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Rome Classics & Ancient History School Trips & Tours

Only by visiting Rome can you really understand both the splendour and decadence of the city in Roman times. Our single-centre Rome itineraries are tailor-made and will evoke images of spectacular triumphs, gladiatorial combat and passionate senatorial debate.

Prices start from £699pp

NST City Rep

NST City Rep

Assistance on-hand whilst you’re away
Specialist Escort

Specialist Escort

Specialist advice & local knowledge at key sites
Local Guide

Local Guide

For local knowledge at key sites
Visits Included

Visits Included

Price includes a selection of visits

Price includes

  • 3 nights’ half board accommodation
  • Return flights & overseas airport transfers
  • Services of NST City Representative to assist with check-in & provide 24hr assistance
  • Visits to Roman Forum, Colosseum, church of Santa Maria de Popolo, the Via del Corso, Piazza di Spagna, Keats-Shelley Memorial House, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Barberini & the Trevi Fountain, Guided visit to the Vatican City on foot.
  • Extensive group travel insurance
  • Generous free place ratio of 1 in 10

Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers departing from a London airport and is subject to availability.

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Top visits

Colosseum

Amaze students with the monumental size and grandeur of the world’s largest surviving structure of Roman antiquity, the scene of the legendary and savage gladiatorial games. 

This, the largest monument of Ancient Rome, seated more than 50,000 spectators in its day. Your students will see the location where fights between men and beasts, gladiatorial contests, races and simulated naval battles took place.

Pantheon

Built as a temple to all the gods and rebuilt circa 126AD during Hadrian’s reign, it’s still in use today. A marvel of Roman engineering and, until the middle of the 20th century, the largest masonry dome built.

Santa Maria del Popolo

The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is an Augustinian church in Rome, Italy. It stands on the north side of Piazza del Popolo, one of the most famous squares in the city, in between Porta del Popolo (the ancient Porta Flaminia) and the Pincio hill. The church contains works by several famous artists.

Guided Walking Tour

Guided walks can be tailored to your requirements. Here's a suggested three hour walk which includes the best of the baths, temples and theatres of Ancient Rome. Visit the Baths of Caracalla and then on to Circus Maximus to see this ancient Roman chariot racing stadium. At the Forum Boarium, site of ancient Rome's meat market, your students will be able to view two small temples, the Temple of Hercules Victor and the Temple of Portunus, which are among the best preserved religious structures from Rome's republican era.

Make sure you tell the truth at the Bocca della Verita - the Mouth of Truth! This carved image of a man-like face, located in the portico of the church of Santa Maria, is famous for its role as a lie detector and, it was believed that if you told a lie when your hand was in the mouth of the sculpture then your hand would be bitten off! Walk up to the ancient, open-air Theatre of Marcellus where you will also find the Portico d'Ottavia and finish your tour with a visit to Isola Tiberina where you will see the Ponte Fabricio, a 1st century BC Roman Bridge.

Via del Corso

The Via del Corso is a main street in the historical centre of Rome. It is remarkable for being absolutely straight in an area characterised by narrow meandering alleys and small piazzas. Considered a wide street in ancient times, today the Corso is approximately 10 metres wide, and it only has room for two lanes of traffic and two narrow sidewalks. 

Keats-Shelley Memorial House

This  museum houses one of the world's most extensive collections of memorabilia, letters, manuscripts, and paintings relating to Keats and Shelley, as well as Byron, Wordsworth, Robert Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Oscar Wilde, and others. It is located on the second floor of the building situated just to the south of the base of the Spanish Steps and east of the Piazza di Spagna.

Piazza Barberini

Piazza Barberini is a large piazza in the centro storico or city centre of Rome and situated on the Quirinal Hill created in the 16th century.

Tivoli

Visit the fountains of the Villa d’Este gardens, but more importantly the Emperor Hadrian’s villa, whose expansive ruins are full of interest.

Rome by Night

Take a guided tour by coach or a guided walk with our head guide, Richard, to see the sights of Rome by night.

Parco Leonardo Shopping Mall

Shop, go bowling, play on arcade machines and enjoy a meal.

Ostia Antica

The harbour city of ancient Rome is 20 miles out of the city but is a fascinating visit. Students will enjoy exploring the extensive remains of the Roman town and often prefer it to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Palatine Hill

The most central of the Seven Hills of Rome is one of the most ancient parts of the city. See the ruins of the Imperial Palaces and the Hut of Romulus, as well as a great view of the Circus Maximus. Explore the pleasant gardens or see vibrant frescos in the house of Augustus.

Spanish Steps

Situated in Piazza di Spagna, these 18th century, majestic steps built in Baroque style are today a regular meeting place for Italians.

St Peter’s Basilica

In Catholic tradition, this is the burial site of its namesake. Famous as a place of pilgrimage and for its historical associations. Like all the earliest churches in Rome, St Peter’s has its entrance to the east and the apse at the west of the building.

Ancient tradition suggests that St Peter’s Basilica was built where Peter, the apostle who is considered the first Pope, was crucified and buried in AD64. Today, the chapel houses many masterpieces.

This is the most prominent building inside the Vatican City, its dome being a dominant feature of the Roman skyline. Papal ceremonies take place here due to its size, proximity to the Papal residence, and location within the Vatican City walls.

Trevi Fountain

Rome’s famous Baroque fountain is the largest in the city and the most beautiful in the world. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. The fountain is worldwide famous but many people do not know the history and the secrets hidden behind its construction.

 

Vatican Museums (including the Sistine Chapel)

The most famous chapel in the world, decorated by the greatest artists of the Renaissance. The Sistine Chapel and the Stanze della Segnatura, decorated by Raphael, are on the visitor route through the Vatican Museums. This chapel represents a collection quite unique in the history of painting.

 

Need something bespoke?

Our dedicated team are on hand and ready to plan your tailor-made tour.

 

Try our itinerary planning tool

Whether you already know what you’re looking for or need a spark of inspiration, our smart itinerary planning tool makes planning a school trip effortless. Just share your details, choose the visits that matter most, and our experts will shape the perfect trip for you.

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On-tour support

On-tour support includes...

Additional on-tour support available...

 

Accommodation

Popular options in Rome

This is only a sample of our entire range, so for expert advice on accommodation to suit your group’s specific needs, speak to one of our Educational Travel Advisors.

Hotel Archimede

The Hotel Archimede offers good quality accommodation within easy reach of the main tourist areas of Rome. 

 

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Hotel Floridia

The Hotel Floridia is situated in a good, central location, close to the Termini Station and within easy reach of the main sights of Rome.

 

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Hotel Noto

The Hotel Noto offers a good standard of accommodation in a central location. 

 

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Hotel Archimede

The Hotel Archimede offers good quality accommodation within easy reach of the main tourist areas of Rome. 

 

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Hotel Floridia

The Hotel Floridia is situated in a good, central location, close to the Termini Station and within easy reach of the main sights of Rome.

 

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Hotel Noto

The Hotel Noto offers a good standard of accommodation in a central location. 

 

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Expert's comment

Whether you’re reading a speech of Cicero or studying the building programme of Augustus for A-level, or life in the city for GCSE, a visit to Rome will bring it all to life.
Gill Greef, Classics Advisor

FAQs

Why is Rome such an essential destination for Classics and Ancient History students?

Rome offers an unrivalled window into the splendour and complexity of ancient civilisation, from imperial triumphs to everyday urban life. Visiting the city allows students to engage directly with iconic sites and understand both the grandeur and decadence of Rome in its prime.

How does NST tailor Rome itineraries to support classical learning?

NST builds itineraries that bring core classical themes to life through structured visits to major ancient sites and key civic spaces. These programmes are designed to enrich understanding of Roman politics, religion, architecture and social order. 

Which classical landmarks do students typically explore in Rome?

Groups can visit the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Santa Maria del Popolo, alongside walking routes through Via del Corso and Piazza di Spagna. These sites offer powerful insight into public life, ritual, art and governance in the ancient world. 

How does NST support teachers and students during the trip?

NST provides on-hand assistance from a dedicated City Representative, plus access to specialist escorts and local guides at key locations. This expert support helps teachers deliver high-quality learning experiences with reassurance at every stage. 

What broader cultural learning experiences does Rome offer?

Rome’s blend of ancient heritage and vibrant modern life helps students appreciate continuity and change across millennia. Visits to places such as the Vatican City reveal layers of religious, political and artistic influence that shaped both Rome and later European culture. 

What’s included in a typical NST Rome Classics package?

Packages usually include three nights’ half board accommodation, return flights and transfers, a selection of classical site visits and comprehensive group travel insurance. Teachers also benefit from generous free place ratios and full destination support. 

Giving you full support throughout

Before your tour

  • Dedicated NST expert from day one
  • Responsive, flexible communication - Teams, phone, or email
  • Same-day quotes
  • Trips tailored to your budget, with transparent pricing
  • Straightforward planning - we handle the details
  • Step-by-step risk assessment guidance
  • Free accommodation for group leader preview visits
  • Curriculum-driven, enriching experiences across 100s of locations
  • Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise

Whilst you're away

  • Our travel app keeps all your info in one place
  • On-tour support from our reps on the ground
  • Support & assistance from our specialists
  • 24/7 helpline and support
  • Extensive group travel insurance
  • Group-friendly accommodation
  • Free educational resources

On your return

  • Priority rebooking services
  • Loyalty reward scheme for valued customers
  • You say, we act - we're committed to continuously improving our tours

 

Speak to one of our school travel experts

Our team of school travel experts have unrivalled destination knowledge and experience so they can help to bring your tour ideas to life and might even suggest options you hadn’t already thought of too!

So get in touch today and we'll help to create a bespoke, budget-friendly tour itinerary to meet your specific learning requirements.

 

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