Culture and sport in Rome: Activities to combine with the 6 Nations

If you’re travelling to Rome for the Italy v England or Italy v Scotland 6 Nations rugby matches then you may be thinking of other activities that you can enjoy on your match-free days in the city. If you’ve never been to Rome then, believe us, there is no shortage of wonderful things to see and do! Here are a few activities that we recommend in addition to seeing the famous city sights.

For the active…
Rome has so many attractions that trying to see them all on a walking tour in a limited amount of time can be difficult. So why not hire Segways and zip through the city streets taking in as many of the sights as possible! You can even enjoy a guided Segway tour, with an English-speaking tour guide that will guide you around the side streets and alleyways, showing you the top attractions.

For families…
If you’re visiting Rome for the 6 Nations Italy v England rugby match with your children, then stop by Rome’s zoological garden, known as Bioparco SpA. It is home to thousands and animals and hundreds of different species and spans 42 acres. It can be found close to Villa Borghese and is dedicated to furthering education about animals and their conservation. If you would like to book tickets as part of your package, please visit our sister company’s website.

If you’re visiting Rome with older children or teenagers, you may enjoy a ghost tour, which takes you to Rome’s most haunted places, including St Peter’s Basilica, which is thought to be haunted by the ghost of Julius Caeser, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Pantheon.

For the culture-seekers…
The city of Rome is positively dripping in history and ancient architecture and the cityscape will delight those looking for a bit of culture with their 6 Nations rugby package. There are plenty of tours that can be prearranged, which focus on the history of this ancient city. However, if you want to make your own way round the sights, as well as the common attractions, such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum and St Peter’s Basilica, we recommend seeing the Diocletian Thermal Baths, Piazza della Repubblica, the churches around the Palatine Hill, the Roma Ghetto, the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius, the Aurelian Walls, the Castrensian Amphitheatre and the underground world beneath San Crisogono. If you are particularly interested in the ancient architecture of religious buildings, then you may enjoy a tour of Rome’s catacombs and crypts, including the Capuchin Crypt.

For the art-lovers…
While Florence is well known as the art capital of Italy, Rome also has a selection of important art pieces that will be of interest to those interested in Italian art. In particular, the Borghese Gallery is home to a vast and diverse collection of sculptures and paintings produced by masters, such as Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio and Titian. The gallery sits in a magical setting, with fountains and monuments dotted around the vast surrounding park.

For the foodies…
If you love Italian food then why not learn the secrets of Italian cooking with a cooking class. Classes are available in the city centre and also in the Roman countryside, where you can also enjoy wine tasting. If you’re interested in finding out more, visit our sister company’s website.

For the spiritual…
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina’s body will be resting in St Peter’s Basilica from 8^th to 14^th February 2016 as part of the Jubilee of Mercy celebrations. Saint Pio, also known as Padre Pio, who died in 1968, was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002 after spending much of his life bearing the stigmata. After World War I, he was seen as many as a symbol of hope and it is anticipated that his presence at St Peter’s Basilica will inspire others to share in his attitude of patience and mercy for others.

Still not booked your 6 Nations rugby package to see your team play Italy in Rome? We still have packages available, with flights from a range of airports. Contact us for more information or call 01223 637331.