DAY 01 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – PANORAMIC ROME – HISTORIC CENTER – PANTHEON
Meeting at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal at the time specified by our guide. After luggage drop-off, passport, and check-in procedures, departure for Rome at 07:40 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1861. Arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport at local time 09:20. We head to the city center with our waiting vehicle and get a panoramic introduction to the monumental fabric of the Eternal City reflecting different eras along the way. Upon reaching the city center, we start our walking tour with Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps; passing through the historic streets around Via Condotti and Via del Corso, we reach Trevi Fountain, known as the Trevi Fountain. After discovering the Baroque face of Rome with our guide's narrative, we visit the Pantheon, one of the most impressive structures of Ancient Rome with its dome standing for about two thousand years and the oculus opening at its center. After getting acquainted with the lively atmosphere of the historic center along Piazza Navona, the surroundings of Sant'Eustachio, and Campo de' Fiori, we give free time. Meeting at the time specified by our guide and transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Rome.
DAY 02 CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS – ANCIENT ROME – VATICAN MUSEUMS – ST. PETER'S BASILICA
After breakfast, we start our full-day tour. Our first stop is the Capitoline Museums located in Piazza del Campidoglio, arranged by Michelangelo. After seeing Ancient Roman sculptures, bronzes, and important works of the imperial period, we watch the panorama of the ancient city from the section of the museum complex overlooking the Roman Forum. Then we see the Colosseum and Roman Forum surroundings panoramically via Via dei Fori Imperiali; we get to know the political, religious, and daily life center of the Roman Empire with our guide's narration. Continuing our tour, following a short lunch break, we proceed to the Vatican Museums. Passing through the Pio-Clementino collections, the Gallery of Maps, and the sections permitted by the visit route, we reach the Sistine Chapel; we see one of the most important masterpieces of Renaissance art on-site with Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and The Last Judgment. We continue our Vatican visit with St. Peter's Basilica. In the monumental interior of the basilica, we examine Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's bronze Baldachin, and the magnificent main area under the dome with our guide's narration, and discover the importance of the structure in terms of art, architecture, and Christian history. After the visit, we see St. Peter's Square and, after free time, meet at the time specified by our guide and transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Rome.
DAY 03 SAN PIETRO IN VINCOLI – MICHELANGELO'S MOSES STATUE – GALLERIA BORGHESE
After breakfast, we first head to the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli in the Monti district of Rome. In the basilica, which is one of the important religious structures of the city with its history dating back to the 5th century, we see the chains symbolizing the captivity of St. Peter, as well as the famous Moses (Mosè) statue made by Michelangelo for the tomb monument of Pope Julius II, accompanied by our guide's narration. Afterwards, we proceed to Galleria Borghese located within the Villa Borghese gardens. During our visit, which we will carry out with a timed reservation, we examine Bernini's masterpieces that transform marble almost into a living surface, Caravaggio's powerful chiaroscuro technique, and the collection's distinguished Renaissance and Baroque works. After the museum visit, we leave the remaining part of the day free for you to discover Rome at your own rhythm. Guests who wish can shop or spend time in the squares and cafes in the historic center. Meeting at the time specified by our guide and return to our hotel.
DAY 04 CASTEL GANDOLFO – NEMI – ISTANBUL
After breakfast, we complete our hotel check-out procedures and move to the Castelli Romani region with our luggage. Our first stop is Castel Gandolfo, overlooking Lake Albano. Following the historic center known for the traditional summer residence of popes and the lake view, our last stop is Nemi, located on Lake Nemi. After free time for wild strawberries, the symbol of the region, and local products, transfer to Fiumicino Airport. After ticket and luggage procedures, departure for Istanbul at 20:00 on Turkish Airlines flight TK1864. Arrival at 23:35 and end of our tour. Hope to meet on our next tour.
