Insight Vacations Italian Escapade – Day 2: Rome with Local Historian
Insight Vacations Italian Escapade – Day 2: Rome with Local Historian
Insight Vacations Italian Escapade – Day 2: Rome with Local Historian
WJ Tested: Insight Vacations Italian Escapade 12-Night Motor Coach Tour – Included Tour of Rome with Local Historian
The first morning of our Insight Vacations Italian Escapade tour started at the Hotel Kolbe Rome. Although Tour Director Mark had arranged for a 7:00 am wake-up call, ours actually rang early… at 6:40 am. The included breakfast buffet at the hotel for our group was open at 7 am in the same area as dinner the previous night. The selection was plentiful and the staff continued to replenish the hot and cold buffet items.
Insight Vacations Italian Escapade Tour – Fast-Track into Rome’s Colosseum
We met Mark and fellow passengers in the hotel lobby for the prompt 8:15 am departure with local historian, Elsa, and tested our VOX systems before leaving for our morning guided tour of Rome. Our first stop of the morning was at the Colosseum for a guided tour – this way we would beat the rush and crowds of thousands of tourists that would swarm this ancient monument within the next couple of hours.
Rome – Did You Know?
- Rome is one of the oldest cities in Europe, founded in 753 BC on Palatine Hill
- Was built on a defensible hill, one of a group of 7 hills
- Became a republic in 510 BC
- Became an empire after Julius Caesar’s rise and fall in the first century BC
- The fall of the Roman Empire was 476 AD
- Golden age of Rome was in the 2nd century AD
- Is known as “The Eternal City”
- Is located on the River Tiber
- Is the capital of Italy, with nearly 3 million population within the city limits
- Trastevere is where Rome originated
The Colosseum in Rome, Italy
The drive from our hotel to the Colosseum was short (15 minutes) and as our Insight Vacations tour group had Fast Track reservations we jumped the regular lines and entered at 8:50 am with our local guide. Elsa spent 25 minutes with us as we toured the interior and learned the history and happenings of this incredible structure. Then we had about 35 minutes free time to wander by ourselves and take photos.
Colosseum – Did You Know?
- Holes on the outside of the Colosseum indicate where metal was used to reinforce the structure
- 1348 earthquake opened up walls of the Colosseum
- It once had a roof
- There were 80 entrances so it only took 30 minutes for 50,000 people to find their seats
- Took 8 years to build with 10,000 workers
- Gladiators could buy their freedom if they won enough – but most died
- Didn’t always kill good gladiators
- Slaves came from being prisoners of war
- Best slaves were educated Greeks
Arch of Constantine
After leaving the Colosseum we met up with our fellow passengers in front of the Arch of Constantine (from 350 AD) for a group photo by a professional photographer – nice touch.
Circus Maximus Ancient Roman Chariot Racing Stadium
Returning to the coach and driver, Alberto, by 10:05 am our tour continued through the city. We passed the double arched aqueduct (from the era of Roman Emperor Claudius) and the 2 marble columns that are a memorial to September 11, before reaching Circus Maximus (where the chariot races in Ben Hur were filmed) for a photo stop. At this point we could also view the site of the real Caesars Palace, on a hill overlooking Circus Maximus.
St. Peter’s Square at Vatican City
Our drive to the Vatican took longer than anticipated due to the busy traffic and huge holiday crowds (it was May Day in Italy) but by 10:30 am Alberto was able to drop us close enough to walk to St. Peter’s Square. Elsa explained that the Vatican has been a State since 1929 because the Pope lost temporal power; at that time Italy was divided into many states.
Interesting Facts – Vatican City State:
- State of the Vatican is a country
- Was founded on February 11, 1929
- Is situated on 44 hectares (100 acres)
- Has only 600 citizens and 800 residents
We spent almost 90 minutes at the Vatican and around the square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. Elsa and Mark made sure we were there just in time to see Pope Francis bless the more than 100,000 people that crowded St. Peter’s Square. It was almost 11 am when the Pope appeared and the throngs of people there to see him were incredibly excited – even those of us at the back of the crowd could catch a glimpse of Pope Francis on the big screens that were set up in the square. Then Elsa and Mark showed us to a nearby shop and cafe where we could purchase souvenirs, drinks and sandwiches before meeting Alberto and the coach for the drive across the city towards the Spanish Steps.
Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy
Our included morning tour finished at 12:15 pm and the rest of the day was free for us to explore Rome on our own, or there was an optional walking tour that carried on for the afternoon with Elsa and Mark. We opted to continue on our own walking tour of the city, easily finding our way to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Parthenon and Piazza Navona before wandering back to Kolbe Hotel Rome by 4:30 pm (just as it started to rain).
Pantheon in Rome
Our day in Rome had been absolutely fascinating and we had seen so many incredible sites during both our guided tour and own explorations on foot. We decided to spend a relaxing evening at the hotel and prepare for the following morning when we would leave Rome and drive to Tuscany.
Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy
Next… Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
Previous: Insight Vacations Italian Escapade – | Tour Overview | Meet and Greet in Rome! |
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Note: WAVEJourney were guests of Insight Vacations for their April 30 – May 12, 2013 Italian Escapade tour. Read our full disclosure statement to see that this has no effect on our reviews.
