RMV-01 CASTELGANDOLFO AND POPE SUMMER RESIDENCE

Italy boosts a wealth of beautiful countryside and the area surrounding Rome is no exception. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and you will set out on a relaxing drive across rolling hills and lush farmlands, dotted with beautiful villas and palaces. You will reach Castel Gandolfo, a pretty hill-town perched high above Lake Albano, which the Popes have chosen to build their summer residence. Take a short stroll in this lovely medieval town and enjoy a typical local lunch with plenty of home-made wine. After lunch you will head to Rome along the old Appian way, one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic.

The monumental tomb of Cecilia Metella is one of its main and most impressive sights. Erected for a Roman noblewoman, the daughter of a general who lived in the time of Julio Cesar, the mausoleum is "a stern round tower of other days, / Firm as a fortress, with its fence of stone, / Such as an army’s baffled strength delays, / Standing with half its battlements alone, / And with two thousand years of ivy grown" as Lord Byron so romantically expressed it.

Drive by the catacombs, a curious underground maze of tunnels hollowed out of volcanic rock, where the earlier Christians, persecuted by the Romans, would bury their dead, the baths of Caracalla. Expect to pay approximately 08.00 euro per person for admission to the Catacombs. Kindly take note that the admission fee includes a guided tour with a local guide. They may not be using a microphone that is why we suggest that you stay as close as possible to the guide to better hear what (s)he will be saying.

Drive bye the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia before you reach your hotel.
Read about the site

Highlights:

- Castelgandolfo and the papal summer residence
- The old Appian way and the tomb of Cecilia Mettela
- The baths of Caracalla, the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia

Notice:

Complete information including our phone numbers, meeting time and place are included in your confirmation voucher.
Please give your voucher to the driver at the end of the tour. We hand select our drivers and tour guides in order to give you the ultimate experience. We would love to hear from you after your tour is completed.
Your feedback is very important to us so please Send email

Important information

- This tour includes a professional informative English-speaking driver. Due to strict Italian laws & regulations that protect officially licensed guides, our drivers cannot walk with you into any site but can answer any question you have from the vehicle. A professional licensed guide, where needed, can be hired on request at an extra cost.

- Please dress respectfully when visiting religious monuments; local custom requires covering knees and shoulder.

- Comfortable walking shoes recommended.

- The tour sequence may be altered to avoid congestions but always covering mentioned sights.

- Keep an eye on your wallet and purses at all time. Do not wear jewelry or carry large amount of cash.

Inclusions

- Professional informative English-speaking driver
- Private vehicle with pick up and drop off at your hotel
- Flexible itinerary

Exclusions

- Lunch
- Admission fees
- Tips to driver and guide ( please read below for more information)

Gratuities

Tips are never included in our quotes.
I think that a tip shouldn't be included in the rate otherwise it would be a tax.
Tip only if you really liked the service.
Tips are a personal gesture and are given whenever the client feels it is necessary.
Tips are generally: 10% not bad - 15 % great - 20 % best tour in my life. Please report any abuse.

Is this tour private?

The tour is private, just for your party.

Is the driver also a guide?

Our English speaking drivers are NOT licensed guides. In order to provide you with the best-in-class service, our English speaking driving guides have been trained to offer our clients a nice overview with information regarding the major highlights avoiding the expensive charges of hiring a private guide. Due to strict Italian laws & regulations that protect officially licensed guides, our driving guides can comment and explain the sights only from inside the vehicle, but are not allowed to do so once they are outside the vehicle. They are regularly licensed instead to chauffeur the public. We highly recommend that you never book with any touring company that does not make this clear.

Does the driver go with us inside the monuments?

No, only a licensed guide is authorized to accompany you during the visit of sights. Our driver will  drop you off close to the sights but will stay with the vehicle for the duration of your visit.

Does this tour include lunch and admission fees to sites?

No tickets or lunch are not included in the rate. Please contact our office for pricing and reservations.

Does it include a guide?

No guide is included in the rate. If you choose to visit the catacombs, a local guide will be included in the cost of the ticket ( approx. 8 euros/person to be paid extra)

Is it possible to visit the Pope's Villa and Gardens?

The Pope's Apostolic Palace and Barberini gardens are open to public, but tickets would have to be pre-purchased. Please contact our office for pricing and reservations.

What is the duration of the tour?Can we extend the time upfront with the driver?

The duration of this service is 5 hours, including pickup and drop off at your hotel in Rome. If you would like to add extra hours to your tour, please contact our office so that we can check the driver's availability and advise the cost. 

Is the itinerary flexible?

Our itineraries are completely flexible, and we will be happy to operate any changes to the original itinerary (within reason). Please contact our office with all the requests you may have so that we can better organize your day.

Is gratuity included in the price?

Tips are never included in our quotes .We think that a tip shouldn’t be included in the rate otherwise it would be a tax!!! Once in Italy do not feel as though you have to tip everyone because someone told you to. Tip only if you really liked the service. Tips are generally: 10% not bad 15 % great 20 % best tour in my life. Please report any abuse.