Civitavecchia

Churches & Cathedrals

Start the tour at Civitavecchia Harbor where you will be picked up. Embark on a small group tour in and arrive at the Vatican Museums and meet your tour guide. Take advantage of your exclusive skip-the-line access tickets, entering the museums through a panoramic terrace where you can admire the stunning view of Saint Peter's dome overlooking the Vatican gardens.  Begin your tour of the collections which include a seemingly infinite number of masterpieces by Bernini, Raphael, Botticelli, Perugino, and other treasures - all incredibly united under one roof. Learn about how the numerous popes that have lived in the Vatican continuously enriched it with different artworks.  Admire the most beautiful Roman ancient statues and gaze in awe at the length of the enormous Tapestry Hall, before continuing on through the Hall of the Painted Maps. Finally, witness the unmissable ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and marvel at the sublime 'Last Judgment' by Michelangelo.

Travel back to the days of the Etruscans on a full-day shore excursion by private minivan from Civitavecchia. First, transfer to Tarquinia in the province of Viterbo to explore one of the oldest cities of the Etruscan League. Here, a local guide will take you the Necropolis of Monterozzi where some of the 6,000 Etruscan tombs date back to the 7th century BCE. Marvel at chambers carved in rock, erotic frescoes, and mythical scenes of banquets, horse racing, demons and more. Next, stroll the medieval walls of Tarquinia, and go to the romantic 12th-century Church of Santa Maria in Castello. Take in panoramic views of Tuscany and the Tyrrhenian Sea before driving to the seaside for lunch. Enjoy a bracing walk in the Natural Reserve, looking out for flamingos and migratory birds. Transfer to Tuscania, a major trading city during the age of the Etruscans, and one of the first bishopric seats in Italy. Go to the Lateran church of Saint Peter, and the finely decorated church of Santa Maria Maggiore. See ancient sarcophagi at the Etruscan Museum. Then, marvel at the medieval Tower of Lavello, and the fountain of Fontana delle Sette Cannelle. Although one day is not enough to solve the mysteries of the Lords of the Sea, by the time you transfer back to Civitavecchia you will have a good idea how the Etruscan civilization influenced the Ancient Romans.

Join this private tour of Rome by minivan led by an English-speaking driver/ guide. Pick-up from the ship will be at 08:30 (or the time you prefer, please make this known). You will find the driver attending with a sign with your name written on it. The proposed itinerary (may be reversed or rearranged as needed). Depart the pier and drive to Rome for about 1.5-hours. Drive to Circus Maximus for a spectacular view of Palatine Hill. Then, reach and visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Afterwards, head to Piazza di Spagna and visit the area, continuing to Trevi Fountain and visit the area (make sure to throw in a coin) and then continue for a visit to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. See the Vatican City comprised of St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica. Drive back to the pier in Civitavecchia.   

During your highway journey, you will take in views of the Roman countryside and the Tyrrhenian Sea. What you will see aspects of Ancient Rome, monumental Rome, and Christian Rome on this tour. For a taste of Ancient Rome, see the Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Capitol Hill, and an overview of the Roman Forum, Trajan’s Column, and Circus Maximus. Monumental Rome consists of Venice Square and the "Wedding Cake," the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a typical Roman restaurant. After lunch, discover Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with a 2-hour guided tour and skip-the-line tickets included.