From the number of tour reviews I’ve published on this site, you guys know that I love a good tour. And you probably know by now that my favourite tour company in Rome is The Roman Guy. Which is why I partnered with them last month to help a group of bloggers get to know the best of Rome in a day, in collaboration with The RomeHello hostel!

After chatting with Lorna & Sian from The Roman Guy, we settled on their Best of Rome Driving and Walking Tour. It’s incredibly easy to get around many of the big sights in Rome on foot. But when you’re short on time, trying to see Rome in a day, and also want to see sights tucked away up one of the seven hills of Rome, then having a driver helps a lot!

I’ve also experienced their luxury transport before, and know just how comfortable it is! We used their drivers on the day I spent with the company exploring the hidden gems of Rome. Just like last time, our driver was friendly and flexible. Which is exactly what you need when on a whirlwind tour of Rome in a day!

My Experience on The Best of Rome Driving and Walking Tour With The Roman Guy

Our tour with our lovely and energetic tour guide, Maura, began in Piazza della Minerva.

Here we got to know the hilarious history of the feud between Father Giuseppe Paglia and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, under the watchful gaze of Bernini’s Elephant and Obelisk. While this history is most likely heresy, it brings Bernini’s beautiful sculpture of his elephant to life.

P.s. This photo is from a different day in Piazza della Minerva, which is why the sky isn’t grey like it was during the day of our tour!

From Piazza della Minerva, we continued on to one of my favourite buildings in the world… the Pantheon! I’ve been there plenty of times before. But it was such a joy to share it with the group, especially those who were visiting for the first time.

Now one of the main reasons love touring with The Roman Guy is because each time I learn something new. This couldn’t have been more true of my experience at San Luigi dei Francesi…

Plautilla Bricci in San Luigi dei Francesi

After Maura learnt that our group was keen to find out more about Caravaggio, she led us to the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi. This stunning 16th Century church is home to the Cappella Contarelli: a chapel painted on three sides by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

It was the first time I had seen Caravaggio’s trio of paintings on the theme of Saint Matthew the Evangelist. They were undoubtedly masterpieces for their time and still today.

But it was another chapel that really caught my eye: Capella San Luigi Re di Francia.

Churches often reflect shimmering golden colours of orange, yellow, and brown. But this chapel was blindingly white. The light that shone through windows just seemed to bounce off the white sculpted ceiling, and the white and blue robes of St Louis.

Maura saw me lingering around the deserted chapel. She came over to stand with me, and I soon learnt that this chapel was designed, sculpted, and painted by a women, Plautilla Bricci!

To see such an incredible work of art by anyone is breathtaking. But to see a work of art by a women working in the 17th Century is another thing all together. In fact, this 1904 book about women in the fine arts states that Bricci was “the only woman of her time in this profession”!

Exploring Aventine Hill with The Roman Guy

From the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Maura led us through Piazza Navona, explaining some of the intricate architecture and the history behind it. And once we emerged from the Piazza, it was time to meet our driver and hop in our luxury car for a trip up to Aventine Hill!

For those not familiar with the myth of the twins Romulus and Remus, and their role in the founding of Rome, then click here for a fantastic overview written by The Roman Guy. But essentially, the twins were said to have founded their ‘cities’ on two opposing hills. Remus chose the Aventine Hill. And from the incredible views we witnessed from the top of the hill, it’s not hard to see why.

Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino

Our first stop atop Aventine Hill was the stunning Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino.

This basilica is the oldest surviving Roman basilica that retains it’s original architectural style. Which is just incredible to see! If the size of it doesn’t impress you enough, consider the fact that it was completed in 432 and took ten years to build!

Photo Stop at Giardino degli Aranci

From the Basilica di Santa Sabina all’Aventino, we took a few steps to the entrance of Giardino degli Aranci, the Orange Garden. This beautiful park is also known as the Parco Savello. The name commemorates the Savelli family who built a fortress on the same spot, the walls of which still surround the garden today.

But the most magnificent aspect of the park comes in the form of the panoramic terrace at the North-Western end of the garden. Overlooking the Tiber river, and the city of Rome, it was the perfect spot for our group to stop and take photos. Which Maura was more than happy to let us do!

Our next stop on our whirlwind tour of Rome in a day should have been the Aventine Keyhole. But our patient driver had already taken a look at the spot, and told us that we would be queuing for a while. With time running short, we decided as a group to move on elsewhere and get as much out of the tour as we possibly could!

So we headed in the direction of Piazza Venezia, with a quick drive-by of Circo Massimo. Circo Massimo is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium that is now used as a public park. But in it’s time, it would have held over 150,000 spectators!

Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli

Once we arrived at Piazza Venezia, our driver dropped us at the bottom the overwhelming Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli.

This is one of my favourite places in the whole of Rome and as we were passing by anyway, Maura took us inside! In my opinion, the Basilica is one of the most peaceful places in Rome. But I also think the view from the top of the 124 steps that lead up to it is one of the most impressive in the city!

Once again, Maura had delighted our group of bloggers with the perfect view of Rome…

Finishing up at Campidoglio

Once we had finished up inside the church, our final destination was Campidoglio, or the Capitoline Hill in English.

The sun was still setting over the incredible Ancient Roman Forums behind the Campidoglio, and Maura taught us more about the myth of the founding of Rome as we passed by the bronze sculpture of the Capitoline Wolf.

Our final stop was in the Piazza del Campidoglio. Designed by the famous artist, Michelangelo, the Piazza was recreated to face towards the Vatican City, and the new city of Rome. For the first time in it’s history, the Piazza was arranged with it’s back facing the Ancient Roman Forum.

Thanks to The Roman Guy

There are some sights on this list that aren’t mentioned on the tour’s web page. And others that are, which we didn’t visit. The reason for this is that some of my group had already seen some of the sights (such as the Trevi, and the Spanish Steps).

So instead of rigidly sticking with a plan, Maura and our driver spontaneously suggested new stops on the itinerary that would give everyone of us something extra special to take away with us after our tour. Which is so awesome – thanks Maura!

Like it? Pin it!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my day out with The Roman Guy on their Best of Rome Driving & Walking Tour as much as I’ve enjoyed writing about it! If you want to read more reviews that I’ve written about The Roman Guy tour company, just click here! And if you’re struggling with plans to see the best of Rome in a day, then I highly recommend this tour!

I’d also like to mention that this tour was taken as part of a blogger weekend that I ran while working at The RomeHello: Rome’s newest hostel!

TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS: Which location on this tour would you most like to see when you visit Rome?!