There's a way to see Rome like a tourist, and then there's the way to mine ancient sites like a true explorer.
Guests of Gran Meliá Rome Villa Agrippina are privy to a private three-hour walking tour that digs deep into the brilliance of Rome, where layer by layer, an expert guide from the prestigious tour designers, Imago Artis Travel, peels away centuries worth of history. Guides range from archaeologists to university art historians, so strolling the streets of the city has a decidedly "when in Rome" point of view.
Imagine yourself in the midst of the Italian Renaissance at the Via dei Coronari, named for the ubiquitous rosary bead vendors, (coronari), whose stalls lined the street in the Middle Ages. It's the same street where 16th-century painter Raphael resided at No. 124 during the peak of his career creating elaborate frescoes and large figure compositions. Today, the same block is noted for its antique shops and art galleries.
A private tour of the Vatican gives visitors access to places usually closed to the public.
In Campo dei Fiori, which literally translates to "field of flowers," what was once a meadow is now home to one of the city's most lively marketplaces. The tour also includes the Piazza Navona, originally built as a stadium for chariot races. The sheer magnificence of its larger-than-life statues never fails to dazzle and delight. Your tour guide will point out Bernini's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or Fountain of Four Rivers, telling you the history of one of the most famous fonts in Rome. Placed in the square in 1651 on commission by Pope Innocent X, the statue was unpopular with the townspeople who were taxed on bread and other goods to pay for the grand centerpiece.
An insider's invitation to the Vatican gives access to places usually closed to the public, including the Bramante Staircase, carved out of stone by Donato Bramante, Rome's chief architect in 1505, and the Niccoline Chapel, where access is usually reserved for dignitaries and visiting members of the clergy.
It's an insider's view of Rome that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
To learn more about Gran Meliá Rome Villa Agrippina or to book the walking tour of Rome, please contact the concierge upon making a reservation.
