Christian Rome with Driver Private Shore Excursion for Cruisers

Circus Maximus, is a large ancient stadium where chariot races were held for the entertainment of Roman citizens and royalty alike. If you have ever watched the film Ben Hur, you can imagine the action that took place here 2,000 years ago on this 540 meter long track covered with sand! Although only the traces of this once incredible stadium remains, you can just imagine how imposing it must have been in Ancient Rome with the capacity to seat up to 250,000 spectators. In the lowest two tiers, the seats were made of stone and concrete, they upper tiers were made of wood. The external side of the stadium was surrounded by arcades in which shops were set up for the spectators - much like modern day stadiums offer shops and eateries for the spectators.

The second largest basilica in Rome after St Peter’s Basilica. It has the words "Outside the Wall" because it was erected outside the Aurelian Walls - the ancient 3rd century Roman walls that enclosed the city and protected it. Saint Paul is among the four highest ranking Catholic churches known as the Papal Basilicas, and a top pilgrimage destination for millions of Christians world wide. Paul's tomb is below a marble tombstone in the basilica's crypt, about 4.5 feet below the altar.

One of the most strategically significant roads of Rome built in 312 BC - making it one of the earliest roads of Ancient Rome. It connected Rome to Brindisi in south-east Italy and was used a main route for military supplies and troops. The existing roads at that time were from built by the Etruscan and lead in a different direction. The Appian Way was considered by the Romans to be the "Queen of the Long Roads". According to Christian tradition, it was along the Appian Way that an escaping Peter encountered a vision of Christ, inspiring him to go back into the city to face certain martyrdom.

Burials were forbidden within the city walls, so outside the city walls and beneath the surface, miles of tunnels were dug out of soft tufa stone. The catacombs were in essence an underground cemeterial complex that can be described as a labyrinth of galleries and chambers about 12 miles long, on four levels, and about 20 meters deep. Aside from many Christians being buried here, so have been martyrs and popes. Decorations and inscriptions can still be seen on crypts and tombs inside the catacombs. For such an exploration, a guided tour is conducted of the most visited area of the underground catacombs. Entrance fee to the catacombs is 8 Euros per person that includes a guided tour inside the catacombs, explaining the significance of the many things that you will see. You will join a small group of English-speaking travelers.

Saint Peter in Chains, is a Roman Catholic titular church and minor basilica also known as the Basilica Eudoxiana. It was first built in 432-440 to house a portion of the chains that held Saint Peter where he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. The Empress Eduoxia (wife of Emperor Valentinian III) received the chains as a gift from her mother in mid 5th century, who in turn received them from the bishop of Jerusalem. The Empress gifted the chains to Pope Leo I. According to legend, when Pope Leo compared these chains with the chains that Saint Peter were held in during his final imprisonment in the Mamertine Prison, the two chains miraculously fused together. Today, the chains are preserved inside a reliquary under the basilica's main altar.

In order to build this huge monument, a large area of the Capitoline Hill and a medieval neighborhood were sacrificed. Romans regard the monument as pompous and too large. The Romans nicknamed it the "Typewriter" given its shape, and "Wedding Cake" with the white Carrara marble facade that looks like frosting on an ornate cake. Even with all of its controversy and criticism, the monument attracts a large number of visitors and it’s an iconic representation of Rome. It is also a wonderful landmark to find your way in the city.

Enjoy a stroll through the spacious square that welcomes you with its enormous embracing colonnades. St Peter’s Square is located in front of St Peter’s Basilica. The vast elliptical square was designed by the famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini for the purpose of allowing the greatest number of spectators to see the Pope give his blessings. Surrounding the square like embracing arms are the classic 4-column deep Tuscan colonnades surmounted by 140 statues of saints. In the center of Saint Peter's Square is the 84-foot tall Egyptian obelisk dating back to 2500 BC in Heliopolis. The obelisk was brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula in 37 AD.