EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Admire a lush landscape dotted with historic towns, farms and grand villas. You’ll travel to Lake Albano, situated in the crater of an extinct volcano, and the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo, a pretty village that clusters around the papal palace, where the popes have had their summer residence for centuries. Enjoy a walk in the medieval village and see the exterior of the palace.

Drive through the rolling hills of Rome’s wine growing region and stop at a local farmhouse. You’ll be greeted by a member of the family, who will show you around the property. Mama herself will demonstrate how to make fresh pasta and you may give it a try if you like, before settling down for a homemade Italian lunch, accompanied of course by home produced wines.

After lunch, drive to the heart of Rome, stop to view the exteriors of the Colosseum and a panoramic sightseeing of other highlights of the city. View the exteriors of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and other highlights of the city.

OVERVIEW

See the absolute icons that define Rome and learn about their historical importance by listening to entertaining pre-recorded commentary on your own audio guide. The device is synchronized to each location so as you approach a landmark the wireless audio guide will automatically describe its points of interest in fascinating detail. Besides offering in-depth information, it allows you the freedom to move about at your own pace. You will see highlights such as Palatine Hill – where Rome was founded – the legendary Colosseum and Circus Maximus, an ancient chariot racetrack that was also used for gladiator fights and other barbaric public spectacles. Photo stops have been chosen to showcase attractions in both the foreground and background. For instance, as you stand atop Capitoline Hill, one of the famed seven hills of Rome, the Roman Forum will be seen below. Free time around Trevi Fountain will allow you to dine and shop independently. The final part of the tour will enrich your experience with the view of the Pantheon, Navona Square, S,Angelo’s Castle and St.Peter’s Dome.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the most historically important, must-see landmarks in Rome.
• Hear engaging commentary about each location through your own wireless audio guide.
• See ancient sites such as the Colosseum and icons built centuries later such as Trevi Fountain.
• Enjoy free time to shop and dine on your own.
• Come away with a remarkably in-depth understanding of Rome through the centuries.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Maximize your sightseeing in Rome with an Attraction Pass that includes iconic landmarks such as the Roman Colosseum and the Pantheon. Walking allows you to truly experience Rome as you will be among the locals, see the attractions up close and linger longer at them. You will enjoy a sweeping view of the city from the Spanish Steps, pause at the famed 18th-century Trevi Fountain and visit the ruins of the Roman Forum, a multi-purpose ancient site used for everything from public speeches to religious ceremonies. Gladiatorial matches were held there before the Colosseum was built at the height of the Roman Empire. Few experiences are as enlightening as browsing the interior of this famed Roman amphitheater. Rome is just as renowned for its squares and you will see the most beautiful – St. Peter Square and Piazza Navona–, whose elongated shape reflects its original function as a stadium for athletic events.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Use the Attraction Pass for a guided walking tour that will connect the included attractions for Rome.
• Enjoy admission into the Colosseum which was built in the 1st century AD.
• See iconic landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and Roman Forum.
• Experience Rome on a more personal level by walking from attraction to attraction.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Wear conservative, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Dress appropriately for a religious venue; shoulders and knees must be covered.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

OVERVIEW

Explore the architectural ruins on Palatine Hill, where Rome’s emperors lived for centuries until the fall of the empire. The elliptical Colosseum may well be the most recognizable Roman building from ancient times, and while pausing to snap photos of its exterior you will hear about the amphitheater’s notorious past as a venue for everything from gladiatorial games to public executions. A few steps away, you will find Palatine Hill, home to numerous imperial palaces, the first being the 1st-century Domus Tiberiana. This palace complex includes residential quarters, places of worship and rooms for the guards that protected the emperor. You will also visit the nearby Roman Forum, the center of ancient life in Rome. There, emperors were crowned, elections were held and speeches were given that changed the course of the empire. Following this deep dive into antiquity, you will enjoy free time to shop and dine in Venice Square.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Behold the exterior of the Colosseum, Rome’s iconic and notorious amphitheater.
• Walk among the ruins of the imperial palaces built on the slopes of Palatine Hill.
• Visit the Roman Forum, the center of ancient life in Rome.
• Spend free time shopping and dining on your own in Venice Square.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See icons that define Rome during several transformative time periods and come away with a deeper understanding of Italy’s capital. The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain beautifully represent the Baroque era. If you toss a coin in the fountain – ensuring a return to Rome according to legend – it will be collected later that day and donated to charity. Standing on the terrace overlooking the Roman Forum will offer a perspective of ancient times as this public space was used for events ranging from religious ceremonies to secular spectacles. Similarly, an outside look at the massive Colosseum will add insight, especially through the guide’s enlightening commentary. The amphitheater held as many as 50,000 spectators that come to watch everything from gladiatorial games to public executions. After you behold the Renaissance treasure St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City from the square out front, you will enjoy free time for shopping and independent exploration.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Climb the iconic Spanish Steps and drop a coin in the Trevi Fountain if you wish.
• Behold the famed Roman Forum from the terrace overlooking it.
• Enjoy outside visits of the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica as the guide describes them.
• Spend free time shopping or further exploring landmarks that you find most interesting.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a private piano concert and lunch at a restaurant in Rome and see the Eternal City’s signature attractions on a panoramic tour. Your immersion into all things Roman will begin with an enlightening drive through the capital, during which you will see icons such as the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Circus Maximus, the massive stadium where the Romans once held chariot races. You will then reach a panoramic restaurant in the Centre of the Eternal City, which will be the venue also for a piano concert of Italian classics with an accomplished singer as accompaniment. After the pop-lyric show, head over to the restaurant for an inspired lunch. Each course will be paired with a wine produced in the Tuscan estate of Andrea Bocelli’s family so you'll discover the fine Bocelli Wines of the Bocelli Farmhouse. You will then view even more iconic locations such as St. Peter’s Square and Piazza Navona.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy a private piano concert and singing performance at a restaurant overlooking Rome.
• Savor a four-course lunch accompanied by wines that Andrea Bocelli’s family estate produces.
• Spend hours driving around Rome, admiring the most iconic landmarks.

Enjoy an orientation drive of Rome and have free time to take in the sites of your choice or do some shopping. You’ll drive by landmarks such as Trajan's Column, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum.

After viewing these major sites, you’ll be dropped off at a central location where you’ll have approximately two hours of free time. Your guide will advise you of the pick-up time for your transfer to your Norwegian Cruise Line program hotel or the airport.

Begin your exploration of the 'Eternal City' with an outside visit of the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum – Imperial Rome’s symbol of power. You’ll drive past the Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Marcello Theatre, and Circo Massimo to the Trevi Fountain.

You’ll have some free time for lunch before rejoining your coach to head towards St. Peter's Square. Here you’ll visit the Basilica, which can hold up to 300,000 people. After your visit, you’ll be transferred to your Norwegian Cruise Line program hotel or the airport for your departure.