Cruises to Rome (Civitavecchia)

ROL Cruise recommends...

1. Travel back in time as you admire the Colosseum

Dating back to AD 80, the mighty Colosseum is the best-preserved monument of Ancient Rome. Back then, this enormous amphitheatre held an average of 65,000 spectators who would watch as gladiators fought – sometimes to the death! Take a tour or listen to an audio guide to gain a full appreciation of the venue’s murderous history.

2. Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain

Legend has it that anyone who throws a coin in Rome’s impressive Trevi Fountain is guaranteed to return to the city. Featured in many famous films (including Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita), the Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most popular sights. Rome was the birthplace of Baroque and the Trevi Fountain is considered a masterpiece in this style. Be sure to get a photo – the fountain at night makes for a particularly beautiful backdrop.

3. Visit Vatican City

The Vatican is the only country within a city, making Rome the capital of two states. Don’t miss the famous Sistine Chapel; when you step inside, look up and admire the Michelangelo masterpiece that has been painted onto the Chapel’s ceiling. Do also visit St Peter’s Basilica, a renowned work of Renaissance architecture and one of the largest churches in the world. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to see the Pope as he delivers a speech to crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square. Check www.papalaudience.org for details.

4. Admire artworks in the Borghese Gallery

Showcasing some of the very best Italian art, the Borghese collection is displayed across 20 rooms over 2 floors in a lavish villa. Highlights include paintings by Caravaggio (Boy with a Basket of Fruit), Raphael (Entombment of Christ), and Titian (Sacred and Profane Love). The Borghese Gallery is also home to many of Bernini’s lifelike sculptures, including Apollo and Daphne and Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius. As you wander through the gallery, take some time to admire the beautiful floor mosaics and elaborate frescoes too.

5. Go sightseeing in Rome’s historic centre

While away an afternoon exploring Rome’s historic centre and snapping photos of its beautiful basilicas, awe-inspiring architecture and fabulous fountains. Marvel at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major – its Renaissance coffered ceilings, Baroque exterior and Romanesque bell tower makes for a fascinating blend of architectural styles. Step inside the Pantheon and admire this impressive feat of engineering – almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. Don’t miss Bernini’s Fountain of Rivers either – situated in the busy Navona Square, it’s one of Rome’s most recognisable symbols.