Make the most of a day in Rome by combining a tour of ancient Roman attractions in the morning followed by a visit to the Vatican Museums in the afternoon during this guided tour.
Begin your day in the heart of ancient Rome with a stop at the Arch of Constantine and a tour of the Colosseum. Walk through the massive amphitheater as you learn about the bloody games once held there.
Walk from the Colosseum to the adjacent Roman Forum to walk on the ancient cobblestone streets. Hear about the Tabularium and the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina as you walk through what was once the epicenter of the Roman Empire. See how the ancient Temple of Hadrian has been incorporated into a more modern building, though you can still see the streets of ancient Rome preserved at a level well below today's streets.
Visit the impressive Pantheon with its domed roof, dating from the 1st century B.C. to hear how it was preserved through constant use and is now a burial place for Italian kings and the artist Raphael.
Take a midday break for lunch (own expense) before heading to the Vatican Museums for the second half of the tour. Enjoy skip-the-line access with your guide and personalized attention in groups no larger than 12.
Explore the vast collections in the Vatican Museums, amassed by popes over the centuries. See ancient Greek and Roman artifacts, including the Belvedere Apollo, as well as masterpieces by Raphael and Bernini. Make your way into the Sistine Chapel to marvel at Michelangelo's amazing frescoes.
Visit St. Peter's Basilica next to the museums to see even more artwork by Bernini, Michelangelo, and Raphael.