Rome | Viator Travel Blog

Rome’s Gladiator School

9. October 2009

The Gladiator School (Scuola di Gladiotori) in Rome is nestled very appropriately off the ancient Roman road of the Appia Antica, where cars and buses still roar over the original paving stones that make up this ancient via. The school is like a genuine little fortress, complete with its wooden ramparts constructed from sharpened wooden logs.

Tips for Visiting Rome with Kids

6. September 2009

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Perhaps you’ve heard that Rome isn’t the most hospitable place for children and families, but don’t be fooled! Families with children of all ages will find no shortage of interesting family-friendly activities around nearly every corner in Rome.

Viva la Summer: Rome

15. July 2009

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Haven’t heard of Viva la Summer? Here’s the deal - as part of Viator’s celebration of summer 2009, we’re pointing a spotlight at top summer destinations around the world. This week’s featured destination is Rome, Italy (see below for some of our favorite things to do in Rome). The first order of business: we’re pleased to honor our Viva la Summer traveler of the week. This week it's Mike and Natalie from the USA.

Vatican Confidential: Behind the Scenes of the Guided Tour Industry

30. June 2009

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Vatican Confidential: Behind the Scenes of the Guided Tour Industry

Personally I have rarely been tempted to take guided tours. The times I have were usually accidental; faced with some complicated monument in the depths of India, an ageing guide has approached me and very softly urged me to take a tour at a wonderfully reasonable price. This is the sort of guided tour that possess a little travel exoticism. But I recently had a rare insight into the big business industrial tours of Rome, the Vatican and its huge museum.

Rome Photo Tour: Advice from Pro Photographers

17. June 2009

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Rome Photo Tour: Advice from Pro Photographers

If you are at all like me you have a pretty cool camera and you just love taking pictures. But none of them look like they would make it into National Geographic, and you really can't put your finger on exactly why. It's not that you don't go to interesting places, or take enough shots, or try hard enough. There's just something missing. That's how I feel most of the time when I look at my travel photos. Lately I've been feeling better though, and it's because I took one of our photography walking tours in Rome.

Vatican Tours - Which One?

22. April 2009

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It's no secret that the Vatican is one of Rome's (and the world's) most famous - and most crowded - attractions. The art, the sculpture, the architecture, the history - a tour of the Vatican is basically a tour of western history (the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly) over the past 1,000 years. The downside, of course, are the long lines to get into the Vatican. This is a story, though, with a happy ending. There are many 'skip-the-line' tours to the Vatican, where for a small fee you can (literally) skip the hours-long lines.

Ancient Rome: A Beginner’s Guide

15. April 2009

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Most visitors to Rome want to scratch beneath the surface of the Roman Empire, probably the most important historical aspect of Rome. That’s why an itinerary exploring Rome’s ancient past is something that should be a part of every visit to Rome. Here are a few of ancient Rome’s essential highlights.

Easter Week in Rome, Italy

6. January 2009

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Holy Week in Rome. There are very few examples of Pageantry with a capital 'P' grander than Holy Week in Rome. The Pope himself delivers several masses between Palm Sunday and Easter, and tens of thousands of pilgrims and fellow travelers are on hand to celebrate with him. The following will give you an idea of what's going on and when for Easter Week in 2009.

Angels & Demons in Rome

21. November 2008

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I love it when a book I've enjoyed is turned into a movie, though I've just discovered an even better way to extend my enjoyment: the official tour. And this one -- the Angels & Demons tour in Rome -- is so good the movie's producer (Ron Howard) and star (Tom Hanks) have both done it... and loved it, which is not hard to understand. Although the story starts in Geneva (at CERN), almost all the action is in Rome.

Ancient Rome on 5 Denarii a Day

3. October 2008

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Editor’s Note: Ken’s been at it again, reading books and filing reports. Read his last book review about Stonehenge, or settle back and enjoy Ken’s wise insights into the life of ancient Rome. I do a lot of traveling (the evidence is here and here), so a new book from Thames & Hudson caught my eye. [...]