Best of Istanbul and Rome

2 Port Package

4.7 / 5 | 227 Reviews

This package includes: Classical Rome, and Exclusive Wonders of Istanbul

Price: $288.00 Sale Price: $270.00 Save: $18.00

Choose Options My Cruise Itinerary

1Classical Rome

2Exclusive Wonders of Istanbul

Classical Rome

Shore Excursion Size

Standard

Shore Excursion Type Scenic, Cultural, Historical

Shore Excursion Duration 8 Hours

Activity Level

Difficult

Shore Excursion Leaves From

If you are arriving by cruise ship, a 10 to 15-minute shuttle ride is required to reach your departure location. Guests staying in hotels in Rome must arrange their own transportation to the meeting location. Full details will be provided in your electronic ticket upon confirmation.

Food/Beverage Provided Not Included

Recommended Dress We recommend wearing comfortable seasonal clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses. If you plan on entering St. Peter's Basilica, please be advised that a strict dress code is enforced. All guests must dress modestly and have their shoulders and knees covered to enter the basilica.

Restrictions Participants must be able to step in and out of the vehicle and walk for approximately 3 to 4 miles over cobblestone, dirt, or uneven paths. Guests should be in good physical health to take this tour. This tour is not wheelchair or walker accessible, and is not recommended for guests with mobility issues.

Classical Rome Tour

The day begins with a journey from Civitavecchia to Rome, where you'll visit Vatican City, the seat of the Catholic Church. Upon arrival in Rome, you'll first see the entrance to Vatican City, which serves as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and is home to the Pope and a wealth of iconic art and architecture. Next, you'll proceed to the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica, allowing you to admire this Renaissance-style church from the outside. Following your visit to St. Peter's Basilica on St. Peter's Square, you'll have some free time to explore the Vatican souvenir shop and browse for gifts.

A view from the bus as it goes past the Tiberin Island, Trastevere, Circus Maximus and Palatin Hill, Caracalla Terme, Piramide, etc. Afterward, pause at the Colosseum. Proceeding from this point on, the walking tour will pass by the outside of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Venice Square, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Navona Square.

Your journey through Rome will take you past the historic Roman Forum, a site that dates back to the city's founding in 753 BCE on the Palatine Hill. Nearby, you'll find the Circus Maximus, an ancient arena where thrilling chariot races once took place. Measuring an impressive 2,037 feet (621 meters) in length, the Colosseum is undeniably a marvel to behold. Your guide will then lead you past the Capitoline Hill and the Victor Emmanuel Monument, also known as the Altare Della Patria. This monument was erected in honor of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, and features a statue of the king on horseback. Nearby, you'll see the Palazzo di Venezia, which served as the office for Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who delivered many of his speeches from its balcony, now named after him.

Next on the itinerary is a visit to one of Rome's most iconic symbols: the Colosseum. Constructed between 70 AD and 80 AD, the Colosseum holds the distinction of being one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Originally named the Amphitheatrum Flavium, or Flavian Amphitheater, it hosted gladiatorial contests, simulated naval battles, animal hunts, and even served as a venue for the execution of Christians. You will have opportunity to use your observation point to take breathtaking pictures of this Roman landmark.

Following your visit to the Colosseum, your group will embark on a walking tour led by your guide, passing by this iconic landmark. Continuing along Via dei Fori Imperiali, until you reach Venice Square, where you'll admire the stunning National Monument Altar of the Fatherland, erected between 1885 and 1935 to honor Victor Emmanuel II. Your walking tour will proceed from here, taking you to Trevi Fountain for a brief lunch break (lunch not included). Afterward, you'll pass by the Pantheon and Navona Square, where you'll encounter masterpieces of art at every turn, offering you multiple perspectives from which to discover and appreciate the beauty of Rome.

After an enlightening visit to Rome, you'll enjoy a scenic drive back to Civitavecchia, rounding off your unforgettable excursion in Italy. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore the wonders of Rome - book your tour today!

This tour does not include visits to the interiors of any attractions or landmarks. This tour is intended for guests arriving in Civitavecchia. While guests staying in hotels are always welcome, they are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the meeting location on the day of the tour. This tour is available in Spanish upon request. Please select your preferred language above when placing your booking. The tour may be presented in both English and Spanish. This tour can accommodate guests who are disembarking their cruise ship with luggage. You may bring luggage on this tour and leave it on the bus while touring. If you are disembarking your ship and do not wish to ride back to the cruise pier, the tour will end at the Justice Palace, Piazza dei Tribunali. All guests planning to return to the port should check with the guide for the shuttle's final departure time and location.

Exclusive Wonders of Istanbul

Shore Excursion Size

Standard

Shore Excursion Type Scenic, Cultural, Historical

Shore Excursion Duration 4 hours 30 minutes

Activity Level

Moderate

Shore Excursion Leaves From

Cruise Ship Pier

Food/Beverage Provided Not Included

Recommended Dress When visiting religious sites, shoulders and knees should be covered. The Blue Mosque is a place of worship, and women are required to wear a head covering when entering. Head coverings are available at the Blue Mosque entrance at no charge. There is no need to cover the face as the covering is meant to hide a woman's hair only. Comfortable, sensible slip-on shoes are recommended. Sunscreen and sun glasses are suggested

Restrictions Walking is over cobblestone, tiled and paved surfaces. There are a few steps at the entrance to Hagia Sophia.

Exclusive Wonders of Istanbul

This exclusive introduction to Istanbul tour includes an orientation drive and two of the big three sites: The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia.

After meeting your professionally trained tour guide on the pier, you will begin an orientation drive through the business center of the modern city, across the Galata Bridge, along the banks of the Golden Horn and under the Byzantine Aqueduct of Valens. Along the way, you will see the Suleymaniye Mosque, dedicated to Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. You will continue around the mighty city walls, which once protected Constantinople from the many invasions and attacks it incurred over the centuries.

In the Old City, your first visit will be to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, formerly known as the Byzantine Church of Divine Wisdom. Originally built as an Orthodox basilica, it later was used as a mosque. Built in 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, it served as the cathedral of Constantinople and was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. Upon the conquering of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453, Hagia Sofia became a mosque and was used as such until 1931. It was opened as a museum in 1935 until 2020, when it became a mosque once again.

Departing Hagia Sophia, you will next visit the world-renowned Blue Mosque finished in 1616. Sultan Ahmet I commissioned the Blue Mosque when he was only 19 years old. The interior of the mosque is lined with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles in more than fifty different tulip designs. The tiles at lower levels are traditional in design, while in the galleries they become flamboyant with representations of flowers, fruit and trees.

Next, visit the Hippodrome, originally the home of sports games in the Byzantine period. It is estimated that the Hippodrome of Constantine was about 1,476 feet long and 427 feet wide, and capable of holding 100,000 spectators. The track was U-shaped, and the emperor's box was located at the eastern end of the track.

You will be treated to an optional carpet demonstration with about 1 to 2 hours of shopping in the open (uncovered) section of the Grand Bazaar and the nearby covered area of the Grand Bazaar that dates to 1461. Well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops, it also has areas where stalls are grouped by the type of goods sold, such as leather coats or gold jewelry. What started as one main building has grown into a sprawling complex consisting of 12 major buildings accessed through 22 doors. It is thought to have more than 5,000 shops and stalls, two mosques, two hamams, and many restaurants and cafes. Explore the shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leather ware, and copper goods. You will then be returned to the ship pier. Your time at the Bazaar is enough for an introduction. This is not a "shopping" tour. For the serious shopper wishing more time in the Bazaar, you can end your tour here. Please let your guide know you are not returning with the group. Guests remaining at the Bazaar are responsible for their own transportation back to the pier.

Please note: The Blue Mosque is closed from 30 minutes before until 30 minutes after prayer time, and 2 hours during Friday noon prayer. The covered area of the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday; a visit to the Spice Market will be substituted. The carpet demonstration is optional and guests not wanting to attend can use the time to stroll, shop or purchase refreshments.