2-Day Rome & Vatican Tour with Through Eternity Tours (Review)

by Vatican, Art, History & Music35 comments

I’m a sucker for history especially those that concern World Wars (NOT because I love wars), Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome — so you could imagine how incredibly excited I was when I finally had the chance to visit Rome in Italy early this year! (Through Eternity Tours)

FACT: When I was a child, I fell in love with the Romans’ controversial gladiator battles, as well as their grand engineering feats. Naturally, the Colosseum was high up on my must-see list, and when I finally saw it before me… I was blown away.

With that and the rest of the city’s breathtaking landmarks, ruins, piazzas, and fountains (among many others), you bet that Rome quickly became one of the top cities that I love. It is just soooo rich with beauty and history, that it can quickly enrapture any kind of traveler out there!

I only spent 3 nights there and it did feel short; despite that, I had a magical time. In fact, the icing to the cake for my whole trip was when Through Eternity Tours (website) took me on an exclusive 2-day private tour all over the city! For sure I could have toured the city by myself, but with an ancient city like Rome…? I knew that I needed an experienced guide that will help refresh my memory on all of the legendary events that took place there in the past.

I needed details, guidance, and a swell time — and I sure got it!

Exploring Rome with Through Eternity Tours

» About Through Eternity Tours

Through Eternity (website) has been in operation for over 17 years now. It’s quite apparent that over the years, they have gained the full satisfaction and trust of each of their customers!

With their experienced guides, they currently provide tours all over the following Italian locations.

Italy Tours

» My Experience: 2-Day VIP Private Tour

This is one of the most immersive tours offered by Through Eternity! Not only do you get to solo out a qualified guide and ask all the questions and recommendations that you would want to know as you explore the top highlights of Rome, but you also get to skip the long lines that plague the attractions such as that of the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum — yes, it’s a true-blue VIP treat!

I swear, I was extremely thankful that I picked Through Eternity because if not for them, I could have suffered long agonizing hours waiting in those lines — which would have been such a waste especially since I only had a limited amount of time to spend in the city.

Now, one thing is for certain: Through Eternity guides are flexible in these kinds of private tours. Depending on your interests or the amount of time that you want to spend in specific places, you can visit a certain spot on the itinerary for a shorter OR longer time. But to give you an idea of the standard itinerary that they have, the 2-day tour typically goes like the below.

Day 1

Rome Colosseum
Rome Trevi Fountain
  • Walk over to the Palatine Hill (that has great panoramic views overlooking the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, and the Roman Forum)
  • Walk through the ruins of the Roman Forum (see the Senate, the great temples, arches, and more of the places where people like Augustus and Julius Caesar made history)
  • Short break near the historic Capitoline Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome
  • Explore the vast amphitheatre that is of the Colosseum and learn of all its spectacles and gladiator history
  • Lunch near the Colosseum (recommended: Ristorante Naumachia)
  • Explore piazzas and famous fountains like Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Sant’Eustachio, Piazza Navona, Piazza Farnese, and Campo de’ Fiori.
  • Drop by Venchi for gelato or chocolates and witness their massive ‘chocolate waterfall’ — yep, you read that right!
  • See the stunning Pantheon and Hadrian’s Temple.

Day 2

Vatican
Bramante Staircase
  • Witness the imposing fortress of Castel Sant’Angelo (it has great panoramic views on top overlooking the Rome cityscape, especially that of the river and the Vatican).
  • Skip the long line and visit the Vatican Museums which boasts one of the greatest collections of art in the world (see the well-known galleries and beauties: Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms, etc.)
  • Lunch at a traditional Italian restaurant (your guide will suggest several places for you to choose from)
  • Continue onward to St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square.
  • If there’s still free time, explore the cobbled pathways and charming trattorias in the lively neighbourhood of Trastevere.

Tour Tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes since this is primarily a walking tour and there are areas in Rome with steps and uneven walkways.
  • When visiting the Vatican, there is a dress code wherein you’re required to keep your shoulders and knees covered. Large bags, backpacks, tripods and large umbrellas are not allowed inside the museums but these can be left at the museum coat check (which you can retrieve after visiting the basilica).
  • Large bags and items cannot be brought into the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. There is no coat check so there’s no place where you can leave your items. There are also security checks so it’s best to not bring any alcoholic beverages, glass bottles and spray canisters (example: sun cream etc.)
  • Be prepared in case the Basilica of St. Peter’s gets closed due to unscheduled closing and late openings due to religious ceremonies. These are often last-minute so you must be prepared for the chance that you won’t get to visit inside.

» The Tour Price

St. Peter's Basilica

As an in-depth experience, this 2-Day Private VIP Tour is worth $1,000~ (or € 970 / Php 53,000~) for 2 people and it includes:

  1. The 2-day itinerary mentioned above
  2. An experienced and professional English-speaking tour guide
    *Your guide will pick you up at your hotel as long as it’s in the city center
  3. Entrance, audio guides (if you want), and reservation fees to places like the Forum, Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Vatican Museums, and Castel Sant’Angelo. Besides, Through Eternity is connected with these sites and have acquired preferred entrance for their clients to skip the lines.

What’s not included? Food, drinks, and transportation fees. Rest assured, everything can be done on foot.

Obviously, it’s a luxurious affair but it’s definitely a fair price given all of the things that you will be doing and the perks that you’ll be receiving. I absolutely find it as a worthy price to pay if you’re seeking an exclusive experience as I did!

In a rush? You can see almost all of the important sights in just one day with the:

  • 1-day Private Tour of Rome = $485~ (or € 445 / Php 24,000~) for 2 people

On a budget? Don’t fret! Through Eternity has LOTS of other tours that will fit your needs. For instance, you can avail the following:

  • 3.5-hour Group Tour of Must-See Sights = $65~ (or € 59 / Php 3,200~) with skip the line access in the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill
  • 2.5-hour Group Tour at Night = $86~ (or € 79 / Php 4,200~) with skip the line access to the Colosseum, its underground area, and the Roman Forum

» The Tour Guide

Through Eternity Tours

My guide for my 2-day VIP experience in Rome was an amazing woman whose name was Gracelyn. She was a joy to be with, and as a fellow history buff, she gave me tons and tons of fun trivia and facts that I wouldn’t have learned if I did not go with Through Eternity — so thank goodness, I did!

In fact, I think it’s mostly because of this tour that I have swiftly fallen in love with Rome.

After all, every single thing that I laid my eyes on had gained new and deeper meanings, and with the ‘local knowledge’ and companionship that Gracelyn offered, I felt that I truly blended in with the Italian community all throughout my stay.

That being said, with the level of service that she had given me, I am sure that the rest of Through Eternity’s guides will have the same ‘magic touch’! Remember, they have stayed successful for over 17 years already and that means something.

» Rome & the Vatican as a Whole

Roma

As the famed city, I had high hopes for Rome when I first stepped foot on its soil. And well, I can assure you that those expectations were met — and even more!

There was just so much to do, see, and love about this city given its immensely rich historical heritage and the urban scene.

…Sure, I had a great and fulfilling tour that made me see the top highlights, but I still want to come back and spend a long time soaking it all in. So yes, I will definitely come back (and probably try a different Through Eternity kind of tour)!

• • •

Rome Travel Guide

» Best flight deals to Rome

My go-to platform for grabbing the best flight deals is Skyscanner. But of course, it’s always good practice to research first the budget airlines that exist in the country that you’re currently staying in since they could have rock-bottom prices that are not often visible in the above flight search engines.

There are 2 main airports in Rome: Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport and G.B. Pastine/Ciampino International Airport, with the former being the city’s main airport and the latter being the low-cost airline airport (ex: airlines of Easyjet, Ryanair, Wizzair, etc.).

» How to get to the Rome city center from the airport

From Fiumicino: by public taxi (flat price of €48 to city ring), by train (to Roma Termini central train station €14 via Leonardo Express), and by bus (cheapest option: take COTRAL bus to “EUR Magliana” stop at line B [Fiumicino-Porto-Magliana sign] and then take the Metro, cost of = €2.50 bus + €1.50 Metro).

From Ciampino: by public taxi (flat rate of €30) and by direct bus (arrives at Termini station in downtown Rome with cost starting at €4).

» Where to Stay in Rome

Luxury: Palazzo Manfredi
Mid-Range: Appia Antica Resort or AirBnB
Budget: Hostel Alessandro Palace & Bar

» How to go around Rome

By private car. Not advisable as the traffic can get chaotic.

By taxi. Take note that these taxis are white, and for them to be legit, they must have a taximeter and a taxi light. Now, they’re quite expensive but if you’re on a rush, cost starts at €3 and can go up to €27 in an hour. Flagging them down is possible but they prefer to take passengers via the taxi stands or by calling them up for booking.

By foot. Everything at the center can be explored on foot.

By public transportation. All of Rome’s public transportation networks use the same kind of tickets so you can buy passes like Roma 24H (€7), Roma 48H (€12.50), and Roma 72H (€18). You can buy these tickets from ‘tobacconist’ shops (with the big ‘T’ sign), newsstands, automated ticket kiosks, and ticket windows.  Single ride ticket costs €1.50 (valid for 100 minutes, meaning that you can change buses, trams and go in and out of the Metro in one journey within that timeframe).

» Helpful Italian Phrases

Hello (formal): Salve (sAH-lveh)
Hello (informal): Ciao (chow)
Thank you: Grazie (GRAHT-tsyeh)
Yes: Sì (SEE)
No: No (noh)
Goodbye (formal): Arrivederci (ahr-ree-veh-DEHR-chee)
Goodbye (informal): Ciao (“chow”)

Excuse me (formal): Mi scusi (mee SKOO-zee)
Excuse me (informal): Scusa (SKOO-sah)
I’m sorry: Mi dispiace (mee dee-SPYA-cheh)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Qualcuno parla inglese? (kwahl-KOO-noh PAHR-lah een-GLEH-zeh?)
Help!: Aiuto! (ah-YOO-toh!)
Cheers!: Salute! (Sah-Loot-eh)

• • •

Overall

If you want to discover and learn MORE about Rome in a way that will make the most of your staycation, Through Eternity Tours is definitely the way to go!

They have made mine as extraordinary as it can be, and I bet that they will do the same for you. Besides, with the wide range of unique tour packages that they have, there are various memorable adventures that will fit your fancy and that will make you bring home tons of stories to tell!

So what are you waiting for…?

• • •

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35 Comments

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  1. Censie Sawyer

    Well you pretty much planned this trip that I have been wanting to plan for years ! Thank you! ha! Seriously though, I am keeping this. These details are fantastic and I will be sharing with any of my friends or family that are planning a Italy trip.

    Reply
    • Aileen

      Oh wow, that’s great! Hope you or your friends/family can make those Rome travel plans come true — SOON!

      Reply
  2. Tami

    Oh, it’s on my travel buck list to visit Rome. The Vatican is magnificent but I’m sure it’s even more so in person. These are wonderful ideas for keeping me busy while I am there.

    Reply
    • Aileen

      And for sure, with Through Eternity, you’ll have a swell time!

      Reply
  3. Joely Smith

    Thank you for sharing your experience! I too would want at least a partially guided tour if I traveled to a place I was unfamiliar with. I know I would get to see things I would otherwise miss and be safer in traveling. I too have an affinity for history so I would have to do as you did and combine a love for travel with a love of learning!

    Reply
    • Aileen

      I’m glad you have the same thoughts as I have!

      Reply
  4. Nitin Khanna

    Wow! Great Pictures. Tips are very useful like your shoulder and knees should be covered. It’s useful while visiting at Rome. The all the tips help me a lot to make an plan about Rome : “What to do” and “What not to do”. Good to Read.

    Love to explore new things and travel on different places.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Aileen

      And for sure, Through Eternity tours will be more than happy to welcome you!

      Reply
  5. Rachael

    This is awesome – I’m planning a trip to Rome now and this is super helpful. Thank you :)

    Reply
    • Aileen

      I’m very happy to hear that! Hope this helps and enjoy your trip :D

      Reply
1 2 3 4

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