Name: Secrets of Rome and The Sabine Hills Tour
Brand: Zicasso
Price: 448 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (284 reviews)

What to expect on this itinerary

Rome will fully immerse you in history and culture as you take in the ancient columns and lavish palaces as historical roads wind into the countryside to lead you to medieval villages along the Sabine Hills. Every day is an adventure and every adventure a discovery as you are brought face to face with catacombs and villas, cliff-carved churches and preserved stone homes filled with unspoiled regional traditions. During your custom tailored Italian tour you will indulge in the aromas of comforting cuisine, witness the monumental achievements of the Roman Empire and linger in the charms of secluded hilltop villages that offer views to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Countries Visited

Italy

Places Visited

Casperia, Rome

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Day 1

Rome – Welcome to the Eternal City and Enjoy an Introductory Exploration

Rome is a city with intrigue around every corner, whether it be ancient stones or Baroque fountains. Church domes and bell towers create an elegant skyline with marbled palaces that once stood on the outskirts of the city center now hidden among the antique residential buildings. Gelaterias grace secluded piazzas and restaurants fill the streets with the aromas of fresh pasta with a tomato sauce that has simmered for hours. Upon your arrival, your private transfer will meet you at Rome Fiumicino Airport and escort you into the city. Once in the city center, you will settle into your hotel that overlooks the cobblestone streets between Moses Fountain and the Piazza Repubblica.

Your hotel was established in the late 19th century, making it nearly brand new in comparison to the décor of the city. Your guide will meet you in the lobby eager to be the first to show you the remarkable sites of Rome as you walk along the open neighborhoods. Make your way first to the Spanish Steps, a structure of elegant marble that connects the lower Piazza de Espana with the upper-level Trinita dei Monti. The church of Trinita dei Monti looms over the stairway with a grand façade erected in the 16th century. Frescoes crafted by Daniele da Volterra grace the interior, the most notable of which, Deposizione, fills the second chapel to the left of the main door. In the evening, university students and couples sit on the marbled stairway and linger in the soft tones of the street lamps to enjoy the vibrant life of Rome.

Accommodation

Transfer

Tour

Dinner

Day 2

Rome – Uncover the Ancient Heart of Rome and the Wonders of the Vatican

In the morning, the water continues to flow out of the Trevi Fountain as it cascades beneath the towering figure of Oceanus, over the rocks, and into the waiting pool below. You can hear the water splash down before you see the Baroque figures waiting around the corner. The pool has been emptied of coins, and in the early hours of the day, you can have a moment of quiet as you listen to the quiet trickle of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct before the bustle of the morning with Palazzo Poli acting as a backdrop to the famous fountain. After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel ready to lead you into the depths of the empire’s ancient center.

The Colosseum casts a dramatic figure against the backdrop of Palatine Hill as the structure remains one of the most notable images of ancient Rome with its outer four-story walls that reach a height of 157 feet. The edifice was completed in the 1st century AD and housed remarkable games, holding up to 50,000 spectators at once. Your guide will lead you through the arcades of the nearly 2,000-year-old structure as the aroma of rich earth emanates from the stone. You can look down into the hypogeum, a two-story underground labyrinth where gladiators once trained and cages filled with exotic animals were once stored.

You can practically hear the battles once fought in the stadium, with the crowds’ chanting echoing off the walls. The remainder of the day takes you around the Roman Forum and into the Vatican Museums before you step onto a vintage tram. A live band sets the soundtrack for the evening to blend Italian favorites with classic Rock and Roll, along with the seasoned sounds of Dean Martin to fill the car with music. The tram will lead you back to the Colosseum where your day of touring began to enjoy the fun sounds, elegant aroma of small dishes, and stunning outline of the Colosseum at night.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 3

Rome – Travel Beneath Rome on a Catacombs Tour and Tiber River Cruise

The ancient Roman road, known as the Appian Way, once traveled more than 400 miles to the port city of Brindisi on the Adriatic Coast. The street enabled easier movement for Roman legions as they traversed the countryside and merchants as they traveled to and from Rome. After breakfast, you will venture to a national park which preserves up to 10 miles of the ancient roadway. Verdant grass borders the old paving blocks outside the center of Rome as the aroma of chestnut trees lingers in the air.

A church was erected over the spot where Peter had a vision of Jesus and Roman monuments continue to decorate the roadside. Strolling along the road brings a sense of tranquility and history, combining the beauty of the natural landscape with the Roman’s eagerness to tame the elements. Tombs of ancient Romans rise out of the ground like signs, projecting glitz and glamour in both life and the afterlife. Venture into the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, the daughter-in-law of a Roman nobleman as the cylindrical tomb stands on the hillcrest and was erected in the 1st century BC.

Beneath the rolling landscape, you will find the catacombs of ancient Christians scattered around narrow, miles-long tunnels. The air cools significantly to contrast the warmth of the sunlight outside the catacombs. You will touch your fingers to the wall, and its supports remain sturdy. The Catacombs of San Domitilla are the oldest of the burial sites, with more than eight miles of subterranean galleries and approximately 80 painted tombs. You will find a 2nd century AD fresco of the Last Supper along the passageway with the colors still vibrant after nearly two millennia.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 4

Rome – Visit Ancient Ostia Antica and the Elaborate Churches of Rome

The morning market at Campo de’Fiori opens to the fanfare of both locals and visitors. Flower stalls radiate color, and herbaceous fragrances with blossoming hydrangeas and roses as produce such as eggplant and oranges provide layers of pleasant aromas alongside artisan honey and fresh baked bread. Your guide will meet you after breakfast and escort you to the former port city of Ostia Antica, which once thrived with as a commercial center with more than 60,000 residents. The ruins contain docks, warehouses, apartments, and mansions that offer insight into the lifestyle of the Roman Empire.

The city was founded in the 7th century BC due to its proximity to the salt flats, later becoming an important port in the 5th century BC. The gridded streets lead north, south, east, and west, and your guide will point out the different tiers of the city. The ground level rose over the years, causing the city to elevate the streets as every lane or home that you walk by into dates back to at least the 1st century BC.

The scent of fresh grass has long overtaken the aroma of the seaside as the mouth of the Tiber filled with silt in the centuries earlier. The crescent theater could hold up to 2,700 spectators, and the top row offers a view to the current excavations across the archeological park, including the remaining columns of the Temple of Ceres. In the summer, visitors from across Italy arrive at Ostia Antica to enjoy concerts held inside the ancient theater, and the acoustics remain pristine. Upon your return to Rome, you can visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the largest church in Rome specifically dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 5

Rome – Wander through the Medieval Town and Historical Villas of Tivoli

The town of Tivoli is the most famous town of the Sabine Hills, notable for its medieval architecture and opulent villas set along the limestone ridge of a ravine. The cold waters of the River Aniene meander along the basin and continue to shape the landscape outside of Rome. The hilltop town has been a favorite escape for Romans for thousands of years due to the cooler climate and fresh air found outside of the city during summer. You will make your way to the hilltop town and stop first at the renowned estate once belonging to Emperor Hadrian. In the distance, you can see the soaring figure of the bell tower that belongs to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo as it rises above the cypress trees. The hills slope downward outside of the historical walls as oak and chestnut trees grow with emerald leaves and sporadic olive groves line the countryside.

The villa was erected in the 2nd century AD and decorated with architectural styles that the emperor found enticing during his exploration of the empire. Caryatids decorate the Canopus and statues depicting Egyptian gods stand beside the Roman imitations of the Greek figures. Classical Ionic columns rise along the edges of the manmade lake as the dome, and main buildings have Corinthian columns which highlight the Roman architectural style. Wandering through Hadrian’s gardens offers a stunning insight into the rich tastes of the Roman emperor, along with the remarkable artwork preserved through time, including various copies of Greek statues such as the Wounded Amazon.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 6

Casperia – Discover the Charming Countryside of Lazio en route to Casperia

In the morning, you will set out into the countryside of Lazio to leave behind the traditional structures and Baroque embellishments of Rome. The aroma of freshly baked brioche changes to the aromatics of the olive groves that will soon surround you. Chestnut trees grow along the rolling plains of north Lazio that spread from Rome to the hills on the horizon. You will reach the village of Fara Sabin, located at an elevation of more than 1,580 feet above sea level, making it the highest village in the Sabine Hills. The area was first settled between the 9th and 6th centuries BC before the Roman Empire conquered the region.

The origins of the contemporary town date back to the 6th century AD, under Lombard rule. The castle was erected in the 11th century and soon became the Abbey of Farfa, one of the most recognized medieval religious buildings. Charlemagne protected the Abbey at the height of his empire. The refurbished library contains more than 60,000 original manuscripts and volumes of from Western Europe, including a collection of the first books ever printed. In the village of Castelnuovo di Farfa, you will find a beautiful olive museum that traces the history of the fruit that continues to dominate the landscape. The galleries showcase a rare collection of antique oil processes as the creamy scent of the olive oil lingers in the galleries.

Accommodation

Transfer

Tour

Breakfast

Day 7

Casperia – Reveal the Cultural and Village Gems of the Sabine Hills

Wake up in the peaceful town of Casperia, located in the province of Rieti and the medieval architecture will shine along the hilltops as they are lined with old cobblestone streets and a relaxed pace. The aroma of olive oil fills the town with boutique shops decorated with artisan bottles from orchards that speckle the countryside. The ancient walls continue to surround the city as they have for thousands of years and small cafes set out chairs in the main piazza to offer a traditional breakfast of brioche and espresso.

Today you will visit the small towns along the Sabine Hills, following the road that leads to a carved out rock at the Hermitage of Saint Cataldo. The medieval church was erected in the 10th century and retains an element of surprise as you find the structure carved into the cliff side that was once used as a defensive post in battles throughout the Middle Ages.

By the time you reach Orvieto, the town will feel like a metropolis as the medieval piazzas offer views to the Umbrian Valley. Brick walls and cobbled streets create one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe, positioned atop a nearly vertical cliff of tuff, surrounded by defensive walls. Etruscan ruins and crypts honeycomb the precipice as the Tiber River sweeps along the base of the hills below. The Gothic façade of the church includes four pillars an array of mosaics surrounding the elegant rose window.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 8

Rome – Depart for Home

Much like the villages of the Sabine Hills, the Arch of Janus is a historical monument nearly forgotten by time. The significance of the 4th century AD structure made from brick and pottery shards is still not completely understood. The edifice stands more than 52 feet tall and contains a stone at the apex of the arch depicting Minerva. After one last morning of enjoying your surroundings, your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to Fiumicino Airport for your direct flight home.

Transfer

Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Wander through the hidden labyrinth of the Colosseum’s hypogeum where gladiators once trained and waited for battle
Stroll beneath the grounds of the ancient Roman highway during a tour of the remarkable catacombs
Witness the former grandeur of the famous port at Ostia Antica, a once thriving maritime city connected to Roman trade
Enjoy an evening on an antique tram accompanied by live music and a view of the Colosseum at night
Relax with a quiet dinner on a Tiber River cruise in view of Rome’s treasured monuments
Experience the opulence of Tivoli while visiting the wondrous estate of Emperor Hadrian’s Villa, which includes preserved Roman copies of ancient artworks
Visit the medieval Hermitage of Saint Cataldo, which was built into a cliff along the Sabine Hills
Bask in the local culture and quiet ambiance of the medieval towns built upon the Sabine Hills
Delight in an olive oil tasting in the charming village of Casperia in a province known for its farming and olive oils

Detailed Description

The splendor of Rome goes beyond the remains of the former empire and into the city towns and villages outside of the city, forgotten with time and overlooked by passersby. Your 8-day tour will take you through the olive orchards and hillsides of Lazio, as well as beneath the streets of the Eternal City for an immersive tour of impressive imperial monuments and traditional medieval streets. Your journey will begin with your arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport. Your private transfer will escort you into the historical heart of the city for an introductory tour of Rome’s open-air sites, including the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.

The next day you will enjoy a private guided tour of Rome’s ancient heart, from the Roman Forum to the Colosseum, including a secluded view of the hypogeum. In the afternoon, you can traverse the halls and galleries of the Vatican Museums to witness the treasured art and artifacts collected by the Holy See over the centuries. After your tour, hop aboard an antique tram for an evening of small dishes, free-flowing wine, and live music with a shifting backdrop of the city’s famous monuments. Enter next into the preserved Appian Way Regional Park to traverse the ancient road and old catacombs of the former empire.

In the evening, you will board a river cruise to indulge in beautiful dinner while on the Tiber. Wake the following day for a fabulous tour of Ostia Antica, the former port city of Rome. Wander among the layers of the former city to find the majesty in the remaining art and architecture. Upon your return to Rome, you will visit a number of prestigious churches known for their history, mystery, and artistic allure. Venture next to the town of Tivoli to explore the medieval castle and marvelous villas, including the Renaissance estate of Villa d’Este and the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s Villa. The next day, you will exit Rome and make your way by private transfer to the villages that dot the Lazio countryside.

Move next to the Civic Museum of Rieti to view the collection of Roman armor en route to the province of Farfa. Relax in the open air and serene panoramas of the hilltop villages before you reach Casperia. The next day, continue your discovery of the enchanting medieval towns and villages of the Sabine Hills with visits to Greccio, Cascata delle Marmore, and the town of Orvieto, located atop a steep cliff. Conclude with your return to Rome at your leisure with your private transfer ready to escort you to Fiumicino Airport for your flight home.

Starting Price

$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

Accommodations
In-country transportation
Some or all activities and tours
Expert trip planning
24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 284 reviews

Italy Vacation Review: Florence, Venice, Tuscany, Siena, Cooking Class, Tasting Tour, 9-Day Trip

From the moment we began working with Zicasso's trip planner, our every need was met. He listened and planned an epic trip based on our conversations. Then, for our trip, we worked with another trip planner who was extremely responsive and professional, especially when we were in Italy. Any questions we had were promptly answered. Everything they planned was pure luxury and fantastic. The private pick-ups, drivers, and tour guides were absolutely prompt and fantastic. Every tour was super-fun and informative. Highlights included the wonderful hotels, food tour in Florence, tour in Venice, cooking class, and tasting track in Tuscany. I would highly highly recommend. It was a five-star, wonderful trip!

Italy Trip Review: Rome, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, Tuscany, Private Tour, Vatican, Colosseum, Cooking Class, Organic Farm, Cheese Making, 8 Nights

Overall, this may be too much, but we were happy to have written it down as it allowed us to relive the experience. This was a wonderful trip and we absolutely recommend Zicasso and our travel agent. We are already thinking about our next adventure in Italy. Here are the details...

Planning: Zicasso’s travel agent did a wonderful job of helping us plan a trip, making adjustments and ensuring the adventure turned out perfectly. We interviewed several approaches to planning the trip and our choice with Zicasso’s tour company was the right one for us. The trip app was great and kept everything right at our fingertips. We will definitely reach out to this travel agent when we return to Italy.

Food: How is it that when we stopped on the highway to Florence for a coffee, the food was as good as any high-end restaurant in the United States—organic, fresh, and tasty. One of our crew is gluten sensitive in the United States… in Italy, it’s not the gluten, it’s the chemicals used in the United States. We ate bread at every meal and had no problems. We learned that more simple fare is better fare and just amazing. No need for exotic tasting of cheese, bread, wine, pasta, salad, olive oil, vinegar, with fresh vegetables in the sauce, is all one ever needs… until the gelato at least twice a day.

Logistics: The logistics were great and absolutely essential for first-time travelers. There were guides and drivers to meet us at every stop. They seemed to know what we looked like and were just so very helpful.

Guides: Great choices across the board! Their knowledge and love of their various cities was detailed and charming. It was clear that each city fancies itself as the origin of culture and much more. We loved the perspectives and personalities of the people, and of our guides in Rome, Florence, the Tuscan farm, Venice, the Venice water tour, and Pompeii.

Drivers: Our three drivers, especially the one who got stuck with us on the way to Florence due to an auto accident. He really had an extended day and we really appreciated his patience. We got to know him a little and he was delightful.

Travel by train: It was so easy, fast, and comfortable. We loved the time together and the scenery. The added benefit of the lounge made a big difference from the busyness of the train station. We loved this, all at 300 km/h!

Hotels: The hotels were exactly as described—centrally located, convenient, and very comfortable.

Rome: The best beds and staff!

Florence: The best location—convenient to shops/cafés and breakfast.

Venice: Great location, with window views of the canals; it was very nice, but a bit dated in decor in the lobby. We would still stay there next trip!

Planning and sites visited: Overall, each of the cities and sites were outstanding. They gave us a great insight into Italy as a country, as well as its culture and people. Everyone we engaged with (including hotel staff, restaurants, and locals) was friendly, helpful, and engaging. The pervasiveness of English speakers was incredible. Our single-language approach is something we need to work on in the United States! We always felt safe and well taken care of. The added benefit of this support was that it allowed all of us to focus on the city and countrysides, not the driving. It may cost a bit more, but we felt it was totally worth it.

Roma: Here is the only mistake we made in planning our trip. Doing the Vatican and ruins/Colosseum in the same day is too much. This was clearly our decision and our travel agent suggested that it was “a lot.” Having said that, the pre-purchase and guide is clearly the way to go in whatever city you visit. The three sites are incredible.

Pompeii: We thought this would be neat to see, but not as amazing as the other sites…we were wrong. Pompeii is an incredible site and the pace of the tour was just about right for us. This is a place where you can walk the streets where people have walked since long before Christ. The opulence of their living (steam baths, frescos, statues, and mosaics) is incredible.

Tuscan countryside: The organic farm and cheese-making visit, including a quick trip to Pienza, was an absolute highlight. The lunch was fantastic and inspired us to eat organic! We also loved that to get to the farm you had to travel on gravel roads (well maintained, by the way) and got to see working farms.

Pienza is a beautiful, small village where we could spend an entire day exploring. Next visit, we will carve out a day to shop there and spend the night. There was so much to do in a limited time!!!

Florence: It's just beautiful. The work by Michelangelo just defies explanation and leaves you breathless. The churches are a monument to the wealth and dedication of generations of craftsmen engaged in centuries of work. The cooking class was wonderful and fun, and there was so much food. Making your own tiramisu, pasta, chicken dishes, and sauces was just wonderful.

Venice: We skipped the gondola ride because the tour of the Grand Canal was just incredible. Some of us were a bit spooked by the narrow “streets” or, better yet, passageways. However, we all loved the tour and exploring. One of our crew took off later in the day after the tour and tried to get lost… successfully. But with a bit of iPhone maps and the kindness of the people, they found cafés, open-air markets, an antique shop, children playing football, and a delightful adventure.

Italy Travel Review: Turin, Rome, Puglia, Florence, Food Tour, Winery, Museums, History, Art, Culture, 2 Weeks

Zicasso's travel specialist asked for our interests, to which we replied history, art, food, and wine. When queried about accommodations, our preferences were that they have character and be varied. Our expectations were exceeded.

We were two couples who had a spectacular survey trip of Italy. Our agent addressed our request for history by arranging private tours with expert guides. We visited multiple eras: ancient times at the Egyptian Museum in Turin and the Colosseum in Rome; medieval times at the Medici palazzos; Byzantine times with views of the frescoes in Puglia; and modern history during a delightful food tour of Turin that featured historical cafés renowned for their political meetings and plotting.

We indulged in a smorgasbord of art and history, as it is readily available wherever you journey in Italy. The guides and drivers were knowledgeable, pointing out treasures in the palazzos, the Vatican, the public squares, cafés, the cathedrals, and churches. Food tours featured cheese, capicola and truffle tasting. Multiple types of wines and vineyards were sampled, the settings varied and the offerings enjoyed.

Accommodations could not have been better chosen. We enjoyed staying at a converted fortified monastery and a historic 16th-century palace. We appreciated the sunset over Turin from the upper deck of the hotel and enjoyed hidden privacy in Rome in our suites.

During the trip, our guide shepherded this complex trip and promptly addressed any issues that occurred (delayed trains and coordinating tour guides). Unequivocally, each tour was unique and well picked by our agent. We strongly recommend this agency to help you have a fantastic trip to Italy!

Italy Tour Review: Vatican, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pompeii, Tuscany, Venice, Cheese-Making Experience, Cooking Class, 13 Nights

Zicasso's travel agency far exceeded our expectations. We had our five-year-old and 11-year-old children with us, so the tour guides and walking needed to be kid-friendly.

Our hotel in Rome was wonderful, the location was perfect, and they had good A/C and a breakfast buffet. There were plenty of great restaurants within easy walking distance, as well as the Vatican.

Our tour guide for the Colosseum and Roman Forum was great. Pompeii was amazing. Our tour guide was basically a celebrity down there and knew exactly how to take us around the ruins without ever waiting.

Tuscany was our favorite by far. We did a cheese-making experience and lunch that was super-cool. The kids got to play with the farm animals and the owners were so attentive and interesting. We did a cooking class with a chef that was the kids' favorite thing on the entire trip. I would make a point to book this experience; the kids still talk about it and wear the aprons around the house. The resort in Tuscany was nice. We had our own private pool, plus the resort pool, and could easily walk to a small local town with some great food.

Venice was good, but probably our least favorite on the trip. You have to walk a ton, which was difficult for the kids, but it's still worth experiencing.

We travel a bunch and I would highly recommend using Zicasso's travel partner.

Italy, Greece 45th Anniversary Review: Rome, Athens, Santorini, Florence, Colosseum, Vatican, Parthenon, Walking Food Tour, Tuscan Wine Region, 10 Nights

We enjoyed all of the planned tours in Italy and Greece. Favorites included the Vatican, Colosseum, Roman walking food tour, and a day exploring the Tuscany wine region.

We loved all of our hotels (favorites being our hotel on Via Emilia in Rome and then our hotel on Nikodimou Street in Athens). All of our drivers at our various locales were always on time, even early, and were friendly and engaging.

We did have various questions come up and any time of day/night, Zicasso's travel professional and the tour company were responsive and so helpful.

Our long-awaited 45th anniversary trip came off seamlessly. I appreciate all of the time and planning that went into planning our venture. I will happily recommend you to our friends and family.

Italy Tour Review: Amalfi Coast, Cooking Class, Farm Visit, 20 Nights

A number of items on the itinerary were not provided. We did not go to the puppet museum. The food tour was poor. We did not stop at a town on the Amalfi Coast. The hotels were nice.

Zicasso in the News

Secrets of Rome and The Sabine Hills Tour

What to expect on this itinerary

Countries Visited

Places Visited

Suggested Duration

Customizable Itinerary

Rome – Welcome to the Eternal City and Enjoy an Introductory Exploration

Rome – Uncover the Ancient Heart of Rome and the Wonders of the Vatican

Rome – Travel Beneath Rome on a Catacombs Tour and Tiber River Cruise

Rome – Visit Ancient Ostia Antica and the Elaborate Churches of Rome

Rome – Wander through the Medieval Town and Historical Villas of Tivoli

Casperia – Discover the Charming Countryside of Lazio en route to Casperia

Casperia – Reveal the Cultural and Village Gems of the Sabine Hills

Rome – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

Detailed Description

Starting Price

What's Included

Verified Traveler Reviews

Customizable Itinerary

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