liv tours rome italy

With LivTours, you can choose from over 60 sustainable tours of Rome. From visiting the city by golf cart, to walking through the ruins of ancient Rome or exploring the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica in the early morning, we guarantee exclusive access, priority entrance, expert local guides and responsible tourism practices, while you delight in discovering the history and secrets of the Eternal City.

We have found 62 tours

79 € 140.62 A$ 73.47 £ 92.43 $

From | 1 pax | All-incl

Exclusive Semi-Private Rome Walking Tour & Highlights

Tour Rome on foot with top-rated guides and experience the city like never before on LivTours Rome Walking Tour. Semi-Private. 6 people max!

99 € 176.22 A$ 92.07 £ 115.83 $

Jewish Ghetto & Trastevere Tour | Semi-Private Experience

Discover a fascinating layer of Rome’s phenomenal history, exploring two important neighborhoods in Rome. Semi-Private. 6 people max.

104 € 185.12 A$ 96.72 £ 121.68 $

Express Colosseum Gladiators Gate & Arena Floor | Exclusive Semi-Private Tour

Walk in the footsteps of ancient Gladiators as you step out onto the Arena floor on this guided, semi-private tour of the Colosseum.

Semi-Private Express Colosseum Underground & Arena Tour

Experience the extraordinary thrill of LivTours' Express Colosseum Underground & Arena Tour Semi-Private. 6 people max.

109 € 194.02 A$ 101.37 £ 127.53 $

Morning Tour of Rome | Semi-Private Early Bird Walking Tour

Start your day with breakfast and a walk with a 5-star guide. See the Spanish Steps, Pantheon & Trevi. Semi-Private. 6 people max.

Top Tier Colosseum Tour with Panoramic Glass Elevator | Semi-Private

Wing your way to the very top of the Colosseum via a brand new, glass elevator to take in the entirety of this epic monument, free of crowds

119 € 211.82 A$ 110.67 £ 139.23 $

Baroque Masterpieces: Borghese Gallery Tour | Semi-Private

Explore some of the worlds most magnificent art with a 5-star guide with LivTours Borghese Gallery Tour. Small Group of 6 people max!

Colosseum & Domus Aurea Virtual Reality Tour | Semi-Private

The perfect way to get a visual idea of what Ancient Rome looked like 2000 years ago. Includes Colosseum & Nero's Palace. Semi-Private.

Semi-Private Ostia Antica Tour

Referred to as the "better Pompeii", this Semi-Private Ostia Antica Tour explores the highlights of this Ancient Roman city. 6 people max.

129 € 229.62 A$ 119.97 £ 150.93 $

Ebike Tour of Rome | Semi-Private Experience Along the Appian Way

Ride an e-bike along the iconic Appian Way, an ancient road in Rome which bears witness to countless history. Semi-Private. 6 people max.

Food Tour of Rome Italy | Semi-Private Experience

Eat your way through Italy on this Food Tour in Rome Italy - from pasta to gelato, this tour hits all the highlights. 6 people max!

Golf Cart Tour of Rome | Semi-Private Experience

Tour the Eternal City in comfort on this golf cart adventure. See Colosseum, Trevi, Pantheon & more. Semi-Private. 6 people max.

Underground Rome Catacombs Tour | Semi-Private Experience

Explore a network of underground ancient burial grounds on this Rome Catacombs Tour with a 5-star guide. Semi-Private. 6 people max.

139 € 247.42 A$ 129.27 £ 162.63 $

The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access | Semi-Private Tour

Enter into the Colosseum, pass through the Gladiators Gate to get exclusive Arena floor access, and tour the Roman Forum with LivTours!

149 € 265.22 A$ 138.57 £ 174.33 $

Catacombs Night Tour in Rome | Semi-Private

Explore hidden passageways underground in this exclusive after-hours Semi-Private Catacombs Night Tour in Rome. 6 people max.

Golf Cart & Drinks Evening Tour of Rome | Semi-Private

This is the perfect tour combining history, drinks & comfort in the heart of the city! See Rome by golf cart. Semi-Private small group tour

Private Yoga Lesson in Rome with Laura

Treat yourself to the gift of 60/90 minutes of a luxurious stretching and grounding session with Laura in the comfort of your hotel.

159 € 283.02 A$ 147.87 £ 186.03 $

Colosseum Tour with Underground, Arena & Gladiator Gate with Roman Forum

Exclusive 3 hrs Colosseum Tour with Underground, 1st tier, and skip-the-line access to Roman Forum! Semi-Private, 6 people max.

169 € 300.82 A$ 157.17 £ 197.73 $

Semi-Private Vespa Tour | Rome City Highlights

Feel like a Roman for a day and whiz across town on this iconic Vespa Tour! Rome is the perfect city for two wheel adventures! 6 people max.

259 € 461.02 A$ 240.87 £ 303.03 $

Essential Rome Combo | Colosseum & Vatican Semi-Private Tour

Experience Rome's two greatest highlights—the Colosseum and the Vatican—with a small group of max 6 people!

299 € 532.22 A$ 278.07 £ 349.83 $

AS Roma Tickets with VIP Hospitality

See an AS Roma game in Executive Seats Tribuna d’Onore SUD. Includes hotel pick-up/drop-off, pre-game buffet & drinks. VIP experience.

From | 2 pax | All-incl

Exclusive Private Walking Tour of Rome

Explore the eternal city with a private top-rated guide & experience the city like never before on LivTours Private Walking Tour of Rome.

Private Sunset Walking Tour of Rome

Capture the magical moment as the sun begins to set on the Eternal City of Rome, on this Private Sunset Walking Tour of Rome.

Private Trastevere & Jewish Ghetto Tour of Rome

Explore two of the most beautiful and historically rich neighborhoods in Rome on this Private Trastevere & Jewish Ghetto Tour of Rome.

VIP Essential Rome Combo | Early Vatican & Colosseum Semi-Private Tour

See Rome's two most iconic sites—the colosseum and the Vatican—with an expert guide. Groups of 6 ppl max!

309 € 550.02 A$ 287.37 £ 361.53 $

Private Morning Tour of Rome | Early Bird Walking Tour

Discover centuries of architecture & history on this walking tour with a 5-star guide. Includes Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi & more.

Private Tour of Castel Sant’Angelo

Explore an impressive renaissance castle that was once an ancient Roman Emperors tomb with a 5-star private guide.

329 € 585.62 A$ 305.97 £ 384.93 $

Capitoline Museums Private Tour

Explore on this private tour the world’s greatest and grandest collection of marble antiquities housed in the stunning Capitoline Museums

348 € 619.44 A$ 323.64 £ 407.16 $

Private Bike Tour of Rome | E-bike Along the Appian Way

Discover Rome in an entirely unique way by riding down one of Rome’s oldest roads - the Appian Way on an e-bike. 5-star guide.

349 € 621.22 A$ 324.57 £ 408.33 $

Doria Pamphilj Gallery Private Tour

With a private, top-rated guide explore the Doria Pamphilj Gallery—an opulent palace and family home housing a magnificent art collection.

Express Colosseum Gladiators Gate & Arena Floor | Exclusive Private Tour

Explore the mighty Colosseum and access the restricted Arena floor and Gladiators gate with an expert private guide at your side.

National Etruscan Museum | Villa Giulia Private Tour

Enjoy a private tour of the magnificent 16th-century Villa Giulia, which houses Italy’s National Etruscan Museum.

Palazzo Massimo & Diocletian’s Baths | Private Rome Tour

Discover the rich cultural legacy and way of life of the Ancient Romans on this fascinating private tour of three unique venues.

Private Ostia Antica Tour

Explore Ostia Antica, one of the most well preserved ancient Roman cities in the world with an expert 5-star private guide by your side.

359 € 639.02 A$ 333.87 £ 420.03 $

Private Rome Food Tour

Learn the ins & outs of Italian food & wine with a local guide. This private tour takes you to multiple destinations for a full course meal.

Private Top Tier Colosseum Tour with Panoramic Glass Elevator

LivTours is proud to offer this exclusive private tour with access to the top tiers of the mighty Colosseum via its new glass elevator!

369 € 656.82 A$ 343.17 £ 431.73 $

Baroque Masterpieces: Private Borghese Gallery Tour

Explore the highlights of Baroque art when you book this Private Borghese Gallery Tour. Skip-the-line entry. Top-rated guide.

Tivoli Tour from Rome | Semi-Private Experience

On this LivTours Tivoli tour from Rome, you'll visit the ancient villa of Emperor Hadrian & magnificent gardens & waterfalls of Villa d'Este

419 € 745.82 A$ 389.67 £ 490.23 $

Private Rome Golf Cart Tour

See the highlights of Rome in the comfort of a golf cart! Fun and practical, this popular private tour is packed with sites to explore.

429 € 763.62 A$ 398.97 £ 501.93 $

Private Colosseum Tour Including Ancient City

Go back in time 2000 years, when Rome ruled the world on this Colosseum tour with a 5-star private guide.

Private Golf Cart Tour of Rome by Night with Drinks

Explore Rome at Golden Hour on this fabulous private three-hour golf cart tour of the Eternal City

Private Vespa Rome Tour

Zip around the city on this Private Vespa Rome Tour, saving you time & sore feet. The perfect way to see Romes highlights like a local.

Private Vespa Sidecar Tour | Rome City Highlights

This Vespa Sidecar Tour | Rome City Highlights is a once in a lifetime chance to see the eternal city via iconic Vespa. 5-star guide!

449 € 799.22 A$ 417.57 £ 525.33 $

Private Family Experiences: Colosseum Tour for Kids

Make history come to life for the entire family with this interactive & fun tour of Rome’s Colosseum. 5-star family-friendly guide.

Women of Ancient Rome Tour | Colosseum Forum & Palatine Hill

A unique and extraordinary experience to reveal the secrets untold of women of ancient Rome on this Colosseum & Forum Tour! Women Tours

469 € 834.82 A$ 436.17 £ 548.73 $

Private Colosseum Tour, Exclusive Arena Access, Gladiators Gate & Ancient City

Enjoy a private tour of the Colosseum, step onto the restricted arena floor, and explore the Roman Forum with your 5-star guide

489 € 870.42 A$ 454.77 £ 572.13 $

Private Catacombs Tour in Rome

Explore the incredible underground world of Rome through secret Pagan temples and ancient Christian burial grounds. Private 5-star guide.

499 € 888.22 A$ 464.07 £ 583.83 $

Family Experiences | Rome Catacombs for Kids

Learn about history the fun way on LivTours Rome Catacombs for Kids Tour. Includes activity book & prize. Top-rated, child-friendly guide.

509 € 906.02 A$ 473.37 £ 595.53 $

Private Catacombs Night Tour in Rome

This private tour of the underground takes you to one of the most well known Christian burial grounds in Italy at night! 5-star guide.

519 € 923.82 A$ 482.67 £ 607.23 $

Private Colosseum Guided Tour with Underground & Ancient Rome

Visit the Colosseum, including access to the underground, arena floor and Roman Forum & Palatine Hill on this Private Colosseum Guided Tour.

529 € 941.62 A$ 491.97 £ 618.93 $

Major Basilicas of Rome | Private Jubilee Tour

Embark on a pilgrimage spanning centuries of devotion, architecture, and papal tradition with this Private Jubilee Tour of Rome's Holy Doors

599 € 1,066.22 A$ 557.07 £ 700.83 $

Marilee’s Cooking Class in Rome | Private

This is the perfect experience if you have always wanted to learn how to cook Italian food at home with a local. Private experience.

799 € 1,422.22 A$ 743.07 £ 934.83 $

Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio Tour | Private Day trip from Rome

Off-the-beaten path glorious day trip from Rome to explore gems of the Italian country-side on our Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio Day Trip!

Private Bomarzo & Orvieto Day Trip from Rome

Enjoy the Italian country-side and in one day get to see the world famous monster park of Bomarzo and Orvieto's Duomo and town from Rome.

Private Marmore Waterfalls & Assisi Day Trip from Rome

Take a day off from the city & immerse yourself in the outdoors and gorgeous towns with our Marmore Waterfalls Assisi Day Trip from Rome

899 € 1,600.22 A$ 836.07 £ 1,051.83 $

Private Tivoli Day Trip from Rome

Explore the ancient villa of Emperor Hadrian and the magnificent gardens and waterfalls of Villa D'Este with our Tivoli day trip from Rome.

989 € 1,760.42 A$ 919.77 £ 1,157.13 $

Private Tour of Rome in a Day

Private Tour of Rome in a Day includes Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps, all in 1 day! 5-star guide.

1,199 € 2,134.22 A$ 1,115.07 £ 1,402.83 $

Shore Excursion: Rome in a Day Exclusive Experience

This Rome in a Day Exclusive Experience from Civitavecchia includes Colosseum, Sistine Chapel & more. Private chauffeur & 5-star guide.

VIP Rome in a Day Private Tour | City Highlights

See Rome's major highlights with this Rome in a Day Private Tour. Includes Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish steps, Vatican & Sistine Chapel!

1,989 € 3,540.42 A$ 1,849.77 £ 2,327.13 $

Private Rome 2 Day Tour | All Inclusive Bundle

See the highlights of Rome in 2 days! Includes entry tickets. See the Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi, Pantheon, Catacombs & more. 5-star guide.

2,200 € 3,916 A$ 2,046 £ 2,574 $

From | 5 pax | All-incl

VIP Private Helicopter Tour Around Rome

Join us in the air for an experience like no other, seeing Rome from above! Unforgettable helicopter experience around the Eternal City.

2,699 € 4,804.22 A$ 2,510.07 £ 3,157.83 $

Rome 3 Day Tour | Private All Inclusive Bundle

Explore Rome in 3 days! Includes entry tickets. See the Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi, Pantheon, Catacombs & a day trip. Private 5-star guide.

Privacy Overview

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Colosseum Arena Floor & Ancient Rome | Semi Private Max 6 People

Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Small Group - 6 People Max

Rome on a Golf Cart Semi-Private Tour Max 6 | with Private Option

Private Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour with Arena Floor Access

Rome Food Experience Max 6 People Group Tour | w/Private Option

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

LivTours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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Colosseum Arena Floor & Ancient Rome | Semi Private Max 6 People

Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Small Group - 6 People Max

Rome on a Golf Cart Semi-Private Tour Max 6 | with Private Option

Private Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour with Arena Floor Access

Rome Food Experience Max 6 People Group Tour | w/Private Option

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Podcast episodes , Rome

Episode #214: rome’s best kept secrets – explore the eternal city with liv tours.

This article may contain compensated links. See our full disclosure here

Listen to “Rome’s Best Kept Secrets: Explore the Eternal City with Liv Tours” on Spreaker.

Ditch the tourist crowds and embark on a journey through the Eternal City with a twist! Rome is a city that you can return to again and again as there’s always something new to discover, with layers of history and stories, but whether it’s your first time or tenth time, there are ways to experience Rome that work to provide you an unforgettable experience and leave a gentle footprint on the city. We’ve teamed up with Liv Tours founder Angelo Carotenuto, to reveal a whole new way to approach visiting Rome. Discover ways to visit the main sights away from the crowds and with a different tilt and about unique itineraries and fascinating combinations that go beyond the well-trodden paths.

We welcome back Angelo Carotenuto, co-founder of Liv Tours , a family-owned Italian tour company with guides who all share an unbridled passion for Italy. Liv Tours offer 350+ tours in over 22 cities in Europe. Their expert guides will help you fall in love with Italian history, culture, and food. It’s no secret, that Liv Tours are one of our favorite tour companies, offering wonderful experiences for private and very small groups across Italy from Rome to Venice, Florence to Milan, and also across Europe.

Liv Tours are based in Rome where Angelo was born and raised. What we love about them is that they’re constantly innovating and finding ways to pay respect to the cities they operate in – especially Rome where things have never been busier. They are such a creative and passionate team full of wonderful ideas and new ways to experience Italy. We talk about embracing the unique ways to experience Rome and exploring the city with a gentle tourism touch. Whether it’s your first time or a return visit, find inspiration on what to explore on your next Roman adventure – from art to archaeology, architecture to religious artifacts, to the joys of being outdoors, as well as sometimes being indoors (enjoying the air-conditioning)!

Liv Tours special new off-the-beaten-path tours include National Etruscan Museum and Villa Giulia – Private Tour , Major Basilicas of Rome – Private Jubilee Tour , Capitoline Museums – Private Tour and Palazzo Massimo & Diocletian’s- Baths – Private Tour .

Special Liv Tours offer for Untold Italy listeners

save 5% on Liv Tours with code ‘untolditaly’

Click here to browse Liv Tours now!!

About our guest – Angelo Carotenuto

In 2012 a world-renowned Italian-American tour guide and classically trained opera singer meets Swedish logistics expert Kristin in Rome. They fell in love and then created what they love – an eco-tourism company focused on the country where Angelo was born and the same country that brought them together. 

Liv Tours rapidly grew to be a leader in the industry thanks to the high-quality services, unique small group tours of max 6 people and private experiences that allow the traveler to not just visit Italy, but to live it! Sustainability has always been a key factor for Liv Tours and the company is now a member of  GreenStep Sustainable Tourism , a GSTC-accredited certification body. Where large group tours are exploiting the country’s heritage, Liv Tours’s small group tours are exploring it and always give back to the local community. 

For over 10 years travelers have loved the huge selection of tours and experiences, the intimacy of the small groups, and the extraordinary tour guides. And after a lot of requests, Liv Tours has expanded to France, Spain, and England.

You can find Liv Tours on these channels:

• Website:  www.livtours.com
• Instagram:  www.instagram.com/liv.tours
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/livtours
• Twitter:  www.twitter.com/LivTours  
• YouTube:  www.youtube.com/user/LivItalyTours

Check out their unique and exciting new tours tours: National Etruscan Museum and Villa Giulia – Private Tour , Major Basilicas of Rome – Private Jubilee Tour , Capitoline Museums – Private Tour and and Palazzo Massimo & Diocletian’s- Baths – Private Tour .

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Angelo was born and raised in Rome, though his mother is from California, he was raised bilingual and he has a couple of degrees from a US University. After finishing college he returned to Rome and started tour guiding by chance. After 6 or so years of being a guide, he realized that he was experienced in catering to more or less all types of clients – visitors from cruise ships, big tour operators, small private tours, B.A.P clients and even high school kids who are seeing 12 cities in 8 days. After gaining that experience, he realized how fast the activity side of tour guiding was going and how it also can make or break somebody’s vacation – perhaps more so even than hotels or restaurants. People really count on the guides to give them a great experience
• At Liv Tours they talk about the ‘Dreamers’ – those who explore or wish to explore Italy in all of its many facets – be it food, wine, culture, art, fashion, Ferrari, soccer, mountains, islands – even volcanoes. Italy has a lot to offer
• The original name of the company was Liv Italy, but as it has expanded across many countries, it became Liv Tours
• At livitaly.com, the site was set up to cater for activity seekers, but to begin with, Angelo was treating the business almost like a hobby because he was tour-guiding for other companies during the day to pay the rent. A couple of years later into this project, he met Kristin, who would later become his wife, and together they decided that they were going to risk putting every last penny and all of their efforts into making Liv Italy the success it is today
• Thanks to a mix of Kristin’s input, instinct and networking and some of Angelo’s creativity the company expanded and they found they could provide for the dreamers – not just the boat trips, cooking classes and Ferrari test drives but the major sights like the Colosseum, Vatican, Doges Palace, Academia and Pompeii. Even though these places are tremendously crowded at times and hard to appreciate, they wanted to make a visit to them as close as possible to somebody’s dream so an important part of their business model is that they limited their group sizes to just 6 people
• When you daydream about your first visit to the Sistine Chapel – you’d likely picture yourself standing inside the Chapel surrounded by Michelangelo’s beautiful, fresco ceiling admiring everything around you. That dream probably does not include trying to make out what your tour guide is saying through a dirty headset, with static – or having to chase that tour guide in the back of a 30-people group, to ask a question. You are probably wanting to have a conversation  – to hear the stories, clearly and in detail and to be transported by the guide’s knowledge and passion but also to engage about it with a back and forth of questions
• Angleo and Kristin have found that 6 people have provided the perfect number to enable the tour guides to perform at that level. That group size, along with the variety of services and quality control on these tours (as well as the private tours) – it’s proved a winning formula and is why Liv Tours gets such great reviews, has great customer retention and is an Untold Italy favorite
• They have grown organically
• Katy will certainly vouch for the wonderful, creative, passionate guides on Liv Tours team. She’s done many Liv tours and finds the guides have so much enthusiasm and knowledge and are also noticeably adaptable too. Katy has been on tours in many different contexts. – with her young children, with her father, who has mobility issues and with a younger crowd – it always works well. A personal favorite of Katy’s was Marco on the Borghese Gallery Tour !

Visiting Italy

• There is no getting around it – post covid, travel has changed. The demand, for whatever reason, is extraordinary. Whether it’s because people got a travel itch during lockdowns or they changed their mentality and realized to seize the moment and take the trip they’d always dreamed about – the number of visitors to Italy’s main destinations (which were already huge) increased
• It is pretty much impossible for travel to be done in the traditional way to these places – it’s just not sustainable. Anybody who is really interested in caring for a place and cultural traditions will evangelize the importance of protecting the treasures but also about how much more a destination can offer

Visiting Rome

• Some rather mind-blowing stats – Rome sees 230,000 tourists a day. Rome has 2.3 million inhabitants, but phone records tell us that every day in the city, there are 4.6 million people. The city’s capacity literally doubles
• In the winter, there are a lot of Italian-local travelers but for the rest of the time, on average, half of the 230,000 are foreigners
• The average night stay in the city of these 115,000 foreigners is only 2.4 nights. Angelo likes to say that “Rome wasn’t built in a day and not even in 2.4 days”
• The reason why stays are so short is that the majority of visitors believe they only need to stay 1 or 2 nights because they have frequently been told that you can do Rome in 2.5 days – the Vatican, the Colosseum, have a couple of meals, wander around a bit, have some gelato – bang you’re done! But that doesn’t really scratch the side of Rome and whilst you can never really have  done Rome, adding a couple more days will open up so much to you

Visiting the Vatican and the Colosseum

• Each of these two sites has a capacity of only 20,000-25,000 people a day – so straight away there’s too much demand
• Angelo’s advice for first-time travelers – is if you’ve only booked a couple of days in Rome and wish to have a chance to go see the Vatican or the Colosseum, do consider extending your stay. Statistically speaking, to find an opportunity to go see the Vatican and the Colosseum, you need at least 4 or 5 days of probability
• If you’re a second-time traveler, perhaps consider not visiting the Vatican or the Colosseum at all and experience one of the myriad of other things you can see or if you are really keen to go again – experience it differently/in an alternative way
• You could do an early entrance to the Vatican , or the very special, first entry – with the Keymaster experience of the Vatican. You could do a visit that includes secret rooms. You could do an evening tour. You could not do the Vatican museums and just do St. Peter’s Basilica which generally speaking, is under-visited in comparison to the Vatican museums
• Similarly for the Colosseum. At the Colosseum they have just reopened the beautiful terraces at the very top –  the 4th and 5th tiers (the lodges) where servants, slaves and women would stand to participate to watch the games of the arena at the Colosseum. If the night tours become available again in 2024, they are a great experience. Or visit the archeological park of the Colosseum – spend some time in the Roman Forum, which has 5 Super Sites. Super Sites are places that have recently been restored and reopened to the public –  temples, secret passages, underground areas, or parts of ancient homes
• Katy has been to Rome for about two weeks this year – spread out through different trips. She’s been back to both sites and finds there’s always something new to discover even though she’s been many, many times
• She particularly loves going to the Roman Forum because you are just surrounded by the places where so much history happened. A guide can tell you stories that can bring it to life and get you hooked on the history and stories of the Roman Empire
• With the Vatican museums she sometimes swears she’ll never go back because it is so crowded – but then when you find the right way to do it and you can perhaps go into the Raphael rooms and you have an intimate experience, it’s amazing

Away from the Colosseum and the Vatican

• These sites are must-sees for a reason, but if you have seen them once or a few times, then definitely consider diverting away from these and trying other things. Try and explore a destination like Rome, with everything that it has to offer at 360 degrees, not just focussing on the same sites
• Angelo is obviously speaking as Liv Tours , but there are very many options out there from other providers too. Look at a company’s portfolio and see how much they support different ways of doing things. If a company only concentrates on 2 or 3 sites within a city, it probably means that they found a golden egg and they’re literally putting everything into that, and their tour guides are probably great and knowledgeable at doing that one place
• But once you decide to be a little different, maybe those standard companies can’t fulfill that, and maybe you need someone who can provide the outside of the box options
• The Golf Cart Tour has become a well-known thing in Rome and has been extraordinarily successful for Liv Tours who came up with it. Katy has done the Golf Cart Tour and despite initially thinking it was only suited for people who couldn’t get about – but absolutely loved it and realized it is for everyone and is a great way to get to places you can’t access usually
• It’s a tour that is great for everybody – it can be for people with walking difficulties, youngsters, families, those who just want to relax and have fun or those who are jet-lagged. It allows you to see angles of the city you would not see and cover ground that you would not be able to cover with a mix of off-the-beaten-path sites with on-the-beaten-path sites. You will see the Pyramid of Cestius in Rome and the Pantheon, you will see the Janiculum Hill or perhaps the Keyhole at Aventine Hill and toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain – all in the same tour
• A similar tour that Katy and some of her Untold Italy team have done is the fabulous Vespa Sidecar Tour or if you want to be a bit more active you can do a bike tour . Kristin and Angelo even used to do jogging tours
• You can find a way to taste your way through the local culture of Rome. There are food and wine tours and those that combine trying the local food to give you perspective, with doing it in amazing sites
• The Liv Tours Food Tour  goes from the Jewish Quarter to the Pantheon to Largo di Torre Argentina to Piazza Navona. You’re hitting the sites while enjoying and tasting food!
• The advantage to some other sites/museums in the city as opposed to the Vatican and Colosseum is that they have air conditioning. You get to experience and learn with the added bonus of staying cool. There’s the Modern Art Museum, The Etruscans Museum at Villa Giulia explores the true origins of Rome, pre-Romans. One of the new Liv Tour offerings is a Private Tour of the National Etruscan Museum and Villa Giulia
• If you want to learn more about gods, goddesses, empresses, and generals, you can go to the Capitoline Museum and see amazing works of art on their Capitoline Museums – Private Tour
• The Palazzo Massimo is next to Termini station, right in the center of the city. On the top floor of Palazzo Massimo there is a part reproduction/part imported reconstructed of the home of Livia, wife of Emperor Augustus. You get to be stood in an aristocratic home at the top floor of a museum – you can’t really have that feel/experience at the Roman Forum or Pompeii. Liv Tour’s Palazzo Massimo & Diocletian’s- Baths – Private Tour offer an in-depth dip into these past worlds
• In Angelo’s opinion, the number one museum in Europe is the Borghese Gallery. Katy is a fan herself and thinks if you’re interested in art, go there and not the Vatican museums because you’ll get a much richer experience
• It’s a tiny museum and they only allow you two hours inside – but you don’t really need more. You could not find such a concentrated art collection of Canovas, Berninis, Rafaels, etc elsewhere. It’s right in the middle of the beautiful Borghese Park, which is Rome’s  Central Park. You can combine beauty and arts with nature and outdoor activities. Enjoy what Romans would enjoy on their jogging trip or evening walk. Enjoy this treasure with Liv Tour-s Masterpieces at the Borghese Gallery Tour
• You can do many things for free or cheaply. There are churches in Rome that are free, open museums. Inside San Luigi dei Francesi between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, there are two Caravaggios. There are churches that have both Berninis and Caravaggios inside. If you want to spend a little money, there are the catacombs , there are the baths – the ancient Roman baths of Caracalla and Diocletian – Liv Tours offers tours of all these unique places
• In 2024 and the upcoming 2025 Jubilee year, Liv Tours are looking to concentrate, not on the Vatican and Colosseum, but in trying to prove that there are a lot more opportunities to see amazing things and unique things around Rome. There’s a lot less crowds if you spread yourself out
• If you are someone who cares about the impact that trip is going to have upon your and your family or friends, whether it’s an educational or relaxing trip or a once-in-a-lifetime because you come so far and you doubt it’s ever going to happen again – then you need to do it the right way
• A good friend of Katy’s was in Rome in September. She’d dreamt of going to Italy her whole life and is obsessed with Julius Caesar. She made up her own little tour to go around some major sites in Rome to see the places that were significant in his life – ended up in Largo di Torre Argentina which has only recently reopened for people can access and is where he died. She was very emotional and Katy was so pleased that she’d set her own path focusing on what she was really interested in
• There’s so much in Rome – it’s almost overwhelming and people tend just to go down the same beaten paths because it’s what they know, but do consider seizing the day and trying something new or different

A unique cocktail of a tour

• Angelo and Liv Tours have used their experience and network to come up with ideas for tours that will incorporate many of the different aspects that make Rome so special. They have a newly created and very unique tour that mixes religious sites with art, the underground world of ancient Rome and views to die for
• There are four major basilicas in Rome: St. Peter’s at the Vatican, St. John the Lateran (old headquarters of the Pope), St. Paul Outside of the Walls (built on top of where St. Paul’s head was decapitated and rolled down) and Santa Maria Maggiore in honor of the Holy Mary – all explored in the Major Basilicas of Rome – Private Jubilee Tour
• Santa Maria Maggiore is on the Esquiline Hill between Termini train station and the Colosseum
• Santa Maria Maggiore, it’s an amazing complex and inside of Santa Maria Maggiore, there is the tomb of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the greatest artists, and contributors to what Rome looks like today
• Under the high altar is a piece of the crib of Jesus Christ kept in an urn
• Beneath the Santa Maria Maggiore,  there is an entire underground area of a Domus – an ancient Roman home that you can walk through and see the rooms. You can see the roof tiles under this basilica and on the top floor, the tour allows you to access this beautiful balcony overlooking the square of Santa Maria Maggiore, with a gorgeous mosaic
• Further, there is a square room with doors to the apartments of the priests and cardinals that live and work there – the grand Papal Room. In this room, there is a beautiful, tiny spiral staircase, which would have led the clergy from the Church to their apartments and all the way up to the bell tower of the church to ring the bell. This spiral staircase was built by Bernini himself so is a complete treasure – a hidden gem that nobody gets to see
• Also in the Papal room is a tiny little door which in March is going to be opening to those accompanied by only partnered guides like Liv Tours and from there you get to a terrace over the main aisle of the church and at the very end of that terrace you access a dome which leads to a very tight, narrow staircase, taking you all the way to the roof of Santa Maria Maggiore – one of the four major basilicas of Rome with a panoramic view and angle to the city like no other. You’re behind the Colosseum, you can see the river, St. Peter’s Basilica, the hills – it’s a very special, unique opportunity
• This is a church that is not visited by the mainstream, with at least 4 or 5 things that anybody in their right mind would want to experience once – religious connections, the staircase and tomb of Bernini, ancient Rome in the underground Domus and to (literally) top it off, rooftop views to die for
• You need someone to take you on this kind of tour – firstly, you’re not going to find out about all the elements in any guide book and even if you did, you would not have the understanding or the access. There’s so much history and so many layers – it just takes the historians, archeologists and professionals at companies like Liv Tours, to pull out those stories and that details and package them in a way that becomes exciting
• You need somebody to give you the context, to entertain you. You need to rely on local resources to access these things and back it up with the knowledge and also know the way to respectively visit these very special places
• Find out more about the Major Basilicas of Rome – Private Jubilee Tour which encompasses all these unique experiences with a talented story-teller guiding your way

An evening in the catacombs

• There are a number of catacombs around Rome and some of the daytime catacomb visits can get pretty crowded. By their nature, they are narrow spaces underground, and all you need to do is have a couple hundred people there trying to enter at once, and it gets messy. It can also be hard to enjoy the catacombs on a tour because due to the narrow hallways, you can end up at the back of a group, unable to hear your guide – with a group behind you
• Liv Tours decided that in order to give people a quieter, more relaxing and intimate experience why not visit these after hours? So they have created an amazing evening tour of the catacombs by entering a unique partnership with the Basilica di Sant’Agnese
• There are a lot of catacombs in Rome: San Callixtus, San Sebastian, Domitilla, Priscilla, etc – the well-known, mainstream catacombs. Very few people know or understand about the catacombs of Sant’Agnes, which are not on the Appian Way as most others are, but on the ancient Roman road – Nomentana
• The reason why they have chosen this very special location for their Small group Catacombs night tour is not only does it have the amazing catacombs, but the Basilica di Sant’Agnese is a huge, monumental complex. The church itself is gorgeous. As you cross the complex, you’re in the middle of a school environment with a playground, a bocce ball, because people live in the area – it has a neighborhood context
• There is the mausoleum of Costanza, the Mother of Emperor Constantine. Her mausoleum is a big, beautiful octagonal room that you visit as part of this tour – they open the door for the group, you go inside and they lock you into this church dedicated to Emperoress Costanza. These experiences you feel in your heart and soul – it’s not just about information and history
• When you head home and look back at the list of things you wanted to do  – you’re going to look at that list as not things just to be ticked off but knowing that an experience has brought a fulfillment and happiness that you should always feel after you travel

Do it properly and do it in the most fulfilling way you can!

• When thinking about what you want from a trip to Rome, you just really have to follow your heart because you can’t do everything, but there’s something for everyone
• You can’t do everything in Rome but do your best to extend a 2-night trip to at the very least 3/4 and try and divert your attention from the usuals
• Wherever you travel – look out for companies with local knowledge that are resourceful and are providing unimaginable, usually unreachable opportunities
• Angelo and Katy both work in travel – and in a world where the impacts of travel are having major effects on the environment eco-friendly – they are both aware that the culture of tourism has to change as it’s not sustainable as it is. But they know if people change their travel course from the ‘norms’ – in terms of where they go and what they do, not only will have a lesser impact, it will be a much more rewarding experience. Angelo’s advice is to ‘Do it properly and do it in the most fulfilling way you can!’
• A great goal as you travel is to want your experiences to give you a different perspective – so when you go back to your life at home it has had an effect on the way you think about things. Open your eyes to these unique experiences that really talk to you and feed your interests and passions

Want to find out more about Liv Tour’s experiences?

• At Untold Italy, we love partnering with Liv Tours , because we have similar values and goals. In a country like Italy and a city like Rome, there are endless wonders and it simply can’t be explored in a couple of days. And it’s always best discovered with an expert who’s passionate about the history and culture and knows how to uncover those stories to make their places come alive. Katy has done many tours with Liv Tours and always finds the tour guides exceptional – no matter the make up of the group or the location their storytelling engages all
• You can find all their tours at their website livtours.com . Angelo and Kristin and are very lucky to be surrounded by an extraordinary team of great humans who are passionate, knowledgeable, resourceful. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, aren’t sure what might be of interest to you or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact them through the website or by emailing [email protected] . Alternatively give them a call, text or What’s App them (details here ) – they are available most hours of the day and night

Liv Tour’s new, off-the-beaten-track experiences

• Their special new and unique tours, now available, are National Etruscan Museum and Villa Giulia – Private Tour , Major Basilicas of Rome – Private Jubilee Tour , Capitoline Museums – Private Tour and Palazzo Massimo & Diocletian’s- Baths – Private Tour
• Vatican Museums – a whole complex of museums attached to the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel
• Raphael Rooms – the four rooms known as the Stanze of Raphael formed part of the apartment situated on the second floor of the Pontifical Palace worked on by Raphael between 1508 and 1524
• Pyramid of Cestius – a Roman Era Pyramid mausoleum built in the middle of Rome
• The Pantheon – former Roman temple and, since 609 AD, a Catholic church in Rome
• Trevi Fountain – iconic monumental fountain
• Aventine keyhole – unique scene and line of sight through the rooftops of Rome to St Peters
• Janiculum  – ancient site on Janiculum Hill in Trastevere, Rome
• Piazza Navona – beautiful, central piazza in Rome
• Largo di Torre Argentina – the spot in Rome where Julius Caeser was murdered. Now a cat sanctuary
• Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna (National Gallery of Modern Art) – created in 1883, housing contemporary works of art 
• Palazzo Massimo – former palace now containing a museum of classical art
• Capitoline Museum – a single museum containing a group of art and archaeological museums in Piazza del Campidoglio, on top of the Capitoline Hill
• National Etruscan Museum – museum at Villa Giulia all about the Etruscan civilization
• Borghese Gallery – art gallery in Rome, Italy, housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana
• Villa Borghese – the largest park in Rome 
• San Luigi dei Francesi – church near Piazza Navona
• Roman Catacombs – around 40 ancient catacombs, underground burial places in and around the city
• Baths of Caracalla – Rome’s second largest Roman public baths first built in early AD 200s and operated until the 530s
• Baths of Diocletian –  public baths in ancient Rome, built between 298 CE and 306 CE and named after emperor Diocletian
• St Peter’s Basilica , St John in Laterano , St Paul Outside the Walls and Santa Maria Maggiore (Mary) –   Rome ‘s four  major papal basilicas
• Esquiline Hill – one of the Seven Hills of Rome
• Catacombs of St Agnes – Catacombs in Rome where the young Roman martyr Agnes was buried in the 3rd/4th century
• St Calixtus , St Sebastian, Domitilla, Priscilla – mainstream catacombs in Rome
• Via Nomentana – ancient road  which leads North-East from Rome to Nomentum (modern Mentana)
• Santa Costanza – a 4th-century church around the reign of Constantine I as a mausoleum
• Etruscan civilization – civilization of Italy, with the earliest evidence of a culture dating from about 900 BC
• Antonio Canova – sculptor, famous for his marble sculptures
• Gian Lorenzo Bernini – architect, city planner and sculptor who helped shape Rome as we know it
• Caravaggio – amazing painter who mostly worked in Rome, who died in 1610
• bocce – a gentle ball sport similar to boules and petanque

Resources from Untold Italy

• Read more on planning your Rome trip in our Rome travel guide ,  Best Place to Stay in Rome: Districts and Neighborhood Guide , 3 day Rome itinerary and 5-day Rome itinerary and  Rome airport transfers guide
• Discover things to see in Hidden gems in Rome , The most interesting and beautiful fountains in Rome , How to buy tickets for the Colosseum ,  How to buy tickets for the Vatican museums and Best Vatican tours and learn about  The Pantheon: Facts and History to enliven your visit
• Listen:  discover our previous episode with Angelo in Episode #109 – Women of Ancient Rome and Italy – the untold story and more episodes on the Eternal City in Episode #201 Beyond the Colosseum – Hidden secrets of Rome , Episode #145 Budget friendly ways to explore Rome , Episode #136 How to enjoy your time in Rome when it’s super hot , Episode #101 Tales from the Pantheon , Episode #98 Vatican museums – tips and highlights for your visit , Episode #96 A wander through Trastevere , Episode #29 What to eat in Rome , Episode #27 How to choose where to stay in Rome , Episode #17 Secrets of Rome , Episode #05: Getting around with taxis in Rome and Episode #03 Highlights of Rome
• How to plan a trip to Italy – our article that takes you step by step through trip planning so you can avoid our mistakes
• Italy Travel Planning – our FREE online community where you can ask questions and get inspiration for planning your trip
• Travel shop where you’ll find items mentioned in the show 

Planning a trip to Italy?

We love travel in Italy and sharing our knowledge. Read our Italy trip planning guide or join our FREE Italy travel planning community . Our 115,000+ members are happy to answer questions about your itinerary, how to get from place to place, the best places to stay and fun things to do.

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Colosseum Arena Floor & Ancient Rome | Semi Private Max 6 People

Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Small Group - 6 People Max

Rome on a Golf Cart Semi-Private Tour Max 6 | with Private Option

Private Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour with Arena Floor Access

Rome Food Experience Max 6 People Group Tour | w/Private Option

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

LivTours (Rome) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Colosseum Arena Floor & Ancient Rome | Semi Private Max 6 People

Colosseum Underground and Ancient Rome Small Group - 6 People Max

Rome on a Golf Cart Semi-Private Tour Max 6 | with Private Option

Private Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour with Arena Floor Access

Rome Food Experience Max 6 People Group Tour | w/Private Option

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

LIVTOURS (Rome) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Review Highlights

“ I booked three tours with Livitaly for my husband and I for our Roman Holiday and we enjoyed every minute! ” in 15 reviews

“ Rome ( colosseum , Roman forums, palatine hill and Vatican city) and Florence (walking tour with Dome access)! ” in 13 reviews

“ We booked a transfer from FCO to our hotel, a private 3 day tour, and a transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia. ” in 18 reviews

Location & Hours

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Via Crescenzio 19

Centro Storico

Serving Roma Area

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

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Overall rating

Our family toured the Roman Forum and Colosseum last Friday the 14th and Rebecca was our guide. We were a party of seven and she was top notch and completely knowledgeable with the facts and details concerning the history of the colosseum and surrounding area. We had a wonderful experience on our three hour tour and would definitely book with this company again.

See all photos from Chris H. for LivTours

We were paired with Luciana, who was an absolute joy. We toured the Vatican, which included the various hallways on the way to the Sistene Chapel, then through the Raphael rooms, and on to St Peters Basillica. Luciana was so knowledgeable about every little detail, and gave us the backstories on the paintings and sculptures, plus gave us a long time alone to view the Sistene Chapel. Apparently Michaelangelo was a bit of a diva! Who knew?So far I've been on 5 guided tours in Italy and this was the best by far.

Lori in St Peters

First let me say that this company Liv Tours had the technical right to treat us the way they did. But, that does not make it morally right. Their actions clearly indicate they do not care about the customer. My wife became very ill and we were unable to attend a scheduled tour. I contacted customer support one day before the tour and requested it be rescheduled due to her illness. My request was denied and I was told i had no right to reschedule since i had purchased a non refundable tour which i acknowledge. But, i was not asking for a refund...i was making a reasonable request to reschedule due to the illness. And, providing sufficient advance notice. So buyer beware....yes this company has many good reviews which is why i selected it. But, they have no compassion or common sense...to accomodate an extenuating circumstance. I will not do business with companies like this. And offer my experience for you to consider when selecting a tour company.

If I could give zero stars I would. I chose a tour with them and booked it months ago. Approx. one month from my travel date I received an email from them explaining that they were discontinuing a special element of the tour (this element was what made it unique from others). No offer for a discount, just a list of excuses. Of course being so close to my travel date I had a hard time finding a replacement. Luckily one was found, but at double the price. Terrible customer service and not dependable! Avoid!

Excellent!!! We booked a transfer from FCO to our hotel, a private 3 day tour, and a transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia. We're a couple from Florida, one of us had been to Rome before. Both of us couldn't believe the great experience we had. It's as though we had friends that took days off to walk us around the city. We had three guides over our 3 day tour, and each one was an absolute delight ( I apologize to Francheso, I can't find a photo). I've read many reviews online and I take each with a grain of salt. I will certainly be recommending LivTours to my friends, and I hope I've expressed our honest feelings about how great our experience was. I'll be contacting LivTours for a future tour in different locations in Italy.

Our awesome guide Julia

Our wonderful guide Patrizia

My wife and I did a semi-private tour (party of 6) of the Vatican with AnnaLisa during the morning of 7-23-21. AnnaLisa spent over 4 hours with us, explaining the back stories of the artists, architects, sculptors, and Popes for St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel, and a number of the Vatican Museums. One needs a full week to go through it all, but we came away with a real appreciation of the history of the Church and the Vatican after our time with AnnaLisa. She knows the shortcuts to minimize waiting time and how adjust the tour when Vatican Officials change the rules or close of a section with no notice. When the tour was done, AnneLisa took the extra time to show us a great restaurant where locals eat. Finally, the owners were great at communicating with us and it is obvious that they have a love for travel, education, and history. LivItaly Tours also arranged a nice coffee and snack break (no cost) half-way through the tour. If there were a 5 Star+ category, AnnaLisa and LivItaly Tours definitely earned it!

The 6 of us on Tour

This review is for their early entrance Vatican tour. We also did a private Venice tour which was amazing. Unfortunately, the Rome experience was totally different. The experience on these tours are completely dependent on who you get for a guide. This morning we were assigned Annalisa. Our group included my wife, her mother (79) and myself. All of us are very mobile however my mother in law uses a walker which doubles as a wheelchair for longer distance. We discussed and disclosed to Angelo as he advised would be fine as long as she was good with stairs. Issue came as Annalisa was slyly but purposely trying to discourage and leave us stranded. If watching the setup unfold wasn't so obvious (my wife understands and speaks Italian) it would have been concerning. As we took a different path and Annalisa set up a meeting spot for us and purposely avoided/snuck by us 3 minutes later we had to laugh. The crescendo of the disastrous experience was being left stranded inside the Sistine Chapel and being told we wouldn't be allowed to accompany her to the Basilica but was more than welcome to walk back outside the walls and wait in 3 hour line with the general public. We group separated from there but thankfully a guide from a competing company (The Tour Guy) saw the events unfold and was able to guide me. Please be aware if you are older and use a walker or walking sticks Livitaly may not be the best choice......from reading reviews we weren't Livitaly's only victims. Would help if they just disclosed upfront that they don't cater to older or slower persons as we saw plenty of older persons with competing tour groups. As far as the Venice tour earlier in week, 5 stars all the way!!!

My wife and I did Colosseum + Forum semi private tour (less than 6 people, we had 4 total people). Rafaella was our tour guide who was great. We did the underground tour as well which had amazing sites and we learned a lot. Great experience! Highly recommend it.

We booked the Early Entrance Small Group Vatican and St Peter's tour with LivItaly for 12/21/17. From the time we were greeted outside a cafe across the street from the Vatican entrance until our guide Luca left us on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica, we felt like valued members of the family. We very much appreciated Luca's time, knowledge and good humor. Luca was BY FAR the best tour guide we had during our 19 days away from home. It would be impossible to see the whole Vatican in a day, but Luca was able to share the highlights with us. We covered a lot of territory in a short amount of time, but at no time did we feel rushed or feel that Luca would be burdened to answer our questions. He has an incredible amount of knowledge about both buildings and also provided handouts for us prepared by LivItaly to enhance our time in the Sistine Chapel. We would not hesitate to book another tour with LivItaly Tours!

On the steps of St. Peter's Basilica with our guide Luca

Fabulous Rome Golf Cart Tour and Morning Vatican Tour!! Wonderful, kind and informative tour guides. Highly recommend.

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The Eternal City of Rome attracts travelers from all around the world thanks to its prestigious art, 2000-year old history and stunning landmarks. Book a LivItaly Tours small group or private tour to see the best of Rome. Skip-the-line Colosseum, Vatican Secret Rooms, Walking Tours of Rome, Cooking Classes. 50+ tours & experiences in Rome!

Small Group | max 6 people

Rome Small Group Walking Tour

LivItaly’s Rome Small Group Walking Tour is the perfect introduction to the Eternal City. Enjoy a small group with maximum 6 people, guaranteed. Let your expert guide give you a detailed description of the most famous highlights of the Eternal City on this captivating stroll. This tour includes a visit to the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and plenty more!

For 1 adult all inclusive

Mon, Wed & Sat at 5:30pm 2.5 hours

Trastevere & Jewish Ghetto Small Group Tour

LivItaly’s Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Small Group Tour offers travelers a fascinating exploration through two of Rome’s most historically rich neighborhoods. Learn another layer of Rome’s phenomenal history! The Jewish area of Rome (known as the Ghetto) tell the tale of Rome from over 2,000 years ago. In this small group tour, you will be able to learn about the gripping history of the Jewish population in Rome, and their impact on the city’s ancient and contemporary life.

Tue & Fri at 10am 2 hrs

Small Group Rome Bike Tour | Ebike in Rome

LivItaly's Small Group Rome e-Bike Tour is perfect for those wanting a fun and refreshing day out of the city. Meet your local LivItaly guide at a central location in Rome and get comfortable on your e-bikes. Ride along the ancient Roman Baths of Caracalla, through archway doors onto Via Appia Antica, one of the oldest and most important roads of a...

Tue, Fri, Sun at 10am 3 hrs

Express Early Sistine Chapel Tour | Small Group

LivItaly’s Express Early Sistine Chapel Tour is designed for travelers who want to make the most of their time in Rome and go directly to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel without spending hours of touring the Vatican Museums. There is no waiting in line and no elbowing your way through the pesky surge of crowds on your way to Michelangelo’s masterpiece. It’s the perfect way to get a head start on your day!

Mon, Thu & Sat at 7.30am 105 mins

St Peter’s Basilica Tour – Small Group | Michelangelo’s Dome & Papal Tombs

St Peter's Basilica  is the world's largest church, which holds the underground tombs of over ninety-one Popes and is home to one of the most stunning architectural works of the Renaissance, Michelangelo's Dome. LivItaly's St Peter's Basilica Tour is designed to take through 2000 years of Christian history, while taking you on a comprehensive guided tour from the sacred papal tombs all the way to the top of majestic views from Michelangelo's dome.

Mon, Thu, Fri & Sat at 7:45 am 2:15

Rome Morning Tour | Small Group Sightseeing at Sunrise

One of the best ways to see Rome is early in the morning while travelers are still fast asleep and Romans are having their morning cappuccino and cornetto at the local bar before work. LivItaly's Rome Morning Tour will show you a different side of Rome - the quieter side! Tour includes a typical Italian breakfast of cornetto & cappuccino.

Tues, Thurs, Sun at 7.00am 2 hours

Borghese Gallery Small Group Tour

Experience the intimate Galleria Borghese with our Borghese Gallery Small Group Tour. This magnificent art museum truly merits a guided visit and we guarantee your small group will be impressed by the collection. Treat yourself in this oasis of beauty and enjoy a 2 hour guided explanation through these masterpieces. You will find many of Italy’s ...

Tues, Fri & Sun at 3pm 2 hrs

The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access | Semi-Private Tour

Now featuring Gladiator Gate Entrance and Arena Floor! Walk in the footsteps of the Ancient Romans and learn the incredible history of the once-great Roman Empire on this ultimate Colosseum Tour. Experience the Colosseum with our very own Virtual Reality glasses. Includes Palatine Hill & Roman Forum.

Tue, Thur, Sat & Sun at 1.30pm 3 hrs

Vatican & Sistine Chapel Small Group Tour

This Vatican tour is an ideal way to experience the Vatican Museums and get a complete overview of one of the world’s largest art collections. Your Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour will take you throughout all the highlights of the Vatican, taking you from antiquity to Renaissance, passing by modern art. This museum has it all – over 2000 years of history under just one roof!

Daily (except Sundays) at 10am and 2.30pm 3 hrs

COUPON CODE

gladiatorgate

Virtual Reality Tour | Colosseum and Domus Aurea Tour

Experience cutting edge trends in tourism, with VR to give you a visual idea of what Ancient Rome looked like 2000 years ago. You will be guided throughout the Colosseum with an expert guide and then accompanied to the opulent Domus Aurea, Nero’s Golden Palace for a full circle view of Roman life. Learn about the power and wealth of one of the most important empires in the world – the Roman Empire!

Sat and Sun at 10am 3 hrs

Evening Drinks & Golf Cart Tour Rome | Small Group

This Evening Drinks & Golf Cart Tour Rome is perfect for those looking for a fun social tour in the heart of the city! Enjoy the comfort of traveling around in a zippy golf cart, with your local driver as your guide. Learn the art of aperitivo, one of Italy’s favorite social traditions, as you hop on and off your golf cart visiting three loc...

Mon, Wed, Sat at 6pm 3 hrs

Catacombs & Underground Rome Small Group

How do historians and archaeologists learn about Ancient History? By exploring underground of course! Over the past few centuries underground exploration has revealed a vast amount of sites ranging from cult Pagan temples to early Christian Catacombs. This exclusive small group tour will visit two amazing sites, learning the secrets of the many la...

Tues and Fri at 10.00am, Sun at 3.00pm 2.5 hrs

Vatican Night Tour | Small Group Tour

Beat the hot Roman summers, with a cool night tour. This seasonal Vatican tour is ideal to escape the day crowds and enjoy a brisk summer evening in one of the most iconic sites in all of Italy. The tour covers all the highlights of the Vatican Museums including the stunning Sistine Chapel. This wonderful experience lets you see the treasured art collection in a different light – moonlight!

Friday Nights at 8pm 3 hrs

Vatican Early Entrance Small Group Tour

This Early Entrance Vatican Tour is ideal for people who want to get an early start on their day and get the very best of Vatican City. Travelers will get to see the Vatican Museums one entire hour before the general public. Tour includes a visit to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, the Pinecone Courtyard, Octagonal Courtyard, Gallery of the Maps, Gallery of Tapestries and the Raphael Rooms!

Daily (except Sun and Wed) at 7.30am 3.5 hrs

Colosseum Underground Tour with Arena, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum

Get access to two restricted areas of the Colosseum including the Colosseum Underground and Colosseum Arena Floor. These are two areas which very few tourists get to see due to extreme ticket limitation. Visit the areas where gladiators and beasts awaited their fate before the infamous arena games. See it all come full circle!

Varies 3 hrs

Morning Vatican Tour with Secret Room | Small Group Tour

This is an ideal tour for travelers who are seeing the Vatican for the first time or are returning visitors who would like to see even more of the Vatican Museums. Travelers will get direct access to a secret room that is unlocked exclusively for LivItaly guests. Your Morning Vatican Tour includes access to the Cabinet of the Masks, Hall of Animals, Hall of Busts, Gallery of Tapestries, Belvedere Torso, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel and plenty more stops to give you an overview of the Vatican unlike any other.

Mon, Thu & Sat at 8.30am 3.5 hrs

Rome Catacombs Night Tour | Small Group | VIP Access After Closing

LivItaly's Rome Catacombs Night Tour will take you to one of the most exclusive ancient burial grounds located in Northern Rome, where you will explore the hidden passageways of underground Rome and explore the stunning above ground basilica with only LivItaly tour groups in the whole entire site. LivItaly has an exclusive collaboration which allow...

Saturdays at 5.15pm 2.5 hours

Private Morning Vatican Tour with Secret Room

LivItaly’s Private Morning Vatican Tour with Secret Room is the perfect tour for travelers who want a comprehensive look at the Vatican with a focus on masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, Bramante, Botticelli, Perugino and other greats! This tour is unlike most Vatican tours as it also includes the unlocking of a Vatican secret room which is closed off to the public, hidden behind velvet ropes.

Up to 2 adults all inclusive

Daily (except Sun) at 8.30am 3.5 hrs

Private Vatican Breakfast Tour | VIP Breakfast & Museums Tours

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not enjoy it in one of the most important places in Rome - the Vatican Museums! LivItaly's Private Vatican Breakfast Tour includes VIP direct access into the Vatican Museums before opening to the general public, a service reserved only for Vatican Silver Level Collaborators and a comprehensive tour of the Museums including Sistine Chapel.

Daily (except Sundays) at 7.00am 4 hrs

LIVITALY ROME EXPERIENCES

Rome Food Tour | Small Group Tour

Food is essential to understand Italian history and culture. With our Rome food tour you are guaranteed to leave with a belly full of food and a head full of knowledge. Learn about the history of Italian cuisine and how it evolved through the ages. On each unique stop your small group will get a chance to taste the delicious food and learn basic wi...

Tues, Fri & Sun at 6.30pm | Mon, Thurs & Sun at 12.30pm 3 hours

Vespa Rome Small Group Tour

COLOSSEUM TOUR! Riding on a Vespa is the quintessential Roman experience, and one every adventurous traveler should experience! Imagine being in your very own version of the film ‘Roman Holiday’, as you explore the winding cobblestoned streets of the beautiful Eternal City. Hop on board your classic & stylish motorbike and experience Rome as the Romans do!

Thu & Sun at 10am 3 hrs

AS Roma Tickets with VIP Hospitality

[review-stars]"The AS Roma bench was just below us, giving us a great angle on the players (Totti!). By the end of the night my throat was sore from cheering even though I was just keeping up with the rest of the crowd." - Justin, New York Enjoy being a VIP with Executive Seats at the Stadio Olimpico and experience a real Italian so...

Seasonal dates 4 hours

Book 3, Save 15

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Rome Golf Cart Private Tour

See the Eternal City in a comfort in an eco-friendly golf cart with your very own private tour guide who will drive you around the city! This tour includes most of the highlights of Rome and a few hidden gems along the way. This is a perfect tour to get to know the whole city, inside and out. Sit back, enjoy the breeze and views!

Every day from 9am to 7pm 3 hours

Marilee’s Private Cooking Class in Rome

Have you always wanted to learn how to cook Italian food? With this exciting experience you and your group will get a full private cooking class in Rome. Learn how to make pasta by hand, prepare a traditional four course meal and, best of all, eat your homemade feast for dinner afterwards! Italian mothers are, without a doubt, the prized chefs o...

Every day (except Sunday) at 10:30am 3-4 hrs

Rome Helicopter Tour | Rome City Tour from Above

The city of Rome is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world, and LivItaly's Rome Helicopter Tour wants to help travelers experience it as best possible, but this time from up in the air! This Rome City Tour from Above is designed for the traveler who is looking for a bit of adventure to experience this Eternal City in a way that very ...

Up to 5 adults all inclusive

Every day from 9am to 5.30pm From 30 minutes to 1 hrs

Ferrari Portofino Driving Experience through Castelli Romani

Explore the beautiful landscapes of Castelli Romani by driving the car of your dreams with our Ferrari Portofino Driving Experience through Castelli Romani! Your experience will begin by being privately chauffeured from your hotel to the Baths of Caracalla, one of the largest and best preserved ancient thermal complexes in the world. From th...

Every day at 8.30am Full day

LIVITALY FAMILY-FRIENDLY ROME TOURS

Private Family Experiences: Colosseum Tour for Kids

Ideal for families who want a tour that gets children excited about history, seeing the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. LivItaly’s original Colosseum Family tour is the perfect way to engage the little ones and adults in one tour. The whole family will enjoy an exciting exploration with an activity booklet and prizes for the little winners!

Daily from 9:30am 2.5 hrs

Private Family Experience: Vatican Tour for Kids

LivItaly’s Vatican Family Tour is a fantastic way to get kids excited about history, and a fun experience for the entire family! This kid-friendly Vatican tour includes highlights of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and some gems such as the pope’s carriages and more, added exclusively for the little ones! This tour is designed specifically to get kids excited about learning.

Daily (except Sun) at 10.00am and 2.00pm 2.5 hrs

Family Experiences | Rome Catacombs for Kids

LivTours Rome Catacombs for Kids is the perfect tour to keep your entire family happy! Join your private family-friendly guide as you journey through centuries of burial rituals and archaeological wonders. LivTours has made this a kid-centric tour allowing your kids to learn while having fun. Your little adventurers will feel like archeologists w...

Every day (except Tues) at 10am 2.5 hrs

DAY TRIPS FROM ROME

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Liv Tours Review 2024

By: Author Ashley Brown

Posted on Published: January 24, 2024

Liv Tours (or LivTours) is a company headquartered in Rome , Italy, that provides small group tours and private tours throughout Europe . A family-owned company, LivTours is known for exceptional customer service and top-notch experiences.

With a rating of 4.8 on Google, LivTours reviews are almost entirely positive. Read on to learn all about this company in our comprehensive Liv Tours review.

Liv Tours Review: What It Is

As we mentioned above, LivTours is an Italian-based tour provider that specializes in very small group (max of 6 people) and private tours. Who owns LivTours? LivTours is owned by a former Italian tour guide and his Swedish wife, who met in Rome. Originally named LivItaly Tours, the company was renamed when they expanded their offerings to other European countries.

LivTours prides themselves on their high quality, fun, service-oriented, sustainable approach to tours. They have a guaranteed refund policy and are recommended by top travel media like Fodor’s, Conde Nast Traveler, and National Geographic.

Liv Tours Review: What They Offer

LivTours offers a huge variety of experiences in Rome (including the Vatican), Florence and Tuscany , the Amalfi Coast including Pompeii and Capri, Venice , Milan, Ferrari test drives in Maranello, Sicily , Bologna, Verona, Modena, Cinque Terre, Paris , Barcelona , Andalusia, London , and Austria.

They have more than 350 tours available all over Europe (Italy, France , Spain , England, and Austria), and each is either private or semi-private. The semi-private tours are all very small groups with a maximum of six people, and private tours are customizable.

Tours include a variety of top tourist sites as well as activities like wine tastings, boat cruises, and bike rides. They also have shore excursions available for travelers on cruise ships . In addition to providing expert professional guides, LivTours offers exclusive access and “skip the line” tickets for the best possible experience. They’re also committed to responsible tourism practices.

You can choose tours by destination and by type of category, including food and drinks, museums, archaeology, walking, sports/action/adventure, full day tours, day trips, off the beaten path, outdoor activities, family, women’s history, VIP, and honeymoon and romance.

Some of the most popular LivTours for honeymoons and romantic trips are the Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour, the St. Mark’s Basilica at Night tour, the Golf Cart & Drinks Evening Tour of Rome, the semi-private Borough Market Tour and Brunch Experience in London, the Private Evening SoHo London Food Tour, the Sunset Barcelona Bike Tour, the Semi-Private Tapas & Flamenco Tour of Barcelona, the Semi-Private Food Tour in Florence, the Private Florence Tour & Drawing Class, the Private Montmartre Tour and Ile de la Cite Tour in Paris, the Private Evening Gondola Ride and City Stroll in Venice, the Private Cooking Class in Rome, the Private Chianti Wine Tasting and Tuscany Experience, the VIP Lake Como Tour from Milan, and the Private Full Day Ferrari & Food Experience.

Over 60 choices for Liv Tours Rome include the very popular golf cart tour of the city; tours of all the top neighborhoods and attractions like the Colosseum, Forum, Catacombs, and Trastevere; museum and gallery tours; food tours and cooking classes; night tours; walking, Vespa, and e-bike tours; private tours of Ostia Antica, Orvieto, Castel Sant’Angelo; private day trips to Tivoli, Assisi, and more; and a private helicopter tour of the city.

Liv Tours Paris options include more than 30 choices such as exclusive access to the top tier of the Eiffel Tower; Louvre tours; tours of top neighborhoods like Montmartre and Ile de la Cite; walking tours and bike tours; food tours; museum tours; family experiences; a private Eiffel Tower tour with a cruise on the Seine; Paris in a Day; private tours of Versailles Palace and Gardens by golf cart; a private full day excursion to the Champagne region; and a private tour of Versailles plus Monet’s gardens at Giverny.

There are about 25 Liv tours in Venice including city highlights, St. Mark’s Basilica at night, a private rowing experience in a Venetian lagoon, food and wine tours, walking tours, private tours of the Doge’s Palace with exclusive access to secret rooms, private evening gondola rides and city strolls, family experiences, private Murano glass blowing tours with water taxi, private ghost tours, private tours of the islands around Venice, and a private day trip to go hiking in the Dolomites.

Liv tours in Florence include 30 choices such as a gelato-making class; museum tours including the Uffizi Gallery (with first access); food tours; walking tours; artisan tours; evening tours; full day tours of the city; a Rome to Florence tour by train a private city tour and drawing class; a private Palazzo Pitti tour with access to the Boboli Gardens; family experiences; private day trips to Lucca, Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano; and private day trips into Tuscany with wine tasting and horseback riding.

There are more than 20 Livtours London options, including a gin tasting experience, a private chauffeured visit to the Harry Potter Studio, a full day tour of the city’s highlights, a private visit to Windsor Castle, a private full day excursion to Bath and Stonehenge, private museum tours, food tours, walking tours, family experiences, and more.

Semi-private tours have a minimum of two people and a maximum of six. If you have a larger group, you can book a private tour for up to 15 people. While semi-private tours don’t include pick-ups, you can add a pick-up from your hotel to any private tour for a small fee.

Liv Tours Review: Ratings

LivTours has a rating on Google of 4.8 and a rating 0f 5 on TripAdvisor. Most Livtours reviews are extremely positive, praising the high quality of the experiences and the knowledgeable, friendly, and professional guides. Many people did multiple tours during one trip and were happy with all of them.

Livtours Rome reviews especially rave about the Liv Tours Rome by golf cart excursion and the Liv tours Colosseum tour. Livtours London reviews repeatedly compliment the Highlights of London Full Day Guided Tour, saying how well-organized it is and how well-informed, personable, and accommodating the guides are.

Liv Tours Review: How to Book

You can easily browse the various Liv Tours available in the destination you’re going to on their website, livtours.com, or in the LivTours app. Real-time availability is shown up to three hours before departure so you can book last-minute tours.

After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email and voucher which you don’t need to print out. Those will include all the necessary information such as when and where to meet, what to wear, etc. When you arrive, your guide will just need your name and LVO number.

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance.

If you don’t know your exact travel dates yet, you can prepurchase tours by using the “choose dates later” option when booking. LivTours also offers Gift Experience Vouchers (which make excellent wedding presents—put them on your honeymoon registry !).

Liv Tours Review: Cost

The prices of tours vary depending on the location and duration, as well as whether they are private or semi-private. Currently prices range from under 100 euros per person to multiple thousands of euros, but most tours are between 100 and 1500 euros.

For example, the semi-private Colosseum Tour with Underground and Roman Forum starts at 159 euros ,the semi-private LivTours Golf Cart Rome Tour starts at 258 euros, the private Chianti Tasting and Half-Day Florence Experience starts at 869 euros, and the private Exclusive VIP Capri Private Boat Tour starts at 1129 euros.

Prices are all-inclusive. Children under 3 are free. You can get a Liv Tours promo code for 5% off your first tour if you sign up for their email newsletter.

Now that you’ve read our Liv Tours review, what do you think? Would you book a tour with them? Have you used LivTours before? Let us know in the comments!

Ashley has always loved to explore new places and indulges her passion for travel whenever she can. She has been to 12 countries and 32 states so far.

Ashley has worked as a freelance writer for more than 20 years, specializing in the areas of travel, marketing, personal development, and the pursuit of happiness.

Favorite destinations include Sorrento and Capri, Italy; Haarlem, Netherlands; Paris; Sydney and K’gari, Australia; Rotorua and Waiheke Island, New Zealand; the American West; Palm Beach; the Florida Keys; and her hometown of New Orleans. Ashley has a goal of visiting every state plus many more international destinations.

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On Location: Shot All Over Italy, Netflix's 'Ripley' Takes Us to Capri, Atrani, and More

By Emily Zemler

Ripley , Steve Zaillian’s eight-episode adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley , takes its protagonist on a jet-setting tour of Italy . After the titular con man (Andrew Scott) is hired by a wealthy New York socialite to bring his son Dickie Greenleaf (Johnny Flynn) back from Europe, Tom finds himself immersed in a precarious game of cat and mouse with the Italian police when he takes on Dickie’s identity to access his money. The story takes Tom from Manhattan to Italy, where he spends time in Atrani , Rome , Naples , San Remo, Palermo, and Venice . The series shot in many of the real places, including the real seaside town that takes over for the novel’s fictional setting of Mongibello.

Ripley follows the titular Tom (Andrew Scott) as he assumes the identity of a wealthy friend.

No real train stations were used in the making of the series, with production designer David Gropman building a composite in a hall at the Esposizione Universale Roma.

“The model for the book is Positano,” Ripley production designer David Gropman explains of the popular coastal resort town, which is known for its steep, winding streets and vibrantly colored houses. “Patricia Highsmith used a different name for it, but it’s definitely Positano. The Hotel Miramare is a real hotel in Positano, but we shot it all in Atrani because Steve fell in love with Atrani.”

Due to pandemic delays, Gropman spent nearly two years in Italy between scouting and filming. Ripley was shot largely on location, with some sets built on soundstages. The episodes were filmed entirely in black and white as a reference to the cinema of the time period, and there was an emphasis on showcasing Italy’s impressive architecture. “It’s just all around you,” Gropman notes. “To be able to shoot in these wonderful buildings was an amazing experience.”

In total, Gropman estimates that Ripley was filmed in more than 200 locations in Italy and New York. Here he explains some of the key sets.

Where the beloved 1999 movie adaptation was filmed largely in Ischia, the series is set in Atrani and films there as well as San Remo, Rome, and more.

Where did you film in New York City?

It gets harder and harder to do a period piece in New York City, so we scouted everywhere from Harlem to the Lower East Side . We ended up in Chinatown on Madison Street, which is just below the Manhattan Bridge, for Tom’s apartment. We used Mechanics Alley, which Tom walks through after he gets off the subway and feels he’s being followed. The antique store was in the West Village. It’s an empty space. The shipyard [where Dickie’s father works] was at the [Brooklyn] Navy Yard in an old warehouse space.

What locations did you use in Atrani?

The piazza [Piazzetta Umberto]. The exterior of Marge’s house. The beautiful beach. One of my favorite locations is the little post office, which was really a garage with strange proportions that just felt so right to me. I love the fact that it’s sitting in a little tunnel that runs through the town square. We also didn’t think we were going to put the bus stop [where Tom gets off] in Atrani. If you know the Amalfi coast at all, there's one two-lane road that runs through all of it, so being able to control traffic for the few scenes we had was not easy. But you get this fantastic view when Tom’s on the road looking back down into the square.

Positano's Hotel Miramare was used as a model for Ripley's hotel in Atrani, the interior of which was actually a private home. The exterior was an entrance to a convent.

Where was your version of the real-life Hotel Miramare?

The exterior was an entrance to a convent in Atrani and the interior was a private home we stripped out and made into the hotel. It had that beautiful room on the corner, where Tom stays, and it looks out to the sea and to Dickie’s house.

Was Dickie’s house an actual villa?

It was actually a villa in Capri , Villa Torricella. We looked at a lot of possible villas and palazzi. We had seen something in Ischia, where [ The Talented Mr. Ripley ] film was shot. But Steve had been in Capri for the film festival a number of times and noticed this villa and was so taken with it. There are three different factions of a family that live in the house, so the parts of the villa were broken up. We had to negotiate with all the different families to get permission to use the different parts of the house to put together Dickie’s house.

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Where did you shoot the pivotal scene between Tom and Dickie that takes place in San Remo?

We shot the water scenes and the beach of San Remo in Anzio, although most of the boat sequence was shot in a swimming pool that was on the property of our special effects coordinator.

Water scenes and the beach of Atrani were filmed in Anzio, a fishing port.

When he gets to Rome, Tom checks into the Hotel Excelsior. Did you shoot in the real hotel?

We shot the Hotel Excelsior in three different places and none of them was the Hotel Excelsior . We shot the exterior at the Hassler Roma . We shot the interior at the The Plaza [in New York City.] The scenes with the front desk were in the ballroom where we built the [check-in] counter. And we shot Tom and [Dickie’s rich school friend who becomes Tom’s rival] Freddie’s suites at Palazzo Ruspoli in Rome, which is from the 16th century. There are quite a few hotels on Tom’s journey and none of them was one simple location. His hotel room in Palermo was in Rome, with the exterior in Palermo. In the script the Hotel Bolivar had a different name, but we found a hotel with an amazing flight of stairs up to it with a sign at the top that said Hotel Bolivar, so we used it, although those rooms were shot at a house in Rome.

Caravaggio’s paintings appear throughout the series. Were any of them real?

When Tom is in Palermo he goes to a little chapel, the Oratory of Saint Lawrence and it had a painting by Caravaggio [ Nativity with Saints Lawrence and Francis of Assisi ], which was stolen. It was replaced with a replica, so that’s what you see in the series. The only real Caravaggio we filmed was in Naples.

At the end of the series, Tom goes to live in Venice. How did you find the right palazzo for his house?

A number of years ago, I did a film called Casanova with Heath Ledger and became pretty familiar with all of the palazzi in Venice. I had that particular one, Palazzo Contarini Polignac , earmarked when I read this script, although we looked at a lot.

Many amazing flights of stairs are featured in the series.

Ripley was not originally going to stay at a Hotel Bolivar in the script, which was changed once this sign atop a flight of stairs was found.

Were there any challenging locations to find?

We couldn’t shoot in any actual train stations or on any actual train platforms. We never entertained pursuing Rome Termini [in Rome] because logistically it would have been practically impossible. And although the spectacular architecture is intact, everything from modern customs booths and turnstiles to advertising kiosks would have been a big obstacle. We could use the EUR, the Esposizione Universale Roma, which is this kind of city created by the government in hopes of hosting the 1942 World Fair. We turned their big meeting hall into the station. We used another of their buildings as the bank in Rome where Tom goes. The Naples train station didn’t actually open until 1960, so we had to cheat that in an empty, grand hospital from the late ’30s.

Did you spend time anywhere while in Italy that you would recommend?

Hotel Locarno is my favorite hotel in Rome. We moved into an apartment, but we started out and ended up there. To eat: Restaurant L’Arcangelo , Carter Oblio , Marzapane , and Nevi di Latte Gelateria . To see: Museo Nazionale Romano , Musei Capitolini , and Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major .

Ripley is now streaming on Netflix.

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