Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center

It would take multiple lifetimes to see all that Rome has to offer, so we've distilled our most-requested sights into a single day of sightseeing - plus, added private, air-conditioned transport between major sites to make things even more comfortable and efficient. It may not cover everything - but it's a very good start.

You'll begin the day overlooking the Roman Forum, learning the history of this once-bustling commercial center and the Empire that it controlled. Then you'll head over to Rome's most iconic symbol; the Colosseum. Skipping the long entrance lines, you'll spend a full hour inside, hearing the story of this immense arena and the gladiators that once fought here. Of course there was a lot more happening here than movies would suggest. Your guide has the full story on the many uses of the Colosseum; from execution ground to dramatic stage.

From there you'll stroll into the historic city center to see some of Rome's most impressive public sights. Mingle with the street artists in the shadow of Bernini's fountain in Piazza Navona; admire the giant oculus in the dome of the Pantheon; and, of course, throw a coin (or two) over your shoulder at the Trevi Fountain to ensure you'll make it back to Rome.

After that, your guide will give you recommendations for lunch spots before reconvening at the Vatican. Here you'll save hours with skip-the-line tickets, diving directly into the Vatican Museums to discover some of the world's most important art. From treasured ancient artifacts like the Apollo Belvedere to immense Renaissance frescoes, you'll soak up thousands of years of art and history. With your expert guide on hand you'll also hear the stories that bring these masterpieces, and the men who created them, to life.

The highlight of the Museums is, of course, the Sistine Chapel with its incredible frescoes painted by Michelangelo. Before you visit this room your guide will teach you all about Michelangelo and give you a handout with details of the frescoes and what to look for. This way you'll have 15 - 20 minutes of peace to soak up what is possibly the world's greatest work of art.

From the Sistine Chapel you'll enjoy one last benefit of a guided tour: a special door into St. Peter's Basilica that allows you to skip the infamously long entrance lines. They'll walk you through and give you an introduction to the huge church and its artworks (you can't miss Bernini's altar or Michelangelo's sculpture), then you'll be left to explore its wonders for yourself.

Encompassing all of the most popular sights in Rome and covering thousands of years of history - with private, air conditioned transport between sites - this tour will give you an unprecedented scope and understanding of the Eternal City while showing you some of her most impressive attractions. You'll also save hours of time otherwise spent waiting in line or navigating a foreign city: so you're guaranteed to make the best of every moment you have in Rome.