Best of Rome in 7 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was hesitant to go on a tour, but I am so glad I did. Everything about this tour was so well done. The guides were excellent, the hotel staff was just lovely, and our tourmates were so very pleasant--not a curmudgeon among them!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Favorite "wow" moment was the Borghese Gallery. Francesca, our local guide, made the statues and art come alive. I had been to the Borghese Gallery many years ago, but Francesca made me look at the art in a whole new light."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was very happy with the overall tour. Our group was friendly, cooperative and had positive attitudes! A great balance of free time vs. tour led activities. All of the tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and personable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Colosseum was spectacular!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing tour. All aspects were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Borghese Gallery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent choices of attractions, excellent local loguides, Marijan was enthusiastic, energetic, caring, good humored, encouraging and very knowledgeable. The hotel was comfortable and friendly. Location of the hotel was good but not a lot happening around the hotel streets.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ostia Antica, I have been to Rome before but not there. I liked that we could walk more among the ruins and that it was not crowded. Also, going for lunch on the shore was great."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First of all, our guide, Marijan, was FANTASTIC. He was very enthusiastic, energetic, helpful, thoughtful, fun and a good sense of humor. RS Tours tours are very well-planned and thorough and they seem to attract folks who are curious, well-educated, open-minded and willing to try new things. While the tour was packed w/a lot, we still have a good amount of time on our own to explore - and Marijan would give us tips if we wanted. Overall, this was a wonderful tour even in spite of the rain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have a few! The Bernini sculptures of Borghese Museum took my breath away. Francesca was our local guide for this as well as Ostia Antica. She always describes things in such a way where it helped me to truly imagine what it was like centuries ago. She never even misses a beat when it began to rain on us - nothing phases her nor did the rain phase the others on our tour. My 3rd wow moment was wandering around the Colosseum after dinner"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My wife and I went on this tour to celebrate our 20-year anniversary. It completely fulfilled our expectations, and then some. It was a dream of a lifetime. Although both of us are “seniors,” we had never been to Europe before. Although we had seen the places/monuments on TV/movies many times, still made it no less spectacular to being there. One reason we choose a Rick Steves tour was to make sure we hit the can’t-miss spots. Everything was so well-planned. Every visit was "memorable."

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s impossible to choose our favorite part: the sights, the hotel, the guides, the food, the fellow travelers. Each day brought a new unique adventure led by a knowledgeable guide, as well as plenty of personal free time to explore. However, the following sights really stood out: Michelangelo's Moses at St.Peter-in-Chains Church, the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, the Forum, Trevi fountain, St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, the Borghese Gallery."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I thought all the guides were excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don’t I had a wow movement."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, we had a wonderful time. The sights, tour guides (Nina and local tour guides), and hotel all were excellent. The food at the group meals generally did not seem up to Rick Steves standards. There was an over-reliance on pasta, and the final night dinner frankly was poor.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The day at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel was an awesome combination of sights for one day."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide, Nina was exceptional. Just the right amount of history, modern information, amazing food and architecture. I really felt like we got to know the city of Rome from a Roman citizens point of you. This is my second time on this tour and I felt like I learned and saw things that I never saw the first time. Other members of our tour were accommodating and friendly, and we will keep in contact with each other for years to come.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How could I ever pick just one? The Colosseum, walking through the Roman, Forum, strolling through Roman neighborhoods, and visiting Roman shops? Seeing the Mediterranean? All once in a lifetime experiences."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best tour of Italy I have ever been on

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Borghese museum, I loved the fact that they only allow 160 people at at time. This gave us room and time to really enjoy the museum"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent experience with a seasoned guide. We consider it an introductory tour that exposed the city to us as a basis for future independent visits. The tour was strenuous, but we were certainly warned! Our primary guide, Nina, was very efficient, professional, capable, and reliable. She ran a tight ship…and we certainly did a lot of running since we covered lots of sites and lots of ground. The Lancelot hotel was excellent! We WILL return!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our biggest “wow” was upon entering the Borghese Gallery…breathtaking. But, Rome, overall, is just one big “wow” after another. There is beauty and history literally everywhere you look. It is truly an amazing place."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience. The planning and guides provided were excellent! Just the right amount of free time too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Borghese Museum and Gallery. Bernini Sculptures"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The itinerary was perfect for what I wanted to see. The unplanned/substitute cooking class activity was fun and the proprietors of that venue were joyful instructors. The day trip to Ostia Antica was a highlight for me, especially seeing all the amazing mosaics and learning about this ancient colony. The trip to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel was disappointing. The extremely crowded conditions made it challenging to do more than shuffle along. St. Peter’s was incredibly beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The mosaics were an unexpected “wow” throughout the tour. I expected to be amazed by most everything else, and I was, but the mosaics were an unexpected visual treat."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first tour and it was awesome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Coliseum the first time."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed it very much. Hotel was very comfortable. Our tour guide was awesome.( Mariana) I felt I knew her all my life. Fellow travelers were friendly and nice. I felt like touring with family.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The amazing Churches."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Signing up for a RS's Best of Rome in 7 days tour was an excellent choice for me being that I am a first time traveler to Europe. I felt comfortable being with a small group of happy travelers as we were guided to see the highlights of Rome together. It was an absolute treat to be guided by our drop in tour guide Francesca, a notable contributor to RS videos, books, and audio guides. I felt that this tour was a nice balance between touring with a group and free time to explore on my own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite WOW moment had to be seeing the Colosseum for the first time. I got off the bus to walk toward my hotel and there it was! And during the tour when Francesca walked us through the gladiator entrance into the Colosseum arena I almost had an out of body experience as though I was there in person almost 2000 years ago, looking up into the crowded stadium, hearing the roar of the cheers, and knowing that soon I would meet my death. I was gripped with a feeling I cannot describe."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very pleased with everything; the hotel, the group, the guides and the sights

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking along actual ancient Roman roads"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day and every moment was special and memorable. Our tour guides Cecelia and Francesca were knowledgable, personable, and brought the city to life for us. Francesca actually made us cry at the St. Peter in Chains Basilica. I think she made us cry a couple times. Cecelia was a vivid, energetic, and protective tour guide. We felt fortunate to have such wonderful guides to the eternal city. We appreciated how the tour was scheduled where there was a rigorous day followed by a slow paced

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick one wow moment. I think it would be walking down the street from our hotel and passing the Coliseum! Also, getting off the tour bus and walking into the ancient seaport Ostia Antica, which was like being transported into another world!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We really enjoyed our week in Rome. (We had taken the "Best of Paris" tour several years ago and found it excellent, so we decided to book the intensive "Best of Rome" tour, and it did not disappoint.) Also, our tour guides were excellent.....especially Cecelia (our guide for the week), and our local guides Francesca (Colosseum and Ostia Antica), Ilaria (Borghese Gallery) and Alessandra (Vatican). They brought the history, art and culture alive! Our fellow travelers were a friendly group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is difficult to choose just one! It was amazing to step into the Pantheon and appreciate its grandeur and history."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

great experience for a history student like myself-although i was a day late due to airline issues, the pace of the tour was just right, giving the group ample free time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"the day at the pantheon was informative and also the day at ostia antica was an eye opening."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Cecelia and the other guides were wonderful. And we were a rowdy bunch so they had their work cut out for them!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Borghese Gallery - the sculptures there are breathtaking. My favorite is Bernini's "David"."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Excellent

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several wow moments. To me it was to see the ruins , excavation and preservation of the ruins in Ostia Antica, The Forum and the Colosseum.The paintings, Tapestries and the sculptures, especially the ones made of marble in the Borghese Gallery, Basilica and several other churches I visited on my own. The paintings and the sculptures were so alive with minute details. In the sculptures you could see the curves and indentations were so realistic. Termini station was another wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour guides had an excellent grasp of the arts, and shared many wounderful facts about Rome and Ostia Antica. The mix of guided tours and free time was good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pantheon, Colosseum, and Forum were very impressive"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Cecilia and Francesca were outstanding guides. Both made the history of Rome come alive. The walks through the Colosseum, the Forum and the Vatican were fascinating. Excellent hotel and staff for tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The"wow" walk through the Colosseum and the Forum with Francesca encapsulated everything about Rome. The beginnings, the empire building, the Roman emperors, both the good aspects of Roman culture and the tolerance for horrible displays for entertainment. Here we learned of the depth of Roman feelings for the loss of a child or spouse through poems that have been preserved. A more complete understanding of the Romans emerged from this walk through these buildings and through time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great mix of group tour time and explore on your on time. Our guide Nina was knowledgeable, friendly and funny, I learned so much and loved the whole trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I discovered I was a Bernini sculpture fan!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nina and B were fabulous hostesses! They introduced us to

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking into to view the Rape of Persephone at the Borghese Galleria. It was breathtaking! Second was walking to the top of the dome at St Peter's Basilica. That 360° view of Roma was fantastic! This was below St Clemente Church. So much history below the depths of the city streets. And the Colesseo... so much to see in one city. This week just scratched the surface of history here."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guides were organized, very knowledgeable, friendly, kind, helpful, and fun. The schedule was well designed with the different things we saw and just the right amount of free time. I really appreciated the varied sights we saw, from the Borghese Gallery to an afternoon at the beach.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking by the colosseum at night, with it all lit up and the full moon above it glowing in the clear night sky."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a wonderful time in Rome and racked up an average of 7.76 miles on foot per day! It is a very walkable city, although we did use the bus a few times and the subway whenever we could. With the exception of one violent hailstorm, the weather was sunny, warm, and mild. A perfect time to visit.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably every single time I stepped into a church. Catholic Rome's churches are massive, grand, sparkling with mosaics, gleaming with marble, adorned with fine art and humming with the faith of ages past & present. We visited Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, San Clemente, St Peter in Chains, and of course, St Peter's Basilica. We visited in the week before Easter, so the churches were busy."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 5th trip with Rick Steves', and it was honestly the best one yet. I enjoyed the mix of group time and free time. The local guides were outstanding, especially Francesca. The food was great, I just loved every moment.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I'm not sure I can pick just one, it's like picking a favorite child!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my second Rick Steves tour, so I knew what to expect. I think the pace and content worked well for a one week visit to Rome.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I could not have been more pleased. The guides were easy to understand and not only did they explain the buildings, art, ruins and pieces of history on the tour, they told us what it is like to live in their neighborhood today and differences in cultures in everyday living. Everything was on time, well orchestrated. Rome is 7 days was wonderful. Looking forward to another Rick Steves' Tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Francesca explaining the Bernini sculptures and Dianna Hunting painting by Domenichino in Galleria Borghese. I was wowed and wanted to hear more! I have never had anyone take the time to explain the differences in styles so that I could identify them again or interpret paintings and sculptures as she did."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed the whole week.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That our hotel was so close to the Colesseum."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Had awesome guides and their expertise and knowledge made it very interesting to follow

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably St Peters and the inside of the coliseum"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Arrangements were easily made and fairly priced. We loved the quiet, little hotel as well as its location. The small group allowed for maximum touring enjoyment. Our guide was friendly, informative, and patient with our group of mostly active but elderly folk. Starting out early each day (while we still had energy lol) to see the sites was a great idea. Then we had the afternoons for independent activities. The selection of sites to see couldn't have been better. Best part - Francesca.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"How can I select from all of the splendor; all that antiquity, paintings, and sculpture. I can't but one thing that stood out as something I never knew or had ever seen or read about was the chair that was used to check "the jewels" and make certain the newly elected pope was a male. Talk about a wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall experience was GREAT!!! The tour exceeded my expectations. The guides were pleasant, knowledgeable, and professional. We saw everything that was scheduled on the tour and enjoyed little unplanned side trips along the way. That kept it fun and action packed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was when I saw the Colosseum for the first time. I loved the juxtaposition of past and present day. I purchased a beautiful small watercolor of the Colosseum from a street artist. He was painting right there in the moment. I treasure it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really enjoyed the tour! The guides were amazing! I can’t imagine seeing Rome without their input.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really love that we had one guide, organizing everything, Stefanie was amazing, as well as her guide in training Mariana! However, the Italian guides added, witch history, European philosophy, and a bit of storytelling. It was marvelous! I can’t imagine going through these incredibly busy. I cannot imagine going through these incredibly beautiful historic sites without them"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first group tour. As experienced travelers who plan our vacations and value our independence, we were unsure what to expect with this format. We are pleased to share that we were very pleased with our experience and very happy we decided to see Rome through a RS group tour! We were particularly happy with the schedule allowing plenty of free time to explore on our own. Everything else was as expected, great guides, efficient movement through crowded sites and incredible local guides

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having the Colesseum “down the street” from our hotel, seeing it from the hotel terrace at sunrise/sunset, at every street corner in the neighborhood and then to stand on its floor and look up and around while being told by Francesca that “no 2000 year old building has just one story.” It was “wow” from the moment I saw it!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything that was promised was OVER delivered on. Our guides Stephanie and Marianna were like our personal concierge- answering all our questions about where to go on our own time, teaching us shortcuts, and sharing their own experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking on to the floor of the Colosseum - total surprise! Walking up to the Temple of Venus and finding out very few tours have ever been allowed to do that! Seeing Bernini's last sculpture on display when we visited the catacombs at San Sebastiano and finding out it was going on tour in a few days! Seeing Caravaggio's David and Goliath and finding it was also leaving and going on tour in days!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was simply amazing! A nice group of people, well organized & the guides were terrific!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Borghese Gallery!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

If possible the Rick Steves Rome tour exceeded my expectations. Our tour guides Stephanie & Marianna were fantastic, the people on our tour were great, the hotel was clean, quaint, & comfortable in a great neighborhood near the Colosseum, and the people in our tour group were all fun to hang out and travel with. Definitely a score of 10 out of 10 for the week.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Rome is full of wow moments every single day, but if I have to pick just one I'd probably pick the Colosseum. Our group was able to go down onto the floor of the Colosseum and our guide for the day Francesca did a wonderful job of explaining the history and architecture and really brought it to life for us. It's the memory of a lifetime."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good pacing of guided tour (Rome in 7 Days) - hit the sweet spot between too much and too little activity. Most guided activities were half day with plenty of time to explore on our own. Knowledgeable Tour guides, hotel accommodations good balance between price, service, location. Provision of admission tickets and weekly pass for public transportation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"strolling through layers of history and centuries of art in one spot"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Every day had "wow" moments! Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Bernini! The art historians' tours made ancient history relevant. Great food and wine. All positive experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many "wow" moments to single one out: Borghese Gallery? Special side-tour at the Vatican Museum? The walk through the Forum? Ostia Antica? The pasta grecia or cacio e pepe? How can I pick just one?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I fell head-over-heals in love with Rome and I hadn't expected to have this reaction. In fact, I was nervous about visiting Rome because it seemed so complex and excessive and confusing. But the program and our amazing guides made Rome accessible by giving us the knowledge and navigational tools to discover, understand and enjoy this remarkable place.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "pinch-me-I can't-believe-I'm-here" moment was seeing the Coliseum for the first time, looming at the end of a quiet street in the neighborhood where our hotel was located."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A week in Rome is never enough! That being said, our amazing tour guide, Tina, did such a great job at giving us an in-depth taste of the city. We dove into in history, ate incredible food, and learned how to Navigate the city from the perspectives of both the past and the present. Our local guides, Francesca and Ilaria were top notch as well. I am so excited I decided to take this trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Sistine Chapel is absolutely fantastic. I also really loved going to Ostia Antica and the Borghese Gallery."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Attention to every detail of tour. tour guides knowledgeable of really care about each member the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"wow moment the arrival from the metro. Arrived right behind the colesseum. beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We arrived early in Rome to familiarize ourselves with the tour's itinerary. The overall experience exceeded our expectations. The city still reverberates in our heads and our hearts. We were worried about the weather but that too turned out just fine. Hotel staff and accommodations were excellent. The group was cheerful and good-natured. Our guide Tina was organized, responsive to problems, and very professional. Great memories. Magnifico!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many, many 'wow' moments. The energy of the city exceeded our imagination and the people were very friendly. We lived mostly on pizza, pasta, beer and wine, gelato and tiramisu. I was most impressed with Bernini's sculptures and of course Michelangelo. My wife loved the Vatican, the Forum, the Colosseum, and the ongoing restoration of Ostia Antica. All of which were superbly presented by our specialist guides. We are looking forward to Rome Part 2, with a cooking class."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous trip! Our guide was well versed in all aspects of the week. The daily schedules were clear (loved that each day had free time to explore on our own), and there were multiple suggestions for what to do, see, and eat. Our group bonded easily, thanks to our terrific guide, which added to the wonderful experience. The amplification of the whisper system made it easy to stay together in the crowds and easily hear the running narratives.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All the stories behind the sites, paintings, sculptures, and monuments helped to blend the history of Rome with the what we see today. On my own, there would just be another lovely painting, building, or sculpture but the guided part of this tour really expanded the information and made the experiences come alive."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour! I now have an understanding for how the city of Rome grew and developed its layers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but St. Peter’s was amazing. The size and scale must be experienced. And while we were there we were able to see the celebration of mass. Quite an experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lovely, caring and informative tour guide, fun and kind tour group members, and enriching, diverse tour activities. What more could you ask for?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking from stone to stone on the Via Sacra in the Forum and having the tour guide point out that I was walking an original Roman road from 2,000 years ago."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nina was amazing! Fantastic week start to finish. Great group dynamics.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St. Peters"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour guide was great and the sites we say were amazing. We also appreciated having time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the Colosseum for the first time. We also loved the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our tour guide Nina was excellent as well as our local guide Elidia - both 5 stars! We were less than thrilled with our accomodations. The staff was very attentive and friendly and hotel very clean. Our room and beds were very small and the bathroom even smaller. The breakfast was only adequate. We didn't care for the location, we would have liked to have been in the Pantheon area. We felt that too much free time was incorporated into the tour, and would have like more group activities

Favorite "WOW" moment

"By far our most favorite was visiting Volpetti in the Testaccio area. Matteo presented us with an amazing array of meats and cheeses and was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his products! Second would be the Borghese museum which is such a wow! Would have enjoyed have a guided tour of the surrounding park and area as well, which we did on our own."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip leader was excellent. She was very knowledgeable and very helpful during the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had several wow moments both from the ruins and visiting the Vatican."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves Tours and Lisa thought of it all. Expertise, variety, educational, fun and tasty. Excellent experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tours were all good. The Vatican was a really good tour."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Can't pick just one, so many amazing sites"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Lisa was a fantastic guide. Rome was glorious.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Modern living amongst the ancient ruins of the Colosseum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Amazing experience. With excellent guides. I advise getting in shape before.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first visual seeing the Collisium from our bedroom window."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I had the time of my life on my mid-October "Best of Rome" tour. I was nervous about travelling as a woman on her own for the first time ever, but the guides, hotel staff and my like-minded tour group pals put me immediately at ease. It was one of the best very weeks of my life and I'm still reliving it in my dreams every night.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favourite "wow" moment was my visit to the Colosseum with Francesca. She's my idea of a celebrity and her philosophical approach to explaining the majesty and the horror of ancient Rome really resonates, bringing the past into the present. The centuries of violence and bloodshed at the Colosseum meant that it was the site I least wanted to visit, but thanks to Francesca's interpretation, I left amazed."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved everything about this tour! The hotel had great amenities and was within walking distance to most sites. Our guide, Nina, was fabulous! She was very knowledgeable, had a great sense of humour and was very organized. She has a unique perspective of Rome, being a transplant from the U.S., but now a resident - so she understood how to prepare us to look/experience Rome in a meaningful way. We are still processing what we learned from this amazing trip. It was a life changing experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of "wow" moments! (1)the magical first evening walk by the ancient ruins, illuminated by the setting sun; entering the palpable atmospheric ancient Parthenon; experiencing the convivial present-day crowd around the luminous Trevi Fountain. (2)When Francesca "gave us" a philosophical set of lenses to look at Ancient Rome through instead of just trying to remember sizes and dates about it, e.g. time is an "infinite, present moment in Rome", that Rome is a mix of the sacred and profane, etc."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

There was a lot more walking than I would have liked. Tour guides were outstanding. Sites included were very good. Air conditioning in hotel would have helped. Gelato shops were the best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Borghese Gallery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the tour guides were friendly and told wonderful historical stories to bring the ancient ruins to life as we toured Rome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was standing in the Pantheon on the first evening of the tour. Seeing all the architectural designs still holding together 2,000 years later and knowing the building is still in use today was very impressive. The experience provoked deep emotions. Truly amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a great way to immerse oneself in a city

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking inside the Pantheon and looking up"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding. Great balance between seeing sights in a way it would have been difficult to on out own, while still providing plenty of free time to customize our trip ourselves.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing on the floor of the colosseum with barely anyone else around, right as the morning sun was turning the interior of the arches on one side gold."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the tour, made seeing Rome easy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being in the Colosseum"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

While I consider this tour well planned and worth every cent, I cannot rate it "outstanding" because I, and many others, felt far too rushed throughout. The Vatican tour, in particular, was ridiculously fast, missing any options for museums and barely 20 minutes (including bathroom time) in the Sistine Chapel. Thank goodness it the was led by the exceptional Francesca, who helped us develop a personal connection with what we were seeing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Italians themselves. So gracious and easygoing I fell in love with the culture!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized. Enjoyed the structure, but appreciated the free time to explore on our own. The tour guides were exceptional, so knowledgeable and it felt like they were taking us back to Ancient Rome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Learning and seeing the work of Bernini. I am still overwhelmed."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Like our travel agent we at this time of the into October month and so many out visitors to Rome became the way over crowed to the City, but all in all very enjoyable even with so to many people. Might of waited another year because of the virus which I did come down with and would of came the 1st of June of 2023.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"What else, the Coliseum! and the museums of statues."

Overall rating: rating 2 of 5

Pretty intense schedule , great to have easy access to sitesdeta

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Details of the coliseum history since it was built"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour director & local guides were very knowledgeable & truly made us want to enjoy Rome & its culture as much as they did. The Lancelot hotel staff were very attentive to our needs & its location near major attractions & transportation options made exploration much easier.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being able to walk inside the Colosseum & imagine what it must have been like to see the spectacles that happened there, not to mention the engineering it took to build such an arena."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The guides were great and the free versus planned time was good

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Going thriugh the Sistine Chapel"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Cecilia and Francesca were amazing and made the trip for us. We were so grateful to meet them and there is so much to see in Rome that if a Rome II tour was constructed we would book it in the first 12 months. We had three tour-group-participants that were unable to physically manage the needs of the tour and were disruptive and negative to our experience. We wish they could have been offered a ‘my experience’ option that would not pair them with a group. Everyone else was delightfully willing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! Ostia Antica in the morning light, the Borghese museum with Francesca’s magic weaving the story, our incredible final dinner with Cecilia’s family wine; we’re telling everyone we know about this wonderful itinerary. We loved this trip so much and hope to return to Rome to learn more again in the future!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed learning about the history and culture of Rome and Italy, and most definitely had fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being introduced to Borghese Gallery art"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Loved my time in Rome. Had the perfect amount of guided time vs free time. Meals were great, planned activities were interesting and the guides were so incredible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Francesca really made Ostia and our 2 local sites (Colosseum/Forum and the Borghese Gallery) really come alive. I loved Ostia so much."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our RS guide Cecilia was absolutely wonderful and all the local guides as well. With special recognition to Francesca who was so knowledgeable and very insightful. Couldn't have asked for anything more....even getting soaked in the rain while touring the Coloseum. Loved our time in Rome and Ostia. Personally I thoroughly enjoyed Cecilia and her leadership and her sense of humor. She is most charming and kept all of us on our toes. She is a treat!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I believe Francesca pointed this out but coming to realize that every step we took we were standing on 2000-3000 years of history. That was my "WOW" moment"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fun trip, excellent guides, esp local guide Francesca, lots of interesting sights. The only disappointment was the itinerary for Monday said we'd see San Clemente as a group and have a chance to see Palatine Hill on our own but we did neither. Instead of San Clem we went straight to the Colosseum and Forum then exited for a group lunch.We saw & pd for San Clem on our own but chose not to buy another Colosseum ticket and reserve a time just for Palatine Hill so missed a sight we had hoped to see.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St Peter's Basilica! I've seen it three times and it wows me every time. Or maybe it was Ostia Antica. Or maybe the pasta."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredibly informative and personally enriching; a broad, balanced exploration of Rome's history and its foundational, enduring impact on Western European civilization. Excellent opportunities to also experience contemporary Italian cuisine, culture, and current events. Mille Grazie, Cecelia!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ostia Antica; to explore an ancient Roman city, in a park-lie setting and with Francesca's guidance and expertise, was truly memorable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very organized and covered all of the main sites. The hotel was very nice and it was in a convenient location. Very much enjoyed getting to know Rome and its history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the Borghese Gallery with local tour guide Francesca. The Bernini sculptures were amazing and Francesca made them come alive for us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent leaders great experience

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one, daily wow moments"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great group of fellow travelers, stimulating guides, comfortable hotel, good eats and saw new places and works of art- my idea of a great trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bernini sculptures at Borgheze Gallery - a first for me"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was one of the best weeks of my life. The comparison of Rome to a lasagna is utterly apt, but it’s a lasagna with all the layers exposed so you can see how they build on one another. And you’re not just seeing Italian history being developed, but the history of Western civilization. By visiting Rome, I became acquainted with part of my own past.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking along the street casually, with my mind on something else, and glancing down at a hole in a ground only to find an excavation underway from the 3rd century BC. Connecting that to what Francesca Caruso said about Rome being the “eternal city” and thinking about how being surrounded constantly by millennia of history would have helped to mold the Roman character."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Met our expectations, although Rome was more crowded than we thought for September.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rome was a bucket list destination and I finally got there after having to cancel two other RS tours due to COVID. So, the bar was set pretty high and the experience exceeded my expectations. The tour was incredible. Our main guides, Maryella and Wally, were fonts of information and very welcoming. Francesca gave an amazing tour of the Coliseum, the Forum, and Ostia Antica! The pacing of the tour was great, leaving blocs of time for me to see sites of particular interest to me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one. The porchetta we at in Trastevere. Incredible. Francesca's Coliseum and Forum tour brought the place to life. The Raphael Rooms at the Vatican. Breathtaking! My first time seeing the Mediterranean! St. Clement's basilica: going from the 21st to the 1st century as I walked downwards through time. The Bernini sculptures at the Borghese (and Francesca's description) were amazing. Rome is just one big Wow moment and this RS tour gave me an incredible introduction to it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The overall experience was exceptional. Our guides, Cecelia and Francesca along with specialists at the Vatican and the Borghese were absolutely phenomenal. The itinerary was expertly designed and although we were quite tired by the end of a full day, we felt the pace was comfortable and each element of the day was interesting and compelling. There was a good balance of organized touring and time to explore independently.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The colosseum visit on the first day was amazing! We also thoroughly enjoyed the final dinner along with Cecilia's wine tasting presentation."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide Cecilia was fantastic, as were all of our local guides. Enjoyed the hotel and feeling that we were in a neighborhood setting and close to metro. Enjoyed the sights included, would have enjoyed being able to walk down to the floor of the Coliseum and a little more time to explore around the Pantheon

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Aside from ALL the food, we enjoyed our farewell dinner that Cecilia arranged with the guitar player and wine tasting."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was superb. The sites were excellent. The guides generated excellent conversation. There was a right amount of scheduled tours and free time. The food was superb. The hotel was good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It wasn't a "wow" moment, but rather a "wow" person. Our local guide Francesca is brilliant. Her grasp of history, art and culture is staggering. I could listen to her lecture any time. She said that she will appear in a Rick Steves video in 2023. I will be looking forward to it. Francesca is an invaluable asset."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Enjoyed everything about the Rome Tour. Only one short bus ride on one day. Tour description lived up to description of the itinerary as well as the "information sheets" provided prior to the vacation

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having Francesca and CiCi "in our ear" while touring. Wonderful to experience the museums, streets and transit systems with such ecperts."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Action packed 7 days of the best of Rome as promised! The guides made the experience so meaningful…thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Borghese gallery….Bernini sculptures…took my breath away."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nina --was very Knowledgeable and ALWAYS helpful -- Was glad she got me out of just getting Pizza --and trying other Italian Food --- B/C of Nina--learned a lot about the culture too --Very pleasant to have a Tour Guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"St Peters Basilica ---the church I attend will NEVER look the same --- Plus , understanding the history of Rome --just amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my fourth Italy Rick Steve's Tour, and this tour was outstanding like the past tours. Nina, the Tour Guide is exceptional. The itinerary was well-balanced with the major city-highlights and the walking tours through different neighborhoods for the Rome of today, and outside the city excursion to Ostia.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Having been to Rome before, my "wow" day was at Ostia Antica; beautiful archaeological site different than others in Italy, a beautiful day excursion from Rome, not crowded, and a wonderful tour guided by Francesca gave me more insight into ancient life there."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well organized, and fun. Could have used a little more free time, with better public transportation information. I enjoyed getting around on my own more in Paris.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Francesca’s tour of the Ostia Antica, especially the epitaphs on the roads. She was so knowledgeable and sincere."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

More than just “very good,” but what In this poor world is “0utstanding?”

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Ho Ho Ho."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was not our first time in Europe, but it was our first time in Italy and our first ever group tour. So we didn’t know what to expect. Donald, our guide was wonderful — knowledgeable, patient and a good sense of humor. The schedule for the week was balanced and well thought out. The group lunches and dinners were delicious and convivial. The local guides, Ilaria, Francesca, and Toni, were all fabulous. They handled our group’s questions and quirks with ease and grace. Thank you!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely the sculptures, though hard to choose between them. Laocoön, The Pieta, all the Bernini in the Borghese Gallery, and we went on our own to see St. Theresa in Ecstasy. The sculptures were worth the trip. In close competition are just all the ancient ruins and rebuilding them in your mind: the coliseum, the forum, and Ostia Antica."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good food, good wine, great art, history, lovely hotel and knowledgeable guides. what's not to like.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When Francesca read quotes from some of the 2000 year old tombs in Ostia Antica. One in particular was from a husband describing his wife. It was very moving and brought the couple to life for me."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Several items from the itinerary of the tour were not included. I plan ahead to accommodate key sites that are not on the itinerary, so this was a disappointment to find out too late that certain sites would not be on our tour. For example, we did not get a tour of the Pantheon.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meeting and being guided by Francesca Caruso. She is so knowledgeable and an amazing guide!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very informative and exhaustive for the period toured

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The magnitude of the architecture and visual history and the people and atmosphere! The people are so kind and welcoming and loving life!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guides and very informative discussions

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have seen many ruins but the ones at Osteria Antica were ‘wow’"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I feel like we saw the really important pieces of Rome.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved the food tour with Valentina in Trastevere and the Colosseum Tour with Francesca."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The local guides were amazing! Francesca and the art historian at the Borghese made viewing come alive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Borghese tour was awesome. The first time I came to Rome was ten years ago and I didn’t remember anything about the visit but this trip was memorable."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was great to have everything planned. There were sites I wouldn't have thought to see if it wasn't for this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would say the ceilings of the old churches. They were beautiful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide Nina was amazing! She brought ancient Rome to life. We had a great group, delicious food, an overall fantastic experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Coliseum. Sistine Chapel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my fifth Rick Steves tour, four of them in Italy and Sicily. They have all been fabulous! Rome is spectacular, and our guide Nina Bernardo was wonderful!! If you are considering a Rick Steves tour, stop thinking about it and GO! You'll love it!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One thing I did this visit that I wasn't able to do before was walk on the old Appian Way. It's not spectacular like the Colosseum and the Vatican, but just walking on the original road to the center of the Roman Empire is something I've wanted to do for decades. Took me right back to my high school Latin classes!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The week in Rome was a fantastic experience. Our primary guide Nina, and the secondary guides/experts were all very personable, knowledgeable, and very approachable. It was very obvious they loved doing what they did, and that made the trip even more enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one, but the Bernini statues in the Borghese Gallery were breathtaking. But there were also some sights we visited on our own apart from the group that were equally enjoyable."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My overall tour experience was outstanding. Guides were excellent, hotel couldn't be better. Too bad you couldn't control the crowds!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Colosseum and Roman Forum was my bigger than life "Wow" moment. I had read a little about it, but I couldn't believe how huge and real the ruins were!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time. Loved the hotel and it’s convenient location, great group of people, amazing tour, and a really great guide (Nina!).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of the Coliseum on the first day. Francesca opened our eyes and minds to the amazing history of the Roman Empire."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful week. I couldn't have asked for a better post-covid reentry into the world of travel. From amazing guides, iconic destinations, delicious food, to just taking in the sights as we strolled- it was perfect. There was a lovely balance between structure and free time. Truly, I was just full of gratitude to be there after two years of waiting. With that sense of awe and anticipation, the experience was even richer.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would probably say the Borghese Gallery. Especially since we had a beloved tour guide leading us through as the museum opened, we were able to have the place to ourselves for those moments before the crowds arrived, allowing us to just take it all in. I will also say, the parts I didn't think I'd enjoy as much (the Forum, Ostia Antica) really came alive in ways I hadn't initially anticipated. I also enjoyed seeing the Sistine Chapel in person."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best of Rome was a great introduction to Rome and Italy in general. I love how the city tours help make you feel comfortable using available public transportation. Our group was small and I felt like we had a private tour of the city. The small size also allowed us to be nimble when Holy Week made some activities challenging. I loved our hotel and its location. Cecilia was an amazing guide and I was thrilled that Francesca was our local guide on 3 days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"First was the food. Second was perfecting navigation of the city on foot, bus, and taxi. Third was the Borghese Gallery with Francesca. The 4th occurred in Trastevere as my fellow tour members and I were headed to our hotel from the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Someone suggested we check out one of the other churches along the way. We went inside and discovered a small orchestra and a pair of singers practicing for a concert or Easter service. We sat in silence for 20 minutes. Wow!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour with only six guests. It is to Rick Steves' credit that they did not cancel the tour when only six guests confirmed. It was like having a small private tour. Our primary guide, Cecilia Bottai, was outstanding and so was Francesca, who provided special guiding detail for the Colosseum and Forum tours, the Ostia Antica tour, and the Borghese Gallery tour. The other specialty guides were also very good, but Cecilia and Francesca were truly special. Francesca was poetic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Borghese Gallery with its wonderful Bernini sculptures was the biggest Wow moment for me, especially with the nuanced explanations provided by Francesca. Her deep love and knowledge of this art has driven her to develop a special expertise and appreciation for it, which she did a fantastic job sharing with us. Ostia Antica was another Wow moment with the mosaics of the Roman baths and the impressive Roman theater. This out-of-the-way archaeological site was well worth the drive to see."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Rick Steves Tours made every experience a special one. The pace was perfect- even flexible as the days were not structured too tightly to allow for individual goals. The hotel and dining choices were excellent! The tour guide and city guides were all so knowledgeable and personable!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to choose one moment, but literally walking where Julius Caesar walked is right up there!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As first time travelers to Italy, we were amazed at the number of art and architectural treasurers that seemed to be around every corner. The obvious respect for the historical sights and traditions in Rome made this a rewarding experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Receiving a Papal Blessing in person and being near the Pope were at the top of our list. Seeing the Colosseum and the Forum and learning their history was amazing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I appreciated being able to spend extended time in one city rather than rushing from city to city in order to see everything. In fact, I stayed after the tour for another 3 days in Rome. I now feel like I "know" the city and can return on my own to futher explore how rich and varied it is. The tour gave me a real sense of how layered the city is--or, as Cecilia put it, how "messy" it is. A wonderful mess!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This is a hard question, as there were so many wow moments. Because I had visited the Vatican before, I opted to tour the painting gallery rather than fight the swarms of people seeing the ancient treasures and Raphael's frescos. Thanks to Cecilia's flexibility, I had my own "wow" encounter with Raphael when I saw his "Transfiguration"--a painting I had seen in reproduction many times.I was utterly unprepared for how huge it is and how vibrant its colors are. Beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent balance of tour and free time. Very good guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing my grandson awed by the colosseum."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great group and fantastic local guides. Learned a lot, laughed a lot...walked a lot...and ate!!!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting St. Peter's (on our own) was too amazing to even find the right words to describe. With the tour group and our wonderful tour guide, visiting and tasting all the culinary delights was a time I'lll never forget!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was so much fun!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Borghese Gallery"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Give the circumstances I thought the tour was very good and throughly enjoyed myself.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"This was with Francesca at the Borghese Gallery. To see David by Bernini, and contrast it with Michelangelo’s David was incredible. You see the strength, power and determination on his face and know he was on a mission from God. And Pluto and Proserpina, to see how Bernini was able to show the force that Pluto was using to hold on to Proserpina was just incredible as well."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful itinerary, great mix of structure and free time. We saw so much of the city including a Papal audience on Wednesday which was unexpected. Hotel location near the Coliseum was perfect, it was amazing to see that landmark every day. Stephanie our tour guide was engaging and attentive she went out of her way to make sure everyone was having a wonderful week. Francesca and the local guides were amazing, informative and fun! I learned some much from them all. Great group of travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed the day trip to Ostia Antica, seeing the ruins and have Francesca and Stephanie try to bring us back to 300 AD was a WOW experience. Also attending the Papal audience on Wednesday was unexpected and moving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had the best tour guide, Stephanie! Our group melded together quickly and enjoyed each others' company.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Papal audience and all of the Vatican"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We toured Sicily for 11 days. Sicily was absolutely amazing. Our guide, Virginia, was incredible. We could not have a better guide. She guided us through so much historical roads and added local guides to enhance our experience. Virginia also encouraged us to introduce us to Marie Grammatico who allowed us into her kitchen to help us make cannolis and other pastries. Eleven days flew by with a smile on our faces every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our favorite “wow” moment was learning and seeing Mt. Etna. We actually met a Volcanologist. Hearing about Eetna’s eruptions, the historical implications to Sicily, and seeing smoke coming from the volcano was very impressive and interesting."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent experience overall. Terrific week with amazing guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Beginning to understand what makes amazing sculpture great - in the Borghese Gallery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely LOVED this tour! After two years of being grounded by covid, it was simply heartwarming to see this beautiful city that is rich in beauty and culture. The feel and energy of Rome was truly felt for me during this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite 'wow' moment was when we visited the Vatican museum, the historic works of art was mesmerizing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

this was my husband and my first Rick Steves tour and it was a great experience. We toured Rome on our honeymoon and were impressed with our guide, Nina, and with the general care that was taken around traveling during the pandemic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"touring the Galleria Borghese with the amazing Francesca Caruso. She made the art come to life!"