eponymous basilica and catacombs nearby.
Between 1942 and 1943, the interior of Porta San Sebastiano was renovated to become the residence of the Fascist Party’s secretary, Ettore Muti. Furnished with resplendent imported mosaics, the portcullis chamber, Muti’s former abode and the towers that flank now serve as the Museo delle Mura.
The Via Appia Antica (Old Appian Way) is one of the most memorable and evocative set locations from series since it is the place where Tom decides to dump Freddie’s body.
Tom Ripley leaves Freddie’s body in his car on the Via Appia Antica. Image credit: Netflix
Somewhat ironically, the Via Appia has always borne a close association with death, since it was only outside the ancient city walls that the Romans were allowed to bury their dead. Several catacombs line the way, together with mausoleums, tumuli, and the remains of imperial-era villa complexes.
Walking or cycling down the Via Appia is one of the most rewarding things to do in Rome. If you're visiting, make sure to set a morning or afternoon aside to explore the catacombs, imperial villas, and mauseoleums that line its tree-lined ancient cobblestones.
Visit the Appia with a Specialist Guide
The place from which Tom Ripley hails a taxi after leaving Freddie's body on the Via Appia is the Casale di Roma Vecchia (Farmstead of Old Rome).
Tom Ripley hails a taxi from Casale di Roma in the Park of the Aqueducts. Image credit: Netflix
Originally part of the second-century CE Villa of the Quintili, an enormous private residence that spanned some 130 hectares, this farmstead is architecturally speaking a proper Picasso of a building, made up of peperino masonry alternating with flint and marble flakes. Its structure has changed significantly over the years, as has its ownership by successive aristocratic families.
Towards the end of his night from hell, Ripley walks alongside the Aqua Claudia (Claudian Aqueduct) — one of six aqueducts whose remains can be found in Rome's Aqueduct Park.
Tom Ripley walks along the Claudian Aqueduct at the end of an eventful night. Image credit: Netflix
This first-century CE aqueduct ran 43 miles from its source near the River Anio to the city of Rome, and inundated the city with around 184,000 cubic metres of water per day (184 million litres or 48 million gallons).
Visit the Aqueduct Park with an Oxford Historian
The scene that opens the final episode, in which police discover the body of Caravaggio’s victim, was shot at the the Scalinata dei Borgia stairs in the neighbourhood of Monti.
Scalinata dei Borgi, where the body of Caravaggio’s victim is found. Image credit: Netflix
Known throughout antiquity and the Middle Ages as the "Vicus Scelleratus" or "Cursed Way", legend has it that it was the site of the murder of the infamous enemies of the Borgia family. Nowadays, Monti is best known as one of the centres of Rome’s nightlife.
At the top of these stairs, you’ll find the Basilica of Saint Paul in Chains, home to Michelangelo’s masterful Moses statue. At the bottom is Finnegan’s Irish Pub, a great place for a Guinness or to catch the latest match.
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Explore the wonders of the Eternal City on our best 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 private 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.
We will start at Trajan’s Column, which portrays the bloody victory of the emperor during the Dacian wars in Eastern Europe. We’ll then head to the Piazza Venezia, the crossroads between the ancient city and the modern capital and one of the most scenic squares in Italy!
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.
After discovering the incredible frescoes within the church of Sant Ignazio, we’ll 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!
Your private walking tour of Rome finishes at Piazza Navona. 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.
This 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.
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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!
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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.
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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-and-a-half-hour 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 in which you feast on what you’ve made.
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 flavors 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 selection of red or white wines and soft drinks.
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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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!
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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!
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Although our Rome Golf Cart tour follows a tried-and-tested itinerary, upon special request it can be 100% customisable—so you can hone in on the attractions that interest you most.
Forget the fatigue of traipsing around the Eternal City. This tour saves you time and energy as you see all the capital’s must-see sites in half the time. Jump aboard your horseless chariot and let us chauffeur you around Rome in comfort and convenience. Enjoy exclusive access to traffic-limited areas, and enjoy hopping on and off your golf cart straight at the foot of your attraction of choice.
Visit the stunning Trevi Fountain, immortalized in Fellini’s classic film La Dolce Vita, and throw a coin over your shoulder to ensure your return to Rome! Admire the tumbling terraces and balustrades of the famous Spanish Steps, and discover what exactly it is that makes the monument Spanish!
Gaze up in awe at the Pantheon, Rome’s best-preserved ancient temple, and learn the fascinating history of how it was founded and how it has fared. Drive to the foot of Piazza Navona, Italy’s most stunning square, which was built above an ancient structure your guide will bring to life.
Your Rome Golf Cart tour takes you up the Aventine Hill, where Romulus’ brother Remus tried—but failed—to found his city. Pass by the Orange Garden, stopping off to enjoy its views, and check out the famous Keyhole View over Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Territory of the Order of the Knights of Malta.
Stop off at the famous Mouth of Truth situated right by the River Tiber in the area where Rome was founded. This stunning stretch of road around the most ancient part of the Eternal City also takes us past the Theatre of Marcellus (a building started by Julius Caesar and finished by the emperor Augustus) and the impressive Capitoline Hill.
You can choose where your tour finishes: in Rome’s centre, at your hotel, or wherever you want to explore next! If you’d like to visit the Colosseum, Castel Sant’Angelo or the Vatican on your Golf Cart Tour of Rome, we can also arrange for this, depending the time and location of your departure or finish point.
For all special requests, please contact us directly.
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Relax the right way after a long day of sightseeing with our Spritz and Spaghetti Class. This fun-filled class teaches you all the know-how you need to mix traditional Italian cocktails and perfect the art of making fresh pasta. It’s the only experience 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!
We’ll welcome your private party with a mixology demo of how to make 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. But that’s not all! We’ll also be making Hugo Spritz and satisfying your sweet tooth with a glass of Limoncello.
Your professional chef will guide you every step of the way – from kneading the dough to running it through a traditional pasta machine. 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). At the end of the class, you’ll dine on what you’ve made with a selection of wine or soft drinks!
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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!
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Feed your curiosity while pleasing your palate on this indulgent Rome Food Tour! This fun (and filling) food tour gives you and a small group of others insider access to Rome’s best delicatessens, pizzerias and restaurants as well as Rome’s tastiest traditional food the locals keep to themselves.
Our Rome food tour takes place in Trastevere, Rome’s most traditional medieval neighbourhood. The area is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and fantastic eateries with delightful aromas spilling out of them. However, it’s also known to have its fair share of tourists traps! Our team of expert foodies invite you, and your tastebuds, to try some of the finest flavours in the city! Vacations are too short to eat bad food, right?
During the experience, we will try at least 10 different tastings together with a selection of local wines. However, this experience is more than just simply trying different local foods while sipping on red wine. This is a journey inside the Roman kitchen—discovering the delicacies, the diet and the cultural dos and don’ts.
Not only will you experience the mouthwatering flavours of Rome, but 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 depends on the season.
This is a sustainable tour, meaning part of its profits goes 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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People made a pilgrimage from all over the world to visit the spiritual home of Catholicism. Unfortunately, this means that getting into the Vatican is by no means easy. With our priority entrance, you’ll be able to skip the hours of waiting in line and walk right into one of the most historically rich places in the world.
Your private tour starts with the Vatican Museums. Don’t be overwhelmed by the never-ending rooms or twisting corridors – we’ll guide you through some of the thousands of rooms without missing their deepest secrets. Our route includes the Hall of Maps, the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Candelabra, The Raphael Rooms and much more. Your friendly expert guide will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
After our trip through the museums, you’ll make your way into the Sistine Chapel, one of the most fabled historical sites in the world. The Sistine Chapel houses the timeless masterpiece crafted by none other than Michelangelo himself. Marvel at the Last Judgement in all its glory.
The pace of this private tour is comfortable and can be adapted to suit you. It also includes all ticket prices for the areas that we’ll be visiting during our trip. Book your spot now to make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to visit one of the most sacred spaces on Earth!
5(132)
Home to Rome’s most impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings and sculpture, the Borghese Gallery is a must-visit for all art lovers. The 17th-century villa is an artwork in itself, furnished with frescoes by the Florentine-trained artist Ludovico Cigoli and situated in the midst of a vast landscaped garden. But the artworks it contains are unrivalled in Rome, featuring sculptures and paintings by the likes of Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Canova.
Tickets to the Borghese Gallery are had to find – and for good reason. Everyone wants to step inside, but few get the chance. Book your tour of the Borghese Gallery today and you can be among the lucky few. Simply turn up on time, and we’ll take care of the rest.
After meeting the rest of the tour group in the lush surroundings of Villa Borghese park, you and your expert art-historian guide will make your way into the gallery. This 17th-century villa is home to countless works of priceless art and is named after a passionate and wealthy cardinal, Scipione Borghese.
As an art enthusiast and nephew to the Pope himself, Borghese was known for going above and beyond to make sure he could own and display the masterpieces that caught his eye. You’ll have the chance to learn everything there is to know about the Cardinal, from how he hosted extravagant parties to the infamous threats he made to artists worldwide in an attempt to take their art for his own.
Unlike some of the other museums in Rome, the Borghese Gallery only allows a certain number of visitors at a time. Not only does that make for a more exclusive experience, but it also gives you the peace and quiet you need to really absorb the sheer beauty of its art.
Bernini’s sculpture of Apollo and Daphne and Raphael’s sensual depiction of La Fornarina are just a few of the masterpieces you’ll have the honour of seeing during this leisurely, private tour.
Book your spot now to avoid disappointment, skip the lines, and immerse in Roman history with Carpe Diem.
5(270)
Experience the Vatican like never before with an exclusive private tour, designed for those who want a deeper, more intimate journey through history, faith, and art. With a personal guide, explore the Vatican’s most breathtaking landmarks at your own pace, without the distractions of a larger group.
2025 marks the Holy Year of Jubilee, a once-in-50-years event that makes this the perfect time to visit. Your expert guide will tailor the experience to your interests as you follow in the footsteps of pilgrims who have come to Rome seeking spiritual enlightenment for centuries.
Marvel at the grandeur of Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, stroll through the iconic Piazza Navona, and uncover the secrets of Castel Sant’Angelo, once a fortress, papal refuge, and prison. Throughout the tour, you’ll gain a profound understanding of how faith and power have shaped Rome’s history.
Your journey concludes at Piazza Pia, offering a stunning view of Saint Peter’s Basilica and its Holy Door, a sacred gateway opened only during the Jubilee. From here, you decide what comes next—step through the Holy Door, explore St. Peter’s Basilica, or take a moment to reflect on the timeless legacy of Catholicism.
Whether you seek a spiritual experience or simply a deeper dive into the Vatican’s incredible past, this private tour offers an unparalleled way to witness the Eternal City.
5(202)
Take your Roman adventure to the next level with our semi-private tour of the Ancient City! With a small group of just 6 people, you’ll enjoy more personal attention from your guide as you explore the legendary Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. This means more chances to ask questions, deeper dives into history, and the opportunity to truly engage with both your guide and your fellow explorers.
What are the holes that pockmark the ancient amphitheatre? Why is one side shorter than the other? And how much do we really know about the gladiators—and even emperors—who battled on the arena sands? (We promise the answers will surprise you!)
After exploring the Colosseum, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill to discover the birthplace of the ancient city. Here, your storyteller guide will recount the mythical foundation of Rome, the legend of Romulus and Remus, and the stories of the emperors who resided on the Palatine, like Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula. Next, we’ll explore the ruins of some of the most luxurious palaces in Roman history, the emperor’s residences on the Palatine Hill, from which we get our word ‘palace.’
Last but not least, we’ll head into the Roman Forum, the heart of the ancient city. Discover what life was really like for everyday Romans as we explore the social, religious, and political hub of the Roman Empire. Marvel at the remains of towering temples, triumphal arches, sprawling basilicas, and the ancient senate house as you walk on the very same stones that the likes of Caesar and Cicero once did.
Prepare for a unique, unforgettable journey through Rome’s most famous landmarks with a small, friendly group that lets you explore at your own pace.
5(452)
Most of history’s great artists enjoyed a drink or two; just look at Van Gogh’s Starry Night and tell us that’s how the sky looks. Now you can unleash your inner Leonardo with unlimited wine in our Tipsy Art Class. Join a small group of fellow budding artists to recreate iconic Roman monuments and landscapes that will rival the works of Michelangelo. If he was blind drunk, and not even trying.
Our local arts instructor will guide you through the techniques that made the Great Masters great while you fill yourself with the spirit that inspired them. During the course of 3 fun-filled hours, you and your fellow artists will indulge in unlimited wine and savour platters of snacks while making your masterpiece. The best part? You get to take your canvas home with you–unless you overdo it on the vino, in which case we have plenty of space in the bins)!
Ready to get merry with Michelangelo? Create a one-of-a-kind souvenir and bring a piece of Rome back home.
4.94(1345)
Channel your inner-Maximus as you emerge onto the Colosseum arena floor, enjoying exclusive access to this newly reopened section of the world most famous amphitheatre. Don’t settle for half-measures on your Roman holiday. Seize the moment—carpe diem—and treat yourself to an immersive tour of ancient Rome with a private expert guide!
Unlike most other tours, this private tour gets you straight inside the Colosseum and out onto the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate. This is the route Rome’s gladiators took almost 2,000 years ago. Imagine the scene of them being greeted by the cheers and jeers of 50,000 spectators.
Your expert private guide will transport you back in time to the height of the Roman Empire when Nero’s Golden Palace fell and the Colosseum was constructed in its place. 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.
Next, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill, where Romulus founded the city. 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, the houses of Augustus and Livia, and the Imperial Palace, where the emperors in their family engaged in ruling, politicking, and scheming.
The final destination on your private 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, here where two disgraced emperors were murdered in 69 AD, and here where Cicero delivered the speeches that shaped western culture for centuries.
At the end of your private tour, feel free to stay and explore the Forum at your own pace.
4.96(1256)
Join our expert guide in an adventure through ancient Rome. No Rome trip would be complete without exploring the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum — the three most immersive sites of the world’s mightiest ancient empire. So what can you expect from our Colosseum guided tour?
Our most complete three-hour tour of ancient Rome starts at the Colosseum, which you’ll step straight inside with your timed entry tickets. Your expert guide will help you uncover the mysteries and histories of the Colosseum and follow in the footsteps of the ancients. Any question you can think of, they’ve got the answer – so ask away!
What are the holes that pockmark the ancient amphitheatre? Why is one side shorter than the other? And how much do we really know about the gladiators—and even emperors—who battled on the arena sands? (We promise the answers will surprise you!)
After exploring the Colosseum, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill to discover the birthplace of the ancient city. Here, your storyteller guide will recount the mythical foundation of Rome, the legend of Romulus and Remus, and the stories of the emperors who resided on the Palatine, like Augustus, Tiberius, and Caligula. Next, we’ll explore the ruins of some of the most luxurious palaces in Roman history, the emperor’s residences on the Palatine Hill, from which we get our word ‘palace.’
Last but not least, we’ll head into the Roman Forum, the heart of the ancient city. Discover what life was really like for everyday Romans as we explore the social, religious, and political hub of the Roman Empire. Marvel at the remains of towering temples, triumphal arches, sprawling basilicas, and the ancient senate house as you walk on the very same stones that the likes of Caesar and Cicero once did.
This is one of our most popular tours, so be sure to book your slot ASAP!
4.96(2727)
Master the art of authentic Italian cooking through this private cooking class! The generational tradition of extended mealtimes will be stretched across three-and-a-half fun-filled hours, culminating in a well-deserved dinner in which you feast on your recipes.
Your private class will give you the true sense of an Italian nonna’s loving kitchen. Led by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable English-speaking chef, our centrally situated 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”!
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to knead, roll, and shape your fresh pasta from scratch. After running your pasta dough through a traditional pasta machine, you’ll get to combine your carefully crafted creations with the flavors of the season and locality; be it twangy cacio e pepe, creamy carbonara, or saucy amatriciana.
How else to conclude your cooking class than by indulging yourself in your culinary creations! Celebrate your accomplishment with family-friendly company, a gorgeous setting, and a selection of red or white wines and soft drinks.
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!
5(849)
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, during which we’ll also be making two other drink.
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 in the fun, tipsy company of your new foodie friends.
Book now and start making memories.
5(3841)
Why is Rome home to the country’s most tight-knit and deep-rooted Jewish community? What’s so special about Trastevere, and why does everyone recommend visiting? Seize the day with Carpe Diem, and we’ll answer all your questions on this exclusive tour of the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere.
Rome’s Jewish community has been rooted here for thousands of years, even pre-dating the time of Julius Caesar. Through its ancient, medieval, and modern wonders – from the Theatre of Marcellus to the Great Synagogue – Rome’s Jewish Ghetto tells a fascinating story of segregation, persecution and resilience. To truly understand the city of Rome, you need to know how its various communities intersected with each other and how the City of the Caesars became the Rome of the Popes and then the Italian capital.
This tour fully immerses you in the history of the Jewish Ghetto. Discover the 1st-century remains of the Theatre of Marcellus and Portico of Octavia, the sister of the emperor Augustus. Experience the tight-knit community of Rome’s Jewish population, all centred around Ghetto’s Great Synagogue, Tempio Maggiore. And trace the outlines of the Ghetto’s medieval walls, which kept thousands of Jews in inhuman conditions until the Ghetto’s abolition in the 19th century.
After uncovering the secrets of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, your expert, fluent guide will lead you across the River Tiber and into the artisan district of Trastevere. Your journey across the river takes you across the city’s oldest bridge, the Ponte Fabricio, which has connected the eastern bank of the city to Tiber Island since 62 BC.
As we explore Trastevere, your guide will lead you through the picture-perfect cobbled streets of this traditional medieval neighbourhood. Snap your photos and take your time to admire the unique architecture of this authentic neighbourhood (and hub of Roman nightlife).
Our final stop in Trastevere is Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches still standing in Rome. Incorporating columns retrieved from the nearby imperial Baths of Caracalla, this church is a masterpiece in Roman ingenuity and recycling. Here, you will have more than enough time to ask your expert guide everything you’d like to know about this ancient work of architectural and historical beauty.
5(75)
Tired of big-group tours that move from one attraction to the other before you’ve even had the chance to understand what your seeing?
This is the Vatican Tour for you.
Our VIP Vatican tour offers a more personal, intimate experience that doesn’t compromise on anything. See it all, learn it all, and feel it all.
With a maximum group size of 12, you can guarantee you’ll have more than enough time and privacy to soak up the stunning artworks and fascinating history of the Vatican City.
Our tour starts at the Vatican Museums, where more than four millennia’s rich history resides. Worried about getting lost in the labyrinth of corridors and galleries? Don’t be. Gain real-world insight into the stunning wonders of the museum’s 1000+ rooms thanks to the help of your friendly, expert guide. They’ll be excited to answer as many questions that you could possibly come up with, so feel free to ask away.
Afterwards, we’ll head over to the Pope’s private place of prayer, the Sistine Chapel. Home to two of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, The Last Judgement and its famous ceiling, the Sistine Chapel is just as awe-inspiring today as when it was unveiled in the 1500s. Marvel at world famous frescoes and discover how Popes are elected, here in this very room.
Our VIP Vatican tour runs at a comfortable, leisurely pace and includes all ticket prices for the different sites and areas we’ll be visiting. Remember, our VIP tours only accommodate a maximum of 12 people at a time, which means that spots fill up fast.
Book your VIP Vatican Tour now to avoid disappointment!
5(245)
