Skip the crowds and step into ancient Rome on this immersive 6.5-hour excursion from Civitavecchia. Enjoy comfortable round-trip transportation from the port, accompanied by a professional driver and an expert licensed guide who brings the city's history to life. This experience includes audio headsets for clear commentary and skip-the-line access to both the Colosseum and Roman Forum, allowing you to head directly to the security entrance. An optional fixed-menu lunch at a local restaurant is available upon request, though lunch and gratuities are not included.

Your journey begins with a scenic transfer from the port to your meeting point, where you'll be introduced to your guide and the day's itinerary. From there, make your way to the iconic Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built. While skip-the-line access allows you to bypass long ticket queues, please note that a short wait at the security checkpoint may still be required. As you explore this legendary structure, your guide will share fascinating stories of gladiator battles, public spectacles, and the engineering brilliance that has allowed the Colosseum to endure for centuries.

Continue past the Arch of Constantine and into the heart of ancient Rome at the Roman Forum. Once the center of political, commercial, and social life, this sprawling archaeological site spans over two thousand years of history. Walk among the ruins of significant landmarks such as the Roman Senate, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, and the site associated with Julius Caesar, while gaining insight into Rome's powerful past.

Your tour concludes with free time to further explore the Roman and Imperial Forums at your own pace, including a visit to Palatine Hill. Overlooking the city, this historic hill is steeped in legend and is believed to be the birthplace of Rome. You may also choose to climb Capitoline Hill for panoramic views or relax with a traditional Italian lunch at a nearby restaurant.

This enriching excursion is perfect for history lovers eager to experience Rome's most iconic landmarks up close.

Please Note: All guests' full names and passport numbers MUST be provided above in the appropriate field at the time of booking, due to the Colosseum entrance policy. Bookings placed without the required information will not be confirmed.

Exclusive Ancient Ephesus

Meet your professionally trained guide and drive to Ephesus, approximately 30 minutes from Kusadasi. Famous in antiquity for its Temple of Artemus during the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. You will start your 90 minute Ephesus tour at the upper Magnesia Gate, and work your way down through the city, ending near the ancient Harbor.

Along the way, you will see the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, Temple of Artemis, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika, and the Great Theater, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period. With your skip-the-line access, you can fully enjoy these sites, which have played host to events as varied as Paul and his sermons to the Ephesians, to concerts by Sting, in part due to their remarkable acoustics.

You will walk along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession. You will hear stories of Alexander the Great, the Virgin Mary, and many other famous visitors who walked the same marble streets that you are walking. As you depart the Ephesus site, you will be able to view the hilltop ruins of the Basilica of St. John in the distance, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by Emperor Justinian.

Returning to the town of Kusadasi, guests will have the option to end their Ephesus tour in the shopping area, where they can attend a Turkish carpet explanation and explore the shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leatherware, and copper goods, or both. Turkish salespeople expect you to haggle and quite often you can get 10-15% off the listed price. Treat it as an adventure. The cruise pier is a 5-10 minute walk from the main shopping area.

Guests not wishing to attend the optional carpet shopping should stay on the bus and they will be taken directly back to the pier.