Civitavecchia to Rome and Ancient Ostia: Private day trip

According to Roman mythology, Rome was founded by Romulus in 753 BC after killing his brother Remus over a dispute on which hill their city should be built on. Called the “Eternal City” for its long history, and the “City of Seven Hills”, Rome’s nicknames give a clue what to expect. Now home to nearly 3 million people, the Eternal City’s long history is well-preserved in its many monuments and museums. Head to the UNESCO-listed city center to find most of Rome’s most iconic monuments, like the Colosseum, Foro Romano, and Palatino. Along with its many ancient monuments, Rome was a major Renaissance center and the birthplace of the Baroque style and Neoclassicism. The Trevi Fountain, Sistine Chapel with Michaelangelo's famous ceiling, and Saint Peter's Basilica are all masterpieces. Save time for Rome's museums, like the Vatican Museums, the Musei Capitolini, the Borghese Gallery, and the Palazzo Barberini Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica to see the works of Masters up close.

Founded in the 7th century BC at the mouth of the Tiber River, Ostia was likely Rome’s first colony. While the city flourished for centuries, after the fall of the Empire, the Ostia’s fortunes followed suit, with repeated raids by Muslim pirates finally forcing the inhabitants to abandon the city in the 9th century. The city’s abandoned harbour eventually silted over, which helped protect it against the ravages of time. Today, 10,000 acres have been unearthed, centered around a mile-long main road. Here, visitors will find common homes and public toilets, as well as landmarks like an amphitheatre, a forum for the city’s many corporations, and of course, a bathhouse with exquisite mosaics. The on-site museum showcases some of the many artefacts found here, with the statuary being particular stand out. In the collection are statues from various foreign religions - a testament to Ostia’s relationship with people from all over the known world.