Rome History Tour: The Colosseum to Pompeii

Begin in Rome, the centre of the ancient world. Stay in a centrally located five-star hotel, with early access to the Colosseum for a private guided tour of the arena floor before the day’s crowds arrive. Continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where your guide will bring the city’s political and architectural story to life.

Over the following days, visit Castel Sant’Angelo, once Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, and the vast Baths of Caracalla, a reminder of how Romans merged engineering with daily ritual. Explore the Appian Way, the Villa of the Quintilii, and the frescoes of Palazzo Massimo, each offering a different window into the empire’s culture and power.

A flexible day allows for further exploration of your choosing – perhaps Ostia Antica, the Capitoline Museums, or the Ara Pacis – before an evening at leisure in the city.

Take a high-speed train to Naples and check into a centrally located hotel overlooking the bay. Begin at the National Archaeological Museum, home to treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum – mosaics, frescoes and sculptures that give insight into various aspects of Roman domestic life.

The following day, spend a full day in Pompeii with a private archaeologist guide. Explore villas, streets and public spaces that remain remarkably preserved after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Private access to lesser-known areas offers a deeper look at the daily routines, artistry and beliefs of the city’s former inhabitants.