Rome - Location Guide
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ROME - LOCATION GUIDE Exceptional Tours Expertly Delivered Our location guide offers you information on the range of visits available in Rome. All visits are selected with your subject and the curriculum in mind, along with the most popular choices for sightseeing, culture and leisure in the area. The information in your location guide has been provided by our partners in Rome who have expert on the ground knowledge of the area, combined with advice from education professionals so that the visits and information recommended are the most relevant to meet your learning objectives. Making Life Easier for You This location guide is not a catalogue of opening times. Our Tour Experts will design your itinerary with opening times and location in mind so that you can really maximise your time on tour. Our location guides are designed to give you the information that you really need, including what are the highlights of the visit, location, suitability and educational resources. We’ll give you top tips like when is the best time to go, dress code and extra local knowledge. Peace of Mind So that you don’t need to carry additional money around with you we will state in your initial quote letter, which visits are included within your inclusive tour price and if there is anything that can’t be pre-paid we will advise you of the entrance fees so that you know how much money to take along. You also have the added reassurance that, WST is a member of the STF and our featured visits are all covered as part of our externally verified Safety Management System. ST PETER’S BASILICA World famous church and the burial site of St Peter. This is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic sites. The tomb of John Paul II is located in the grottoes below the floor of the Basilica and can be visited by the public, although there can be large crowds there. Top Tip: A self-guided visit is recommended here and pre-booking is not necessary. Audio guides can be rented if preferred. Visitors must adhere to a strict dress code of no shorts, mini-skirts, or bare shoulders. We advise mobile phones are switched off or on silent. Seeing the Pope: If you are visiting on a Sunday, the Pope appears at noon at the second window from the right of the Apostolic Palace, to pray. If you are visiting on a Wednesday, you can attend the Wednesday General Audience held in St Peter’s Square. This is all provided he is in town. Tickets are required. Location: Vatican City Metro : Ottaviano Website: http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/monumenti/basilica-di-s- pietro.html VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL The Vatican Museums occupy part of the palaces built by the Pope and is home to one of the most extensive art collections in the world. The world’s most famous chapel, the Sistine Chapel is housed within the Vatican Museums, where you will see the infamous frescoes by Michaelangelo. Top Tip: We advise renting audio guides here. Noise must be kept to a minimum in the Sistine Chapel and visitors are reminded of this by staff if they are deemed too noisy. No photography or filming is allowed in the Sistine Chapel. Mobile phones must be switched off. Location: Vatican City Metro : Ottaviano Website: mv.vatican.va This website address must by hand typed in to the web address tool bar. THE COLOSSEUM This is considered to be one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and is the largest amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire. Top Tip : Audio guides can be rented here although we recommend you take a guided tour which will bring the ruins to life for you. Location: The Ancient City Metro: Colosseo Website: http://www.the-colosseum.net/idx-en.htm ROMAN FORUM This was once the heart of Ancient Rome and the centre of public life. It is the site of public speeches, trials and commercial transactions. Top Tip: Audio guides can be rented here although we recommend you take a guided tour which will bring the ruins to life for you. In the summer months you will find very little shade here so please take plenty water, sun hats and sun cream. Location: The Ancient City Metro: Colosseo Website: www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/colosseum.htm PALATINE HILL According to Roman mythology this is where Rome was founded. Ideally located looking down on to the Roman Forum, this became the home of several Roman Emperors. Top Tip: We recommend you visit Palatine Hill in conjunction with your visit to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum Location: The Ancient City Metro: Colosseo Website: www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/colosseum.htm THE PANTHEON A magnificent ancient temple that was later converted to a church. Dating from AD125 it is the most superb architectural monument to have survived intact from Ancient Rome. Raphael is buried here. Top Tip: We recommend appropriate dress code of no shorts, mini skirts, or bare shoulders. The Pantheon is free to visitors and pre-booking is not necessary. Location: Central Rome Metro: Piazza di Spagna Website: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-pantheon CULTURAL VISITS SPANISH STEPS The famous steps where locals and tourists alike congregate to people watch and soak up the atmosphere. The Spanish Steps are close to Via del Corso, one of the well known high end shopping streets of Rome, so window shopping in the many designer shops is a popular pastime. Top Tip: The Spanish Steps are a popular place to visit in the evenings, with café’s and ice cream parlours nearby. It can get busy so keep together in small groups. Location: Central Rome Metro: Piazza di Spagna TREVI FOUNTAIN A must see- this is one of the most famous fountains in the world. The Trevi Fountain is located close to the Pantheon so many people choose to visit both together. Top Tip: The Trevi Fountain is lit up at night so it's fine to visit in the evening too. Location: Central Rome Metro: Piazza di Spagna KEATS-SHELLEY MEMORIAL HOUSE Located on the Spanish Steps, this is the final home of John Keats. It contains an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture and manuscripts which celebrate the lives of Keats, Shelley and Byron. Top Tip: Audio guides are available and please note this museum is closed on Sundays Location: Central Rome Metro: Piazza di Spagna Website: http://www.keats-shelley-house.org/ GUIDED TOURS OF ROME We can arrange guided walking tours for half or full days around the city, which can be tailor made to your preferred visits. Popular themes include: Ancient Rome Modern Rome’s Squares Vatican City Rome by Night – illuminated tour This night time tour will last approx. 2 hours on board a coach and will take in key sites: Piazza Venezia, Capitoline Hill, Jewish Quarter, Castel Sant‘Angelo, St Peter’s Basilica, Ancient Aurelian Walls framing Villa Borghese Park. Top Tip: On a walking tour make sure you are all wearing appropriate footwear, sunscreen and carry plenty of water. If you would like to include a refreshment stop in your walking tour, let us know and if possible we will pre-arrange it with your guide. TIME ELEVATOR - 5D EXPERIENCE You will experience a simulated ride where you will travel through the rich history of Rome. Starting with its foundation, through the glorious days of the ancient Roman Empire, the Renaissance with its masterpieces of architecture and art, the events of the 20th century, culminating in an aerial flight over the Rome of today. Top Tip: This is a great way to entertain your students in the evening before your evening meal. It’s located close to Hard Rock Café and the Spanish Steps. ART GALLERIES OF ROME: Galleria Borghese - contains many masterpieces of Gian Lorenzo Bernini and paintings by Raphael. Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna - neo-classical and romantic paintings and sculptures. Capitoline Museum - Home to important ancient bronzes, ancient Roman statues, a collection of medieval and renaissance art, as well as jewels, coins and other artefacts. Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica - examples of frescos and art Rome’s great families. Galleria Spada - Rubens, Durer and Caravaggio FREE TIME Most people choose to spend their free time in Rome either visiting the shops or relaxing in one of the many squares where you can pick up a coffee or an ice-cream and soak up the culture of the city. Here are some of the most popular areas. Shopping: Via Del Corso Via Frattina Via Nazionale Termini Top Tip: Shops in Rome are generally open from 9.00 – 13.00 and 15.30 – 19.00 Squares: Piazza Navona Piazza Venezia Campo dei Fiore Piazza di Spagna Top Tip: Many groups choose to spend their evenings here in the summer when there are many street performers and activities going on. Be aware that these squares can get busy so keep your students together in small groups. RESTAURANTS Most hotels in Rome operate on a B&B basis only. We can arrange evening meals in restaurants in the city with options to suit all tastes. The most popular choices are Hard Rock Café, traditional Italian Trattoria or self-service style buffet restaurants if you are in a hurry. Ask us for more details. .