Getaway for the Day: Colosseum and Vatican Museums from Florence by High-Speed Train

Getaway for the Day: Colosseum and Vatican Museums from Florence by High-Speed Train
From USD $263.00
  • Duration: 12 Hours (approx.)
  • Product code: TFVATCOL

About the Tour:   

You'll meet our greeter at the Florence Santa Maria Novella train station and board the high-speed train to reach Rome Termini in just 1.5 hours. Once in Rome, you jump on a City Sightseeing hop on and off double decker bus where you'll see all the iconic spots in Rome. You'll get to the Colosseum for your first tour starting at 10:15AM.   Here you'll enjoy special skip-the-line access means you’ll get a thrilling, in-depth exploration of the iconic Colosseum and other sites of ancient Rome. At the completion of your Colosseum tour you jump back on the double decker bus taking you to the Vatican Museums stop. You’ll also get to see the wonders of the Vatican City, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, without waiting to enter. On each group tour, you'll be accompanied by an English-speaking expert in Roman art and history.

What Customers Love About This Tour:

  • Fast round trip train service from Florence to Rome 
  • Hop On and Off Double Decker Sightseeing Bus Pass in Rome
  • Convenience of getting both great must-see attractions in Rome 
  • Amazing semi private guided tours that show you in the artistic wonders of the Vatican Museums—including sumptuous ancient tapestries, maps, and sculptures
  • Gazing at Michelangelo’s masterworks: the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, and his sublime Pietà
  • Delving into the fascinating—and bloody—history of The Colosseum, the iconic amphitheater of ancient Rome
  • Discovering the hub of the ancient city, the Roman Forum—once home to bustling markets, festivals, temples, and senatorial debates—and the surrounding
  • Palaces of Palatine Hill

Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour Itinerary (semi-private guided tour; 2.5 hours):

Stop 1: The Colosseum

Meet your guide at 10:15 a.m. to check in for your afternoon group tour.   You’ll meet your guide near the entrance to The Colosseum—the extraordinary amphitheater was ancient Rome’s center of public entertainment. Before you enter, your guide will give you a thorough history lesson about the site, including the gladiatorial clashes, wild-animal fights, and mock-naval battles that were once staged here. Once you’re inside, you’ll wander remnants of the seating arcades that once fit 50,000 spectators.

Stop 2: The Roman Forum

Next, you’ll explore the onetime cultural, economic, and political center of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum. You’ll walk along the Via Sacra, tracing the paths of ancient military processions and political rallies. You’ll also see important sites like the Temple of Julius Caesar (where the emperor’s body was ceremonially burned), and the Curia Julia—the still-intact Senate House where Cicero and Mark Antony once orated.

Stop 3: Palatine Hill

According to legend, the twins Romulus and Remus first decided to begin building the city of Rome atop this impressive hill. You’ll understand why as you walk here among its ruined emperors’ palaces and still-blooming botanical gardens.


Vatican City Tour Itinerary (semi private-group guided tour, 3 hours):

Stop 1: The Vatican Museums

Meet your guide at 2:15 p.m. at the Vatican Museums, the guide will give you an overview of the history and art of the smallest state in the World.  At the entrance to the Vatican Museums—and skipping right past the long entry lines—you’ll walk through cavernous galleries filled with ancient sculptures, tapestries, maps, and Etruscan antiquities. 

Stop 2: The Sistine Chapel

The most famous frescoes in the world will greet you when you enter the jewel box of the Sistine Chapel. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the stunning Michelangelo masterpieces that have adorned a million picture postcards—including the nine central panels of the chapel ceiling, each depicting a tale from Genesis (the most famous being The Creation of Adam).

Stop 3: St. Peter’s Basilica (self guided)

This grand cathedral—one of the world’s largest churches, and one of its most sacred Catholic sites—sits atop the very spot where St. Peter was buried. On this self-guided part of the tour, you’ll see the church’s chapels and elaborately painted, multi-domed ceiling; also, Michelangelo’s remarkable Pietà—a sculptural depiction of the Virgin Mary cradling her dying son. IMPORTANT: The Basilica is closed on Wednesdays for the Papal Audience.

What’s Included:

  • Round trip high-speed train ticket from Florence to Rome 
  • Rome Hop on and off double decker bus pass 
  • Entry fees to all sites 
  • Special Skip-the-Line access at the Vatican Museums
  • Prepaid Ticket Line access at the Colosseum
  • Headsets for large-group tours, to ensure you always hear your guide

Not Included:

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Important to Know: 

  • Price is based on a minimum of 2 participants
  • Please note that the Vatican tour is not available on Sundays. Extra closures can occur in case of religious festivities or special religious functions, please check availability before. 


2018 Vatican Blackout Dates:

The Vatican Museums are closed on ALL Sundays

March 19th and 30th

April 2nd

May 1st, 27th

June 2nd, 3rd, 29th

August 14th, 15th and 16th

November 1st 

December 8th, 25th, and 26th

January 1st, 6th

IMPORTANT: Extra closures can anyway occur without notice, so be sure to check in advance.


2018 Colosseum Blackout Dates:

There are no Colosseum tours on the first Sunday of every month

March 30 

May 1st, 27th

June 2nd, 3rd and 29th 

July 12th

August 14th, 15th, and 16th

December 25th and 26th

January 1st