VATICAN CITY
The world’s smallest country is home to one of its finest collections of art, the largest archeological collection, and to the world’s largest church. Negotiating the labyrinth of the Vatican Museums we will weave a narrative which begins with the martyrdom of St. Peter in the Vatican field, and which takes us through Constantine’s legalization of Christianity, through the violence of the Middle Ages, and into the glorious reign of Julius II, the building of new St Peter’s, and into the theatricality of the Baroque.
ANCIENT ROME
From the legend of the city’s foundation by Romulus, to the expansion of Rome across the Mediterranean and beyond, and ultimately the implosion of Empire, traces of the city’s history lurk around every corner. Explore Rome’s ancient history with these itineraries. Explore sites which are both world famous and those which are less well known, all of which offer a fascinating insight into the thousand years and more which we call “Ancient Rome”.
VATICAN CITY
The world’s smallest country is home to one of its finest collections of art, the largest archeological collection, and to the world’s largest church. Negotiating the labyrinth of the Vatican Museums we will weave a narrative which begins with the martyrdom of St. Peter in the Vatican field, and which takes us through Constantine’s legalization of Christianity, through the violence of the Middle Ages, and into the glorious reign of Julius II, the building of new St Peter’s, and into the theatricality of the Baroque.
ANCIENT ROME
From the legend of the city’s foundation by Romulus, to the expansion of Rome across the Mediterranean and beyond, and ultimately the implosion of Empire, traces of the city’s history lurk around every corner. Explore Rome’s ancient history with these itineraries. Explore sites which are both world famous and those which are less well known, all of which offer a fascinating insight into the thousand years and more which we call “Ancient Rome”.
MEDIEVAL ROME
Unravel the history of Jewish Rome with a visit to the Jewish Ghetto and walk the medieval streets of Trastevere to visit the medieval churches of Santa Cecilia and Santa Maria in Trastevere, and their gleaming mosaics.
RENAISSANCE & BAROQUE ROME
The Galleria Borghese is an elegant jewel box filled to bursting with gems of ancient, Renaissance and Baroque art. Works by Raphael, Bernini, and Caravaggio exemplify the decadence of Rome's Renaissance and Baroque past.
OUT OF TOWN
From Tivoli to the ancient port of Ostia Antica, voyage outside of Rome to explore all that Lazio has to offer. Whether a full-day excursion or half-day visit, these tours are perfect for first time and repeat visitors.
Week 20
As mentioned in Week 19's post, last week saw me floating around the Bay of Naples and down the Amalfi coast to Salerno. It was wonderful, places normally jam-packed in July were quiet (though not melancholy or deserted), and glad to see us. Positano. Friday...
Week 19
This week I’m taking a break from my jolly Zoom talks (my group talks start again on 29th July with a chat called “Breaking Rules and Squeezing Pediments: Bernini, Borromini and the Baroque”), and the gradual return of some onsite tours. Last week saw me showing...
Week 18 – “Nostalgia Canaglia”
Week 18? I had to double check. Things feel pretty normal in Rome at the moment, which in itself feels ominous: the calm before the storm, or an even keel? I say "normal": there are still masks, temperature checks, and hand sanitiser everywhere, none of which is...