European Villa Rentals toursare for individuals who have maybe been to Italy before (or maybe not) but would like someone who is knowledgeable to arrange special services for them. The emphasis is on your privacy and luxury.

                   Who are we                       

The owners of European Villa Rentals are Americans who have been working with Italian companies for over 17 years. Whether it is a matter of finding a five star  restaurant on the Amalfi coast, finding the best time to see the light in Montalcino or individual cooking lessons on the island of Sardinia, we can arrange your ideal luxury Italian vacation.

What will we provide and charge

Services are arranged so that your desires, and privacy, are met. Whether it is Positano or Montepulciano the services can be constructed so that it meets your needs.  

SAMPLE TOURS

TOUR N° 1 – MONUMENTS OF ROME (MORNING) WALKING TOUR

PIAZZA DI SPAGNA - TREVI FOUNTAIN – PIAZZA NAVONA - PANTHEON

PRICE PER PERSON  € 31,00)

Duration: 3 hours approximately

Departure dates: every day of the year

Departure time: from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 8:30

N.B. On Sundays, after the Holy Father’s Blessing in piazza San Pietro, and on Wednesdays, during the Holy Father’s Audience, the visit inside the Basilica will not take place.

Description: The tour will leave from Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses’ Fountain, heading to Piazza della Repubblica, previously known as “dell’Esedra” as its central area also called Esedra of the Diocletian Baths is hidden now by the Fountain of Naiadi. We will continue towards Via Sistina where we’ll leave the bus to start our walking trough the ages, starting from the Spanish Steps and reaching Piazza di Spagna, with the famous fountain “la Barcaccia” realized from Pietro Bernini. Then the guided tour will lead you to the Trevi Fountain, a baroque jewel, and to the Pantheon (meaning "Temple of all the Gods"), a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets in the state religion of Ancient Rome. It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age. At the end of the tour we will finally reach the gorgeous Piazza Navona, built on the ruins of the Domitian’s Circus adorned by the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini realized in 1651. End of our services.

TOUR N° 2 – MONUMENTS OF ANCIENT ROME (AFTERNOON)

CAPITOL – ROMAN FORUM – COLOSSEUM (INSIDE) – BASILICA OF ST. PAUL’S OUTSIDE THE WALLS – SAN PIETRO IN VINCOLI

PRICE PER PERSON € 53,00)

Duration: 3 hours approximately

Departure dates: every day of the year

Departure time: March/October -  from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 15:00; November/February – from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 14:30.

Description: With this tour you will enjoy the splendour of the classic Roman Empire. Leaving Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses’ Fountain, we will head to Piazza Venezia. Crossing the square we will admire on one side the Memorial to King Vittorio Emanuele II and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After this ample view of an important part of the city, the guided tour will take you to visit the square of the Capitol, the result of Michelangelo’s architectonic and magic genius. Simple but stately, the square is the seat of Rome Town Hall, from here you will enjoy the unique sight of the Forum and of the Palatine Hill. We will then walk along the ancient pavement, which crosses the evocative ruins of the Roman Forum, the Curia, the Reggia. You will then admire the Temple of Vesta, the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Costantine. The tour will continue with the visit of the massive structure of the Colosseum (internal visit). Originally named Flavian Amphitheatre it is a giant amphitheatre used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. The amphitheatre, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire, was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian's reign. Finally we will reach and visit the church of St Peter in Chains admiring the Michelangelo’s famous statue of Moses .

TOUR N° 3 – VATICAN MUSEUMS (MORNING)

VATICAN MUSEUMS – SIXTINE CHAPEL – ST. PETER’S BASILICA

PRICE PER PERSON € 59,00)

Duration: 3 hours approximately

Departure dates: every day of the year (except religious holidays)

Departure time: 16^th November/15^th March -  from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 8:30; 16^th March/15^th November – from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 7:30.

N.B. Extended waiting time to enter into the Vatican Museums are possible during the high season.

Description: The purpose of this tour is the visit of the Vatican Museums and a large part of the Vatican City, one of the European microstates, situated on the Vatican Hill in the west-central part of Rome, Its borders closely follow the city wall constructed to protect the Pope from outside attack. Leaving the Piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses’ Fountain the itinerary will continue passing by Via Bissolati, Via Veneto and the Villa Borghese. After this ample panoramic view, we will visit the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Galleries (lines possible at the entrance). There you will admire the modern entrance built for the Jubilee 2000, the Galleries of the Chandeliers, of the Tapestries and of the Geographical Maps, the Sobiesky Hall and the Immaculate Conception Hall. We will then stop to admire the Sistine Chapel, seat of the Conclave, with the famous frescoes of Michelangelo. Passing inside the Vatican Museums we will arrive into the Basilica of Saint Peter, commonly called Saint Peter's Basilica, is one of four major basilicas of Rome. It is the most prominent building inside the Vatican City and built on the ruins of Old Saint Peter's Basilica. On wednesday, due to the Papal Audience, the church of St. Peter will be visited only from outside.

TOUR N° 3bis – VATICAN MUSEUMS (AFTERNOON)

VATICAN MUSEUMS – SIXTINE CHAPEL – ST. PETER’S BASILICA

PRICE PER PERSON € 56,00)

TOUR N° 4 – CHRISTIAN ROME (AFTERNOON)

BASILICA OF ST. JOHN IN LATERAN – HOLY STAIRS – CATACOMBS OF ST. SEBASTIANO - ANCIENT APPIAN WAY AND CECILIA METELLA’S TOMB (ON SUNDAYS THEY WILL BE REPLACED BY BASILICA OF ST. MARY MAJOR)

PRICE PER PERSON € 43,00)

Duration: 3 hours approximately

Departure dates: every day of the year

Departure time: March/October - from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 15:00; November/February – from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 14:30

Description: Leaving from piazza San Bernardo, crossing piazza della Repubblica, we will run along via Nazionale to end up visiting the Basilica of St. Mary Major, built on the Esquiline Hill in 352 A.D. The tour will then continue visiting the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, cathedral of Rome and of the world. Hence, we will go to the Holy Stairs, climbed by Jesus Christ to reach Pilate’s Palace. From here the tour will start again by coach, crossing piazza San Giovanni and via Latina. Skirting along the Mura Latine, the tour will pass through the Porta San Sebastiano to arrive on the Ancient Appian Way, where we will find the Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis”. We arrive finally at the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, where the visit will take about 45 minutes (on Wednesdays the visit will be at the Catacombs of St. Domitilla). On the way back, from the coach you will have a view of the Caracalla Baths.

TOUR N° 5 – TIVOLI AND ITS VILLAS (MORNING)

VILLA ADRIANA – VILLA D’ESTE

PRICE PER PERSON € 58,00)

Duration: 5 hours approximately

Departure dates and times: April/September – all week (Monday excluded) from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 15:00; October – all week (Monday excluded) from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 8:30; November/March on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday – from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 8:30.

Description: Going along via Tiburtina, we will get to Tivoli, a world-known small town since ancient times for its soothing spring of “Acqua Albulea! (sulphureous baths). Crossing the Ponte Lucano, we will admire the Tomb of Plautius Lucanus before arriving to visit Villa Adriana (from the parking till the entrance a walking distance of 300 metres has to be calculated) built under the homonymous emperor. We will continue our sightseeing with a visit of Villa d’Este, famous for its water system, the architecture of its gardens, the pavilions, the artificial caves and the fountains.

TOUR N° 6 – CASTELLI ROMANI (AFTERNOON)

CASTELGANDOLFO – GENZANO – NEMI – ARICCIA - FRASCATI

PRICE PER PERSON € 43,00)

Duration: 4 hours approximately

Departure dates and times: April/October – Tuesday and Saturday - from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 15:00.

Description: We will leave piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses’ Fountain, passing by piazza della Repubblica. Along the way we will admire the Caracalla baths, the Arch of Costantine and the Colosseum: this itinerary will take us on the Appia, passing under the Porta of San Sebastiano (this is the route used by the ancient Romans, who were going to the Castelli in the summer to enjoy the fresh breeze). Passing through Castelgandolfo, today’s summer residence of the Pope, we will arrive in ALbano and then Ariccia. From the large bridge of Ariccia we can admire a wonderful view of the hills and countryside. We will pass through Genzano, Nemi, Grottaferrata, Rocca di Papa and Frascati, there will be a stop to taste and enjoy the typical wines of this area.

TOUR N° 7 – OSTIA ANTICA

PRICE PER PERSON € 55,00)

Duration: 4 hours approximately

Departure dates and times: From April 1st to November 15^th – Every Sunday morning

Description: Ostia antica takes its name from the latin word ostium meaning mouth. Founded as a military base, it became an important commercial port for the supply of grain for Rome. Starting from Porta Romana and proceeding along the main road - Decumanus Maximus - we will visit the old metropolis and Piazzale della Vittoria. Next we will visit the baths of Neptune, one of the public services of the city constructed by Adriano and ornated with fine mosaics. Behind the Bath’s of Neptune, the Firemen’s barrack of the Adrian’s age. The visit will continue with the Theatre erected by Agrippa in the 1st century b.c. From the top of the staircase you have a beautiful view of the excavations. After having visited the House of Diana we will reach the centre of Ostia where we will be able to admire the Forum, the political centre of Ostia, the Temple of Rome and Augustus and the Baths. The excursion will end with a visit of the Basilica: a large aula in the form of rectangle encircled by an arcade, on the right side of which we find the Round temple dating from the 3rd century.

TOUR N° 8 – ROME BY NIGHT/PANORAMIC TOUR (EVENING)

TREVI FOUNTAIN – CAPITOL – IMPERIAL FORUM – COLOSSEUM – PALATINE HILL – VIALE TRASTEVERE – GIANICOLUM HILL – CASTEL S. ANGELO – ST. PETER’S BASILICA

PRICE PER PERSON € 40,00)

Duration: 2 hours approximately

Departure dates: every day of the year except 24^th and 31^st December

Departure times: from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 20:15.

Description: Sitting comfortably in a deluxe coach, we will follow a charming itinerary, witnessing the ancient origins and the successive cultural and historical stratifications, which characterize the city of Rome. Leaving from piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses’ Fountain, heading to piazza della Repubblica, we will pass by via Veneto, Palazzo Margherita, Porta Pinciana, Villa Borghese to arrive at the Trevi Fountain, where we will stop for a visit. We will then continue along via Quattro Fontane, where you will be amazed by the Fountain of the Four Seasons. From via Nazionale, descending towards piazza Venezia, we will see the Memorial to King Vittorio Emanuele II and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The itinerary will also touch the Capitol, the Imperial Forum, the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, the Aventine Hill, the Circus Maximus and the Tiberina Island. The visit will continue reaching the Gianicolum Hill, to admire one of the most beautiful panoramas of Rome. Finally we will arrive to the Basilica of St. Peter crossing the Tiber and finding by side the imponent fortress of Castel Sant’Angelo.

TOUR N° 9 – ROME BY NIGHT WITH DINNER (EVENING)

TREVI FOUNTAIN – CAPITOL – IMPERIAL FORUM – COLOSSEUM – PALATINE HILL – VIALE TRASTEVERE – GIANICOLUM HILL – CASTEL S. ANGELO – ST. PETER’S BASILICA

PRICE PER PERSON € 78,00)

Duration: 3 hours approximately

Departure dates: every day of the year except 24^th and 31^st December

Departure times: from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 20:15.

Description: Sitting comfortably in a deluxe coach, we will follow a charming itinerary, witnessing the ancient origins and the successive cultural and historical stratifications, which characterize the city of Rome. Leaving from piazza San Bernardo, adorned by Moses’ Fountain, heading to piazza della Repubblica, we will pass by via Veneto, Palazzo Margherita, Porta Pinciana, Villa Borghese to arrive at the Trevi Fountain, where we will stop for a visit. We will then continue along via Quattro Fontane, where you will be amazed by the Fountain of the Four Seasons. From via Nazionale, descending towards piazza Venezia, we will see the Memorial to King Vittorio Emanuele II and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The itinerary will also touch the Capitol, the Imperial Forum, the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, the Aventine Hill, the Circus Maximus and the Tiberina Island. The visit will continue reaching the Gianicolum Hill, to admire one of the most beautiful panoramas of Rome. Finally we will arrive to the Basilica of St. Peter crossing the Tiber and finding by side the imponent fortress of Castel Sant’Angelo. At the end of the tour, you will taste the traditional roman cuisine in a typical restaurant, accompanied by folk music.

TOUR N° 10 – CASTELGANDOLFO (MORNING)

ST. PETER’S BASILICA - CASTELGANDOLFO

PRICE PER PERSON € 45,00)

Duration: 4 hours approximately

Departure dates and times: Sunday only in coincidence with the Pope’s summer stay - from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 8:30.

Description: The destination of this interesting itinerary is placed in the Castelli Romani, outside the city. Panoramic tour of Rome and of St. Peter’s Basilica. Leaving the city, we will pass under the the Porta di San Sebastiano and, skirting the Circus of Maxentius, we will arrive on to the via Appia. Running along via Tuscolana, we will pass by Frascati, Grottaferrata and Marino, lovely little towns of the Castelli Romani. Driving on the via dei Laghi, we will arrive at the lake of ALbano and finally Castelgandolfo, summer residence of the Pope, where we will stop for the Holy Father’s blessing. Return to Rome.

TOUR N° 11 – PUBLIC AUDIENCE OF THE HOLY FATHER (MORNING)

PRICE PER PERSON € 35,00)

Duration: 3 hours approximately

Departure dates and times: all year Wednesday only - from the hotels TBA upon confirmation/from the agency at 7:15.

Description: Panoramic tour of the city: piazza san Bernardo with Moses’ Fountain, piazza della Repubblica with Fountain of Naiadi, via Veneto, piazzale Flaminio, via Flaminia, the Olympic Village, Ponte Milvio, Lungotevere, Foro Italico. Going along the Lungotevere towards Castel Sant’Angelo, we will arrive on the via della Conciliazione and finally in piazza San Pietro. We will go into the Nervi Hall to attend the papal audience. Return at the end of the audience.

E-mail

European Villa Rentals

13863 Perrin Drive

Carmel, IN 46032 USA

Phone & fax: 317-580-0838

Copyright ©2000 European Villa Rentals