Italy
Rediscovering Rome: Local Culture, Ancient Legacy & Modern Life
Program No. 22620RJ
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Rediscovering Rome: Local Culture, Ancient Legacy & Modern Life
Rediscovering Rome: Local Culture, Ancient Legacy & Modern Life
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Participant Reviews
Based on 35 Reviews
SHOWING
This was the trip of a lifetime. Beginning with the private tour of the Sistine Chapel, seeing the Pope addressing the crowd, all the ancient sites of Rome. We had excellent, diverse speakers each day. My personal favorite site was the Jewish Ghetto. The Biblical and WWII history were quite touching. The cooking class was fun! Our group of 20 was incredible. All so different and all so willing to learn and explore. Next time I would love to see a class on architectural design and gardens.
Our hotel was excellent. They accommodated us daily whether in small groups or large. Breakfast was amazing.
— Review left October 22, 2025
The private tour of the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel were experiences I will cherish the rest of my life. Bianca, our group leader was very knowledgeable and helpful when planning our free time.
— Review left May 30, 2025
This program was an incredible introduction to Rome! The program content, instructors, and group leader were first class.
— Review left May 30, 2025
I had been having some problems with my account and am assuming that that is the reason that I did not receive a review form for program 22620. I would like to submit a review.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this trip to others. It fit our needs quite well. My husband and I have been to Rome previously, but not on an official tour. He can not do a full day of activities, so the layout of a group activity and free time was perfect. Each day was set up and posted a full day ahead of time with group and personal time. Alessio was an excellent guide. His English was wonderful, vocabulary, diction, enunciation, everything excellent. He was quite attentive and very knowledgeable and generous with his information. We received maps of Rome on which he marked the hotel location immediately upon arrival. He also walked us through the neighborhood the first night to familiarize us with the location of shops we might need. He set us up on What's App pretty quickly so that we could easily communicate with each other. I believe we received three lectures (History of Rome, Baroque Art, Italy today) from Paolo Alei in the hotel. All were timed well, very informative and quite well organized. Paolo was an effective speaker. The fieldtrip lectures were a little more difficult. The movement and crowds made for multiple distractions both for the guides and the group members. I really do not have any suggestions for improvement. It just is what it is.
Our biggest problem was in trying to exit the forum after our tour and time on our own there. The signage was not the best, and I do not believe we had a map. My favorite tours were the Borghese Gardens (gardens as well as the statuary), the Pantheon, and the cooking class, which was very well executed. I also was thrilled to run across samples of all the marbles taken from throughout the empire at its height and to be able to view the Trevi Fountain at sunrise own.
— Review left May 13, 2025
The Roaming Rome program was EXCELLENT as was our group leader and all of our tour guides. We've never used a tour company; this was our test to see if we'd like to do a group tour. Now we know we'll go with Road Scholar again and would highly recommend them! They stand behind you all the way.
— Review left February 16, 2025
We had a wonderful guide for our trip, Enrica. she was very helpful and offered wonderful narratives. the only disappointing part of the trip was not having the after hours tour of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican museum. this after hours tour was the main reason that I signed up for this tour. This is the first time in 7 trips that Road Scholar has disappointed me.
— Review left November 15, 2024
the tour was exactly as advertised. we did, in fact, walk 2-5 miles a day, though at a leisurely pace. and the number of tour members (13) made it possible to generate friendships and share knowledge. Several had been on multiple Road Scholar trips.
— Review left November 12, 2024
This was an excellent program. The tour leader and almost all of the local experts were exceptional (the exception was the wordy motor-mouth at the Jewish Museum!). The highlight, of course was the two hours we spent in the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. That alone was worth the price of admission! The meals were good but not exceptional -- although the farewell dinner in a restaurant which was the location where Goethe stayed in the late 1790s was memorable because of its location. The location of the hotel was super, right on top of everything -- well, almost. And a good group of fellow travelers!
Carl
— Review left November 12, 2024
Rome is such a fascinating city with so much history. This trip was beautifully organized to introduce us to its many facets. We had a wonderful time and learned quite a bit.
— Review left November 6, 2024
I highly recommend this trip! It was informative and well-organized. Everything was top notch and I learned a lot and made new friends that I hope to travel with in the future!
— Review left October 22, 2024
We just completed our first RS trip and have decided we will choose RS for all future world travel as they greatly enhanced the experience. Certainly the best adventure of our lives - so far. Can’t wait for the next RS trip!
— Review left October 21, 2024
My husband agreed with my comments. Alessio I was always very helpful when we mentioned the difficulties that we had. He handled them immediately. He went above and beyond to make sure that our trip was great.
— Review left September 10, 2024
Bravo!
— Review left September 10, 2024
Roaming Rome is a delightful, carefully crafted trip that features all the "big hits" in a thematic style. I have only one suggestion -- The last day we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The lunch was near/in the modern museum. And then, we also had a "farewell" dinner. Too much food. On Saturday, there was only breakfast. My suggestion is this: Have breakfast and lunch on Saturday; and breakfast and farewell dinner on Sunday. The independent lectures were informative. Instead of a talk comparing Italy and the U.S., I would prefer to have learned about how Italy became a nation. None of my history classes focused on Italy (except for the Renaissance.) It's a mystery to me why the city-states survived for so long, and how one man managed to unite the country. Best wishes, Marcia Whitney-Schenck
— Review left June 5, 2024
Rome was great. The tour guides were all well educated and knew their material. The only downside was the hotel. Very old, in need of repair, mold everywhere and not attempting to correct the problem. Covid is on the rise in Rome, several of us tested positive.
I enjoyed the group and most of the dinners. The daily breakfast was nothing to rave about. No hot food.
— Review left May 31, 2024
Great intro to Rome— especially first time visitors-/ with knowledgeable and caring guides Be prepared for crowds, uneven pavement and the surprises that come with a bustling city. The guides will get you through— but this is truly an on your feet program. Lots of free time to customize your experience and central location of the hotel ensures access to many of the major sites and experiences.
— Review left May 27, 2024
Take advantage of the learning experience of a lifetime: you will not be disappointed. Whether it be in your own country or someone else's: there's a lot to see and do. Meet first timers or participants who have extensive travel experiences. Road Scholar has something for everyone (even grandchildren.)
— Review left April 29, 2024
The Rome trip was exceptional. The people in the group were educated and warm, and everyone got along
well.
— Review left April 25, 2024
The well-organized tour had a thoughtful structure, and daily guide Alessio Rosoldi was terrific. The other guides/lecturers were expert, as needed for a subject as vast as Rome. The mix of guided tours, classroom time, and free time was well-balanced. The private, after-hours tour of the Vatican Museum and the architect-guided stroll of the Jewish Ghetto were highlights. Although the hotel was a bit worn, it was in a strategic location and a good value. The included meals throughout the week justified the city’s reputation for good food. As always with Road Scholar trips, this one attracted interesting fellow travelers.
— Review left April 23, 2024
This trip did not meet my expectations. Firstly, we were warned that the schedule might change, but it changed too much. For example, on our first full day, the itinerary scheduled the Colosseum and Forum tour in the morning, so I booked a bike tour for 3-7. However, we had lunch first, although it was beastly hot, then the tour, so I only got to see the Colosseum. When we complained, the explanation was that the tickets had been bought a year in advance and they couldn't change them. Then why would Road Scholar provide the wrong schedule in the first place? There was a general disconnect between RS and the main guide. Did she not review the itinerary and work with RS to get it right? Plus, we had to walk to the sites instead of taking the promised van or taxi. This happened three times, when we were promised a taxi ride and had to walk instead. This would have been OK but it was beastly hot EVERY day.
I only enjoyed one meal and that was a bento bowl/salad thing. The rest was too pizza-and-pasta heavy with no vegetables. I could have had those if there had been something green.
Our main guide treated us like children and scolded those who might have been late for something instead of respecting us as the adults we are and using the phone or text to communicate. Our second main guide at various sites talked a lot about history but not enough about urban design in Rome (Sixtus V!) or its buildings. One can read history later, but the rest needs to be heard at the actual site. The best, and unfortunately last, guide talked about the features of various streets and buildings as we walked along--I wish she had been our guide the whole time. Finally, tours for nearby places were scheduled on different days, so we ended up traversing the same areas repeatedly. Tours should have been grouped like was done for Mussolini's Fori and MAXXI.
This was my first RS trip, but I won't use RS again. Instead, I will travel on my own and take individual tours and classes.
— Review left October 13, 2023
Roaming the Hills of Rome City Tour of Rome-is a vey active but stimulating tour. It is fun, the weather is gorgeous, the food delicious and the history of Rome is easily seen in all its glory in the historic district where our Hotel was located.
— Review left September 18, 2023
I was somewhat disappointed in this, my first RS trip. I felt that the severe temperatures (90-92) were given little consideration- should have been some stops, water breaks ( in shade) built in. Doing the forum & coliseum in one day was too much! Some of the info was too detailed, too much historical trivia. Some of the restaurants were poor - the Testravere one particularly- the fried artichoke blossoms almost inedible; the gnocchi was pretty tasteless. Our 50 yr.-old-guide was genial, but tall & set a fast pace- it was difficult, at times, to get pictures in, without being left behind. At one point, the group did move on without me. I searched for them for 1/2 hour in 91 degree heat without success. Thankfully, guide called me, & was able to direct me to lunch restaurant where rest of group had already finished the 1st course.
— Review left September 14, 2023
To quote one of our expert speakers..."3,000 years of history in just one week." (He actually said One hour.) Truly an educational experience.
— Review left September 13, 2023
A great introduction to Rome!
— Review left May 29, 2023
When I signed up for my program, Road Scholar team and website helped me prepare well for this big journey, from travel details to program plans. The days had just the right balance of relevant programs and free time to explore. The program's activity level was exactly as described. Going to the places with an expert guide in a small group was the perfect format as we had opportunity to ask questions and hear their personal perspectives. I will look for another Road Scholar travel program in the future.
— Review left May 23, 2023
Take This Trip! It was a wonderful week spent in beautiful Roma! I saw things I had never seen before (after two other trips there in recent years), and learned more about things I had seen before. There was just the right mix of scheduled time and free time.
— Review left October 29, 2022
This is exactly what I was looking for - a "stay put" but Rome-focused experience. It was wonderful and I would highly recommend to anyone with a similar interest.
— Review left October 28, 2022
What fun to spend a week wandering around the "Eternal City" with knowledgeable experts and lovely fellow participants. It didn't hurt either that every meal was delicious and the weather fantastic. What a blast!
— Review left October 20, 2022
The perfect pace and variety of experiences, some expected and some not, made this an ideal revisit to one of the most amazing cities in the world. I highly recommend this trip and the group of experts who led it.
— Review left May 30, 2022
Rome! What not to love!
— Review left April 22, 2022
Very good overview of main highlights which my wife enjoyed. (note: I have been in Rome many times over the last 55 years.) I did feel that the Vatican Museum and St Peters Cathedral were rushed by being on the same day. If they had been on separate days, these two staples of Rome could have been covered more in-depth. Staying at a very convenient hotel for the entire program was a definite plus. I also learned about a lot of new opportunities and attractions that we will visit on our next trip to Italy.
— Review left November 22, 2019
I am most pleased with the use of vans, rather than buses for inner city travel. The drivers were a delight (we all felt quite safe) and the vehicles comfortable.
The hotel was acceptable, not up to the standards of some other trips/locations. At least my room (on the 1st floor) needed attention to things like loose sink faucet, loose electrical connection/outlet at the wall and loose carpet stripping at the bathrm. door & way too noisy facing the main street below. The staff, however, was gracious and efficient.
As always, I am so impressed with the quality of the guides and lecturers... all brainiacs and with delightful personalities!
Pamela Martin~
p.s. How could I forget...the Vatican Museum was one of the most horrible experiences ever...the crowds, OMG...take that off of your tour itinerary...it definitely wasn't worth the time to be herded like cattle to the slaughterhouse...yuch!
— Review left May 15, 2019
I found the physical demands of the program challenging, but I knew what I was getting into. I often used the free time to rest.
— Review left May 14, 2019
Very easy to navigate.
— Review left May 14, 2019
This was my third tour with RS and more than a dozen trips to Europe. It accomplished what I had hoped as Rome is a challenging city for a first time visitor.
The tour director for my trip was excellent and attended to a variety of the partipants requests and comments with speed, clarity and concern.
The hotel accommodations were less impressive.
Overall, the concept of visiting a major city with structure and multiple options for free time are good.
This trip accomplished much for me but could be improved for everyone’s benefit.
— Review left February 17, 2019