Guest tours in Rome
The IUS 2009 Committee has organized five individually priced local tours for the guests of attendees during the 2009 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium. We are pleased to announce that there is no minimum registration requirement for the guest tour this year, so there is no risk of a tour being cancelled due to too few registrants. There is an English tour guide on every tour.
Monday morning, September 21
Tour 1 - Classical Rome
TREVI FOUNTAIN, PANTHEON, ST. PETER’S BASILICA, AND PIAZZA NAVONA
Approx. 3 hours
An itinerary by coach and on foot to visit the classic monuments of Rome.
Crossing Piazza della Repubblica with the Fountain of the Nayads, our local guide will take you on a pleasant stroll through the historical centre, where you can admire the Trevi Fountain, La Colonna di Marco Aurelio, the Palazzo di Montecitorio, designed by Bernini, the Pantheon (visit inside), Palazzo Madama - seat of the senate, and Piazza Navona. Passing along side Castel S. Angelo the bus will leave you close to the Vatican City. Having admired St. Peter’s Square where you can hear all the guide has to say about the Basilica, you will then have the chance (except when there are religious celebrations) to explore this magnificent church on your own and to admire masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s “La Pietà” and Bernini’s bronze canopy before rejoining the bus and returning to the vicinity of your hotel.
DEPARTURE:
From Ergife Hotel 8:00/8:40 am
COST: $45
* ENTRANCE TO CHURCHES REQUIRES APPROPRIATE ATTIRE (NO SHORTS, MINISKIRTS OR UNCOVERED SHOULDERS).
Monday afternoon, September 21
Tour 2 - Imperial Rome
PIAZZA VENEZIA, ROMAN FORUM, COLOSSEUM, CIRCUS MAXIMUS, BASILICA OF ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS
Approx. 3 hours
Arriving by coach at Piazza Venezia with its impressive monument dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II and the Unknown Soldier you then continue on foot to the famous Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo from where you will have a fantastic view of the Roman Forum. Our coach will continue by the Circus Maximus and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius before arriving at the Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls* (visit inside). The tour will be completed with a stop outside the imposing Colosseum. Return to the vicinity of your hotel.
DEPARTURE:
From Ergife Hotel 2:00/2:40 pm
COST: $45
*ENTRANCE TO CHURCHES REQUIRES APPROPRIATE ATTIRE (NO SHORTS, MINISKIRTS OR UNCOVERED SHOULDERS).
Tuesday morning, September 22
Tour 3 - Vatican Museums
VATICAN MUSEUMS, SISTINE CHAPEL, GALLERY OF THE TAPESTRIES
Approx. 4 hours
The tour begins by coach passing through Piazza della Repubblica with the Fountain of the Nayads and following the ancient Aurelian walls which once surrounded the ancient city. On route you will see the famous Villa Borghese park and the northern gate of the ancient city leading into Piazza del Popolo where you will see an Egyptian obelisk dating back to the time of Ramses II. Finally, on arrival at the Vatican Walls, your guide will then lead you into the Vatican Museums* taking the beautiful Spiral staircase and continuing through the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps before arriving in the famous Sistine Chapel* with its magnificent fresco of the Last Judgement by Michelangelo. Return to the vicinity of your hotel.
DEPARTURE:
From Hotel 6:30/7:40 am
COST: $75
*ENTRANCE TO VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL REQUIRES APPROPRIATE ATTIRE (NO SHORTS, MINISKIRTS OR UNCOVERED SHOULDERS).
Wednesday morning, September 23
Tour 4 - Papal Audience
Approx. 3-4 hours
In order to arrive at the Vatican City we pass by some of the most famous sights of the city, starting with the Piazza della Repubblica with its Nayad Fountain then the beautiful Piazza Barberini with Bernini’s lovely Baroque Tritone Fountain. Continuing along the famous Via Veneto, we reach and then follow the ancient Aurelian Walls passing by the impressive Villa Borghese park until we get to the Piazza del Popolo, the northern entrance into ancient Rome with its Egyptian obelisk dating back to the time of Ramses II.
Just before arriving at St. Peter’s Square we pass by the massive Castel S. Angelo the ancient tomb of Emperor Hadrian. The Papal Audience will take place either in St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica or the Audience Hall; according to seasonal conditions and the number of pilgrims involved. Our local guide will advise you when and where to meet the bus at the end of the audience. Return to the vicinity of your hotel.
DEPARTURE:
From Hotel 7:00/7:40 am
COST: $45
* IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER THE AUDIENCE HALL IN SHORTS, MINISKIRTS OR UNCOVERED SHOULDERS
Wednesday afternoon, September 23
Tour 5 - Christian Rome
THE BASILICAS OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE AND SAINT JOHN IN LATERAN, THE ANCIENT APPIAN WAY AND THE CATACOMBS
Approx. 3-4 hours
The first stop will be on the Esquiline Hill where our guide will show you some of the treasures inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, before continuing by coach to stop and see the Holy Staircase and the Lateran Palace before visiting inside the Basilica of San Giovanni*, the cathedral of Rome. Then proceeding along the Ancient Appian Way, you will pass by the Chapel of “Domine Quo Vadis?” before arriving at the Catacombs, the ancient underground cemeteries and first hiding places for the Christians. A visit will be made to either the Catacombs of S. Callisto, Santa Domitilla or San Sebastiano depending upon seasonal conditions. The tour will end with a spectacular view of the Baths of Emperor Caracalla. Return to the vicinity of your hotel.
DEPARTURE:
From Hotel 2:00/2:40 pm
COST: $56
*ENTRANCE TO BASILICAS AND CATACOMBS REQUIRES APPROPRIATE ATTIRE (NO SHORTS, MINISKIRTS OR UNCOVERED SHOULDERS). IT IS ALSO ADVISABLE TO WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES FOR BOTH VISITS.
