Rome: a journey into Roman times, Half-Day Semi-Private Tour

About this tour

Walk through Rome's imperial past on this three-hour semi-private tour of the Palazzo Massimo and Diocletian's Thermal Baths. Your guide reveals sculpture and frescoes from Empress Livia's gardens, painted bronzes like the Old Boxer, and intricate mosaics across both sites. Duck into the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli to see the 17th-century planetary sundial—a clever device the Pope used to track seasonal time. Groups stay small (max 12 people), so you'll move past crowds without sacrificing depth.

Highlights

• Sculpted bronzes and marble statues from imperial villas and estates
• Frescoes and garden mosaics from Empress Livia's private quarters
• Diocletian's restored thermal complex with soaring barrel-vaulted ceilings
• Planetary sundial engineered for papal timekeeping in the basilica
• Underground passages and worship spaces beneath the modern city
• Small-group access to world-class art away from peak crowds

What to expect

Expect a steady, three-hour walk through connected museum galleries and archaeological sites. You'll start in the Palazzo Massimo examining portrait busts, painted pottery, and delicate mosaics up close. Next, cross into the sprawling Thermal Baths complex—a quieter space where Michelangelo's Renaissance restoration blends with Roman engineering. Finally, step into the basilica to admire the ingenious sundial built into its marble floor. Your guide contextualises each piece within daily Roman life. Note: you'll cover significant ground and navigate some uneven surfaces and basement corridors.

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