Classics school trips to Rome

Once the centre of the world’s greatest empire, Rome is an educationally rich destination for a classics school trip. During your visit, your students can gaze in awe at ancient sites that were once frequented by Rome’s greatest thinkers and writers, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Circus Maximus. Through dozens of excursions, your group can gain a close-up view of the culture and literature of the Roman Empire, its architecture, political institutions, the development of democracy and everyday life for its citizens.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES


Day 1
  • Depart the UK and travel to Rome
  • Spanish Steps
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Evening meal at local restaurant

Day 2
  • Colosseum visit
  • Capitoline Museum
  • Evening meal at local restaurant

Day 3
  • St Peter's Basilica
  • Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museum
  • Castel Sant'Angelo
  • Evening meal at local restaurant

Day 4
  • Pantheon
  • Catacombs of St Callixtus
  • Depart Rome
  • Arrive in the UK

Features

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Luciani

Just down the road from Rome’s Termini train station, family-run Hotel Luciani is perfectly positioned for public transport links and a comfortable walk from the main sights of the city, including the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast room
  • TV and lounge area

Concorde

Located in the centre of Rome, Hotel Concorde is just around the corner from Termini train station, where you can easily travel around the city thanks to its metro and bus links.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Terrace
  • Luggage storage
  • Daily continental breakfast

Hotel Dina

Hotel Dina is a family-run hotel set within the heart of Rome, just 100 metres away from the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore and within walking distance to Termini train station.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour reception
  • Luggage storage
  • Daily italian buffet breakfast

Hotel Luciani

Just down the road from Rome’s Termini train station, family-run Hotel Luciani is perfectly positioned for public transport links and a comfortable walk from the main sights of the city, including the Trevi Fountain and Colosseum.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air conditioning
  • Breakfast room
  • TV and lounge area

Concorde

Located in the centre of Rome, Hotel Concorde is just around the corner from Termini train station, where you can easily travel around the city thanks to its metro and bus links.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Terrace
  • Luggage storage
  • Daily continental breakfast

Hotel Dina

Hotel Dina is a family-run hotel set within the heart of Rome, just 100 metres away from the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore and within walking distance to Termini train station.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour reception
  • Luggage storage
  • Daily italian buffet breakfast

Excursions

Spanish Steps

The widest stairway in Europe, Rome’s Spanish Steps are famous worldwide for their unique design, having been immortalised in several films and television shows. The steps were built in the 17th century to link the Spanish square with the Trinità dei Monti church, and today make up one of Rome’s most-visited attractions. Located at the foot of the steps, the 17th-century Baroque Barcaccia Fountain adds to the site’s grandeur.

Trevi Fountain

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Trevi Fountain – a firm favourite among Equity staff. One of the most famous and photographed fountains in the world, the fountain dates back to the 17th century and features incredible Baroque details which will amaze your students. We recommend visiting in the evening to enjoy the view of the fountain lit up. Don’t forget to throw a penny in! Who knows, you may return to Rome…

Colosseum Visit

Explore the role and importance of religion in the 2,000-year-old Colosseum, where gladiators and beasts once battled. A legendary site immortalised in film, the Colosseum is always popular among our student groups. Nearby, you can also tour the adjacent Forum and see the ruins of ancient Rome’s most exclusive neighbourhood, where emperors lived in luxury.

Capitoline Museum

Dating all the way back to 1471, the Capitoline Museum is considered the world’s oldest public museum, its collection of classical sculptures among the finest in Italy. Here, students will learn about the ancient Roman myth of Romulus and Remus through the iconic Lupa Capitolina, and how the brother’s tale led to the founding of the city, alongside a vast collection that includes statues, art, jewels, coins and more.

St Peter's Basilica

One of the world’s holiest Catholic sites and largest churches, this cavernous building features a breathtaking dome with masterpieces by Michelangelo and Bernini. It won’t take much encouragement for your students to study the power of Catholicism and the importance of pilgrimage as they experience this Vatican City highlight – one of our favourite excursions in Rome.

Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museum

Commissioned in 1480, the Sistine Chapel is the site of the papal conclave and is home to Michelangelo’s elaborate ceiling and Last Judgment fresco. This powerful building offers an excellent location to discuss the role and selection of the Pope with your students, as they absorb the building’s significance in Rome and explore its wide selection of religious art.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Embark on a journey through time at the Mausoleum of Hadrian, which holds many ancient tales within its walls. Initially erected for the Roman Emperor Hadrian more than 1,800 years ago, the building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum which walks visitors through its vast, storied history.

Pantheon

For an extraordinary view into the extravagance of ancient Rome, look no further than the Pantheon – one of the best-preserved buildings from the era. Built almost 2,000 years ago, this former Roman temple offers a lasting testimony to the skill and creativity of Roman classical architecture, and is a must-see for students to fully comprehend the culture of this ancient civilisation.

Catacombs of St Callixtus

The largest catacombs in the wider Rome area, the Catacombs of San Callisto are guaranteed to pique the interest of your students. As the official cemetery of the Roman Church during the Roman Empire, archaeologists have uncovered the tombs of 16 Popes, thousands of Christians and dozens of martyrs at the site, spread across over 20 kilometres of tunnels that lay hidden beneath the city.

Vatican

As the seat of the Catholic religion and home of the Pope, there’s nowhere better for your students to explore the history and development of Catholicism than in Vatican City. In the Apostolic Palace, your group can experience the wonder of the remarkable Sistine Chapel, and explore the world’s largest museum complex while appreciating the power of this independent state.

Baths of Caracalla

Wander around the fascinating ancient ruins of these luxurious public baths, which date back to 206 AD. Designed to accommodate around 1,600 bathers, the baths were used for 300-400 years before bathing fell out of fashion in Europe. Today, the archaeological site is used for open-air performances of ballet and opera, and remains one of the best preserved Roman baths in the world.

Borghese Gallery & Museum

A mandatory stop for school groups on an art trip to Rome, the Borghese Gallery and Museum housed what’s often referred to as the ‘queen of all private art collections’, with paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael displayed alongside exquisite sculptures by Bernini. Don’t miss a quick stop in the gallery’s surrounding English-style gardens, which were once part of the estate but are now a separate attraction.

Gladiator Training School

Pay a visit to Rome’s modern Gladiator School, and give your students the unique opportunity to wield wooden swords and shields as they discover the makings of a true gladiator. A fun afternoon activity for your school group, this excursion will teach them about the history of these ancient Roman fighters, offer live demonstrations, and let them put their learnings into practice with a friendly duel.

National Roman Museum

A prerequisite for any history or classics visit to Rome, the National Roman Museum comprises exhibits from the pre- and early history of the city, spread across several sites. At the Palazzo Altemps, students can see a great collection of classical sculpture from the celebrated Ludovisi collection, while the Crypta Balbi contains fascinating archeological remains from the period.

Circus Maximus

Once the largest stadium in ancient Rome, Circus Maximus is now a public park where students can uncover the site’s vast history over a relaxing afternoon. At one point the Circus could seat 250,000 people – a quarter of Rome’s population – who gathered for almost a millennium to see the chariot races that were held here.

Ostia Antica

Just a short trip from central Rome by coach, historical Ostia Antica is a beautifully preserved port city where students can get a feel of what a bustling industrial area would have looked like during the Roman Empire. Here, you will find the remnants of warehouses, docks, baths, houses, apartments and an open air theatre – all excellent sites for captivating your students.

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

One of the city’s most outstanding museums, the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is a treasure trove of classical art that’s a must-see for any school trip to Rome. Students will discover sculptures in bronze and marble dating back as far as the 4th century as they explore the Neo-Renaissance palace, as well as fabulous frescoes depicting the interiors of an ancient Roman villa.

Spanish Steps

The widest stairway in Europe, Rome’s Spanish Steps are famous worldwide for their unique design, having been immortalised in several films and television shows. The steps were built in the 17th century to link the Spanish square with the Trinità dei Monti church, and today make up one of Rome’s most-visited attractions. Located at the foot of the steps, the 17th-century Baroque Barcaccia Fountain adds to the site’s grandeur.

Trevi Fountain

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Trevi Fountain – a firm favourite among Equity staff. One of the most famous and photographed fountains in the world, the fountain dates back to the 17th century and features incredible Baroque details which will amaze your students. We recommend visiting in the evening to enjoy the view of the fountain lit up. Don’t forget to throw a penny in! Who knows, you may return to Rome…

Colosseum Visit

Explore the role and importance of religion in the 2,000-year-old Colosseum, where gladiators and beasts once battled. A legendary site immortalised in film, the Colosseum is always popular among our student groups. Nearby, you can also tour the adjacent Forum and see the ruins of ancient Rome’s most exclusive neighbourhood, where emperors lived in luxury.

Capitoline Museum

Dating all the way back to 1471, the Capitoline Museum is considered the world’s oldest public museum, its collection of classical sculptures among the finest in Italy. Here, students will learn about the ancient Roman myth of Romulus and Remus through the iconic Lupa Capitolina, and how the brother’s tale led to the founding of the city, alongside a vast collection that includes statues, art, jewels, coins and more.

St Peter's Basilica

One of the world’s holiest Catholic sites and largest churches, this cavernous building features a breathtaking dome with masterpieces by Michelangelo and Bernini. It won’t take much encouragement for your students to study the power of Catholicism and the importance of pilgrimage as they experience this Vatican City highlight – one of our favourite excursions in Rome.

Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museum

Commissioned in 1480, the Sistine Chapel is the site of the papal conclave and is home to Michelangelo’s elaborate ceiling and Last Judgment fresco. This powerful building offers an excellent location to discuss the role and selection of the Pope with your students, as they absorb the building’s significance in Rome and explore its wide selection of religious art.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Embark on a journey through time at the Mausoleum of Hadrian, which holds many ancient tales within its walls. Initially erected for the Roman Emperor Hadrian more than 1,800 years ago, the building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum which walks visitors through its vast, storied history.

Pantheon

For an extraordinary view into the extravagance of ancient Rome, look no further than the Pantheon – one of the best-preserved buildings from the era. Built almost 2,000 years ago, this former Roman temple offers a lasting testimony to the skill and creativity of Roman classical architecture, and is a must-see for students to fully comprehend the culture of this ancient civilisation.

Catacombs of St Callixtus

The largest catacombs in the wider Rome area, the Catacombs of San Callisto are guaranteed to pique the interest of your students. As the official cemetery of the Roman Church during the Roman Empire, archaeologists have uncovered the tombs of 16 Popes, thousands of Christians and dozens of martyrs at the site, spread across over 20 kilometres of tunnels that lay hidden beneath the city.

Vatican

As the seat of the Catholic religion and home of the Pope, there’s nowhere better for your students to explore the history and development of Catholicism than in Vatican City. In the Apostolic Palace, your group can experience the wonder of the remarkable Sistine Chapel, and explore the world’s largest museum complex while appreciating the power of this independent state.

Baths of Caracalla

Wander around the fascinating ancient ruins of these luxurious public baths, which date back to 206 AD. Designed to accommodate around 1,600 bathers, the baths were used for 300-400 years before bathing fell out of fashion in Europe. Today, the archaeological site is used for open-air performances of ballet and opera, and remains one of the best preserved Roman baths in the world.

Borghese Gallery & Museum

A mandatory stop for school groups on an art trip to Rome, the Borghese Gallery and Museum housed what’s often referred to as the ‘queen of all private art collections’, with paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael displayed alongside exquisite sculptures by Bernini. Don’t miss a quick stop in the gallery’s surrounding English-style gardens, which were once part of the estate but are now a separate attraction.

Gladiator Training School

Pay a visit to Rome’s modern Gladiator School, and give your students the unique opportunity to wield wooden swords and shields as they discover the makings of a true gladiator. A fun afternoon activity for your school group, this excursion will teach them about the history of these ancient Roman fighters, offer live demonstrations, and let them put their learnings into practice with a friendly duel.

National Roman Museum

A prerequisite for any history or classics visit to Rome, the National Roman Museum comprises exhibits from the pre- and early history of the city, spread across several sites. At the Palazzo Altemps, students can see a great collection of classical sculpture from the celebrated Ludovisi collection, while the Crypta Balbi contains fascinating archeological remains from the period.

Circus Maximus

Once the largest stadium in ancient Rome, Circus Maximus is now a public park where students can uncover the site’s vast history over a relaxing afternoon. At one point the Circus could seat 250,000 people – a quarter of Rome’s population – who gathered for almost a millennium to see the chariot races that were held here.

Ostia Antica

Just a short trip from central Rome by coach, historical Ostia Antica is a beautifully preserved port city where students can get a feel of what a bustling industrial area would have looked like during the Roman Empire. Here, you will find the remnants of warehouses, docks, baths, houses, apartments and an open air theatre – all excellent sites for captivating your students.

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

One of the city’s most outstanding museums, the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is a treasure trove of classical art that’s a must-see for any school trip to Rome. Students will discover sculptures in bronze and marble dating back as far as the 4th century as they explore the Neo-Renaissance palace, as well as fabulous frescoes depicting the interiors of an ancient Roman villa.

Trip details

All Equity packages are tailor-made to suit the needs of our groups. Here are our standard package inclusions:

  • Return travel by air or coach (air packages include overseas airport transfer. Coach to UK airport from school is available as an optional extra)
  • All security charges, airport and local taxes
  • 1 free staff place for every 10 full paying passengers by air OR 1 free staff place for every 8 full paying passengers by coach
  • Full-board accommodation
  • Excursions
  • Full use of your coach in resort (this applies to coach groups only and is subject to EU drivers hours regulations)
  • 24-hour emergency service support
  • All travel documentation, luggage labels and resort information
  • Meals en-route. While travelling to and from your destination you need to consider meals. These are not included in the package prices.
  • Air passenger duty. Any paying passengers over the age of 16 at time of travel will be charged a small tax fee.

Prices are subject to change based on intended dates of travel and final numbers, the Equity team are here to offer you advice and guidance from start to finish, ensuring your school trip runs smoothly and is a great success.

Travel by: Air

Nearest airport: Rome-Fiumicino International (Leonardo da Vinci) / Ciampino International (G. B. Pastine) (CIA)

Transfer time from airport: 1hr

Best times to travel: April, May, October

Suggested tour length: 4 days, 3 nights / 3 days, 2 nights