St. Peter's, Roman Catacombs & Colosseum (Guided in Spanish)

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Departing from Civitavecchia, your 90-minute motorcoach ride to the heart of Rome takes you through the glorious Roman countryside and along the Tyrrenian Sea. Once in the city, you'll walk to your first destination, the Roman Catacombs.

The Roman Catacombs contain important examples of early Christian art from before 400 AD including frescos and sculptures. The first large-scale catacombs were excavated from the 2nd century onwards. Originally they were carved through tufo, a soft volcanic rock, outside the boundaries of the city, because Roman law forbade burial places within city limits. Furthermore, the pagan custom was to incinerate corpses, while early Christians and Jews buried the deceased. Many lacked the resources to buy land for burial purposes, thus using the soft volcanic rock around Rome to dig tunnels in which to bury their dead.

Christian excavators (fossors) built vast systems of galleries and passages on top of each other. They lie 23 to 62 feet below the surface in area of more than 590 acres. Narrow steps that descend as many as four stories join the levels. Passages are about eight feet tall by four feet wide with burial niches carved into walls.

Your tour continues as you walk through the impressive St. Peter's Square. With its fountains and semicircular colonnades crowned with statues of the saints, the square perfectly frames the Basilica's entrance. The first church here was built by Constantine on the site where St. Peter was martyred and buried. Michelangelo deserves much of the credit for the massive reconstruction and his famous "Pieta" masterpiece is located inside. You'll have an opportunity to purchase religious articles and other mementos of this unforgettable and spiritual experience.

A stroll returns you to your motorcoach for a scenic drive to a 1st class hotel/restaurant for lunch. Aboard, you'll have a moment to relax, see the sights, and anticipate your sumptuous meal. A glass of Italian wine, sparkling mineral water and a traditional meal made with fresh, local ingredients is a welcome respite in your day.

Refreshed from lunch, you'll board your motorcoach and travel a short distance to one of the grandest of all Rome's monuments, the Colosseum, for a photo stop.


A 15-minutewalk brings this iconic, imposing structure into view, and you are immediately taken back in time. The grandest amphitheaters ever built, no building in existence gives such an impression of imposing size. Be sure to photograph this awe-inspiring icon from several angles to truly capture its architectural significance.The Colosseum holds a special place in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, and on each Good Friday, the Pope leads a torch-lit "Way of the Cross" procession that starts in the area around it.

After your photo stop at the Colosseum, your tour concludes with a walk back to your motorcoach and a scenic return to Civitavecchia. Relaxing in the comfort of your motorcoach, you will leave the Eternal City but take a lifetime of memories home.

Special Notes:

This tour does not include the Colosseum inside visit. This tour is not available to passengers beginning or ending their voyage in Civitavecchia (Rome).


The drive between Civitavecchia and Rome is approximately 1 1/2 hours each way, subject to traffic conditions.

Sightseeing in the Vatican City will be on foot as motorcoaches are not permitted in the vicinity.

Proper attire that covers shoulders and legs must be worn by both men and women in St. Peter's Basilica - mini-skirts, shorts and capri pants are not acceptable. In addition visitors are often required to check large bags, video cameras and bottled water at a desk. Please note that for tour groups on visit to St. Peter's Basilica the use of headsets owned and provided by the site's management is compulsory. Guests will be responsible for missing headsets. St. Peter's Basilica headsets company will charge Euro 50,00 for every missing device.

Visitors must pass through metal detectors at St. Peter's Basilica. Large bags or umbrellas, bottled water, video cameras, knives or scissors must be checked at the desk.

You might encounter considerable crowds, lines and delays. Should your guide determine that the queue at the St. Peter's Basilica security check point is longer than a 45-minute wait, they will forego the interior visit of the Basilica and provide you with a full explanation and description while outside. You will be provided more time during your shopping or free period to compensate for not entering the basilica .


Please be aware that ongoing restoration work is often being carried out at the various venues visited.

The guides usually do not accompany the buses from the ship or on the return drive from Rome to Civitavecchia.

Tour groups are not allowed inside St. Peter's Basilica during religious services. However, entry will be allowed on an individual basis to view the interior quietly and reverently. Should a mass be taking place in St. Peter's Basilica, the entrance may be restricted. Please be aware that Basilica might close for security reason at any given time without previous notice.

This tour involves a great amount of walking, therefore it is not recommended to Guests with walking difficulties or using wheelchairs. Guests must be able to negotiate the steps of the coach.

The visit to the Roman Catacombs is not recommended for Guests suffering of claustrophobia

This tour uses headsets. Please be aware that guests will be responsible for the headset devices provided.

Should the designed motor coach drop off / pick up point for St. Peters Basilica be congested or unavailable, an alternative drop off / pick up point location will be used. Please note that an additional walking portion of 0.6 miles from / to the alternative location should be considered.

The tour order may vary but always covering the same sites..

Medical Restriction:

The visit to the Roman Catacombs is not recommended for Guests suffering of claustrophobia