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Hotel
DAY 1: Check-in at Hotel Hassler Roma & Welcome Dinner
DAY 2: Necropolis below Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Basilica of St. Clement and Michelangelo’s “Moses” and evening Exclusive After-Hours Visit to the Borghese Gallery
DAY 3: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon
DAY 4: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and Exclusive After-Hours Visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
DAY 5: Villa Farnesina and Thanksgiving Dinner at Hotel Hassler Roma
DAY 6: Caravaggio Itinerary – Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Church of Sant’Agostino, Palazzo Doria-Pamphili, Palazzo Barberini, Santa Maria del Popolo
DAY 7: Check-out of Hotel Hassler Roma
“A fool is one who admires other cities without visiting Rome”
Francesco Petrarca
Of all the cities in Italy, Rome is my favorite. No other city in the world can compete with its 3,000 years of history and mix of ancient, medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Modern art and architecture. Rome is also the starting point of the South of Italy, with its own particular dialect, temperate climate and animated demeanor. And then there is the food… MAMMA MIA! Carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, abbacchio (which is what the Romans call lamb), and Roman and Jewish style artichokes are but a few specialties of Roman cuisine.
You don’t visit Rome. You fall under its spell.
Why Visit Rome over Thanksgiving…
Join us for an authentic insider experience of Rome where participants will come up close and personal to some of the world’s most famous and iconic monuments and stand in the shadow of one of the most extraordinary ensembles of monumental architecture in history:
Walking tours may entail uneven terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, the absence of elevators); archaeological sites; and some longer walks to get to city centers where coaches are prohibited.
A Unique and Exclusive Program…
DAY 1: SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22, 2026 – ARRIVAL IN ROME
Arrival in Rome and check-in at Hotel Hassler Roma.
7:00pm – Welcome Dinner
DAY 2: MONDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2026 – SEARCHING FOR ST. PETER, MICHELANGELO AND EXCLUSIVE AFTER-HOURS VISIT TO THE BORGHESE GALLERY
9:00am-12:00pm – Visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica and Necropolis below Saint Peter’s Basilica
Few people realize that all of the grandeur of the Vatican – St. Peter’s Basilica (the world’s largest Christian church), the circa 10,000 rooms within the walls of the city, the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael rooms, the world’s greatest collection of Roman antiquity – is the result of the simple belief that the remains of St. Peter rest below his homonymous basilica.
This lecture will give us extraordinary access to the ancient Roman necropolis below St. Peter’s where we shall learn about the mysterious and dramatic rediscovery of the saint’s tomb during World War II.
We will then continue on to discuss the architecture and construction history of the most important church in the Catholic world – Saint Peter’s Basilica.
12:00pm-2:30pm– Group Lunch
2:30pm-4:00pm– Visit to Basilica of St. Clement and Michelangelo’s “Moses”
No complex in Rome better expresses the historical complexity of the city than San Clemente. The present Medieval church stands above an Early Christian one, which in turn was built atop of an ancient Roman palace and apartment building. But the most exceptional and mysterious part of the structure is the perfectly preserved Mithraic temple complex housed within. We shall peel back the strata of Rome, descending through millennia to the period when all Roman cults, including one called “Christianity” cohabited peacefully.
Afterwards, we will continue on to the church of St. Peter in Chains to view one of Michelangelo’s most extraordinary sculptures- the Moses. The sculpture now sits as the central piece of the compromised tomb of Pope Julius II. What could have been the greatest tomb of all time, was, instead, Michelangelo’s greatest unfulfilled commission.
7:00pm – EXCLUSIVE AFTER-HOURS VISIT TO THE BORGHESE GALLERY
DAY 3: TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2026 – THE GREATNESS OF ANCIENT ROME
This lecture will explore the history and greatness of the civilization that was Rome. From its monarchical foundations in the 8th century BC, to the collapse of the Empire in the 5th century AD, Rome was the city and civilization that dominated the ancient world. Rome’s territorial expansion would encompass nearly half of the known world, and Greco-Roman culture would be exported to the far corners of the Empire. The epicenter of the Empire was Rome itself, where Roman ingenuity and aspiration would produce some of the most celebrated monuments of all time.
10:00am-12:30pm – Visit to Colosseum and Roman Forum
We will begin at the Coliseum, where we will examine the largest amphitheatre of the ancient world and discuss the most popular of Roman social activities – gladiatorial games.
We shall then continue through the Roman Forum, stepping back in time to the days of Romulus, Julius Caesar, Titus and Constantine, weaving our way past the ruins of their great culture and through the tales, legends and events of their great history. We will climb up to the Capitoline Hill, connecting the ancient emperors to the Renaissance popes.
12:30pm-2:00pm – Group Lunch
2:00pm-4:00pm –Visit to Pantheon
The Greatness of Ancient Rome lecture will conclude in awe-inspiring fashion at the Pantheon, which is arguably the most perfect architectural monument of all time.
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2026 – BAROQUE ROME
& EXCLUSIVE AFTER HOURS VISIT OF THE SISTINE CHAPEL AND VATICAN MUSEUMS
10:00am-1:00pm – Visit to Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona
From the majestic Spanish steps to the romantic and theatrical Trevi Fountain and concluding at the historic Piazza Navona with Bernini’s dramatic Four Rivers Fountain and Borromini’s revolutionary church of Sant’Agnese, we shall walk through the Baroque heart of Rome visiting some of the city’s most iconic and famous squares and works of art.
1:00pm-6:00pm – Lunch on your own and Free Time
6:15pm-9:15pm – EXCLUSIVE AFTER-HOURS VISIT TO THE SISTINE CHAPEL AND VATICAN MUSEUMS
With the return of the Papacy to Rome in the late 14th century, the city began a long process of recovery from the collapse of the Roman Empire, which occurred a millennium earlier. The Pope would assert his role not only as the spiritual, but also as the earthly leader of the Latin Christian world. During the Renaissance, Popes would begin to emulate the Emperors of Antiquity and begin to appropriate much of their artistic language. With the reconstruction of St. Peter’s and the Vatican Palace, the Pope now also had an appropriate seat from which to rule as the “Father of Kings”.
This lecture will be held in the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s Basilica. We will view the major works of the Vatican collection including the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Stanze, the Roman Antiquities and the Hall of Maps.
DAY 5: THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2026 – RENAISSANCE PLEASURE PALACES
One aspect of Classical Antiquity revived by the Renaissance was the tradition of suburban villas. Used by the Romans as a means to escape the stresses of urban life, during the Renaissance, these structures became a means to express wealth and power. The two quintessential Renaissance villas were built by the Chigi (later owners named Farnese) and the Borghese family in the 16th and 17th centuries respectively. Often used for debaucherous and hedonistic banquets, these structures also house some of the greatest masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque Rome, created by such masters as Raphael, Caravaggio and Bernini. The extraordinary art which has adorned these structures for the past five centuries serves as testimony to the often-lascivious revelry that ensued within them. From Raphael’s celebrated fresco of Galatea, to Giulio Romano’s erotic Loggia of Psyche in the Farnesina; to Bernini’s breathtaking mythological statues of Apollo and Daphne and Pluto and Persephone in the Borghese, the nature of the art clearly reflects the intentions of its patrons.
This lecture will explore the history, practices, traditions, and art of perhaps the most beautiful and well-preserved of Renaissance villas – the Villa Farnesina – and how they reflected their society and times.
10:30am-12:30pm – Visit to Villa Farnesina
12:30pm-2:30pm – Free afternoon
6:00pm – Thanksgiving Dinner at Hotel Hassler Roma
Exclusive Private Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings at the Hotel Hassler Roma!
DAY 6: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2026 – THE CURSE OF CARAVAGGIO
Known as the pittore maledetto- the “cursed painter”, Caravaggio not only revolutionized painting at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries with his “hyper- realistic” style, he literally turned Rome on its head with his often-criminal behavior. Spending most of his time between brothels and taverns, Caravaggio’s love of the vulgar and violence became his primary artistic inspiration. His paintings would reflect his lifestyle, often depicting Christian subjects in completely inappropriate ways. We shall follow the footsteps of the artist in the very neighborhood where he lived and view his paintings in the very churches where they first created controversy
10:30am-12:30pm – Visit to Church of San Luigi dei Francesi (Contarelli Chapel by Caravaggio), Church of Sant’Agostino (Cavalletti Chapel by Caravaggio) and Palazzo Doria-Pamphili (“Penitent Magdalene”)
12:30pm-2:30pm – Group Lunch
2:30pm-4:30pm – Visit to Palazzo Barberini (“Judith and Holofernes” and “Narcissus”) and Santa Maria del Popolo (Cerasi Chapel by Caravaggio and Caracci)
DAY 7: SATURDAY NOVEMBR 28, 2026 – CHECK-OUT OF HOTEL HASSLER ROMA
* Itinerary subject to minor changes
All participants will be staying at the Hotel Hassler Roma Roma. A 5-Star luxurious and iconic hotel by the Spanish Steps.
HOTEL:
At the top of the legendary Spanish Steps and a stone’s throw from the ever-vibrant thoroughfares of Via Condotti, Via Borgognona and Via Frattina, you will find this luxury boutique hotel Hotel Hassler Roma, gracefully situated in the heart of the historical centre of Rome. The magic of traditional Italian hospitality is here combined with the elegance of modern detailing, giving rise to the particular identity of our hotel, which is renowned for having been a favoured haunt of glamorous members of the international aristocracy and the jet-set.
LOCATION:
Hotel Hassler Roma benefits from an enviable location in the historical centre of Rome. It is situated at the top of the legendary Spanish Steps in Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, and within the fashion quarter. The Colosseum, the Pantheon and the mesmerising Roman Forum are all within easy striking distance on foot, whereas a short, enjoyable walk will take you to the lush, enchanting environs of Villa Borghese. In short, the luxury location of our boutique hotel makes it the perfect base from which to explore the numerous attractions that Rome has to offer, from its monuments to its prestigious temples of fashion, to say nothing of the stylish bars, cafés and restaurants of the city centre.
https://www.hotelhasslerroma.com
ACCOMODATIONS:
*For hotel stay extensions, room upgrades, and other lodging requests, please contact us directly at info@rockyruggiero.com with details.
NOVEMBER 22 – NOVEMBER 28, 2026
Double Occupancy – $10,990.00/person
Single Occupancy – $13,590.00/person
Includes:
– 6-night accommodations in Deluxe rooms at the historic and luxurious 5-star Hotel Hassler Roma (breakfast included)
– All lectures with Rocky
– All admissions
– All group lunches
– All ground transportation between Nov 22 – Nov 28, 2026
– Welcome dinner
– Thanksgiving dinner
Not included:
Airfare to Italy and transportation to Rome (Our Concierge Services will be happy to help you with this.)
Payment:
A deposit of 30% of the course fee is required to reserve a space on a program. All payments may be made by credit card or check. Deposits are applied to final payment of the program price.
The balance is due 60 days prior to departure, unless otherwise noted. If full payment is not received by the final payment due date, your place cannot be guaranteed on the program.
Wait List:
If the program of your choice is fully subscribed, you may choose to be placed on a waitlist by contacting us at info@rockyruggiero.com or by phone. Individuals on the wait list will be contacted if space becomes available and can inquire about program status by contacting us. If you choose to withdraw from a wait list, please notify us.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Following enrollment, a participant’s withdrawal from the program for any reason, including, but not limited to, illness, injury, family engagements, work-related issues, geopolitical concerns, or airline delays and/or cancellations, etc., will be deemed a cancellation. Please understand that there will be no exceptions to our cancellation policy.
Per person cancellation fees are based on date of written notice to Rocky Ruggiero. We will refund on the following basis:
– Cancellations within 10 days of booking: Full Refund
– Cancellations after 10 days of booking: Full Deposit Retained
– Cancellations made within final payment date, 60 days before departure: No Refund
– Cancellation by Rocky Ruggiero: Full Refund or Credit
– Non transferable to other travel programs, tours and online and in-person events.
Travel Protection Plan:
Purchase Travel Insurance to Protect your Vacation
Special Travel Arrangements:
Participants may wish to extend their stay in the group hotel either before or after the tour. We will work with you on these arrangements, dependent upon space availability.
Should you decide not to participate in certain parts of the program, no refunds will be made for those unused parts of the program.
READ CAREFULLY: RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
Neither Rocky Ruggiero nor faculty shall be held liable for personal injury, death, property damage or accident, delay or irregularity arising out of any act or omission of these suppliers. Rocky Ruggiero and other faculty reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of tour participants.
Rocky Ruggiero and designated faculty also reserve the right, without penalty, to withdraw the program announced, to decline to accept any person as a participant in a program, or to require any participant to withdraw from the program at any time (including, but not limited for inappropriate, or offensive behavior) when such action is determined by program staff to be in the best interests of the health, safety or general welfare of the program group or the individual participant.
Dates, schedules, tour details, and costs, although provided in good faith based on information available at the time of publication on the website, are subject to change and revision.
AS A CONDITION OF ACCEPTANCE OF ANY APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT MUST AGREE TO THE STATEMENT SET FORTH BELOW:
The undersigned has read carefully the Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer set forth above, the schedule of activities for this program, as well as the terms and conditions of application and participation as set forth in the program materials and recognizes and accepts any risk associated with the program and the conditions, including the refund policy, set forth in the program materials. The undersigned further acknowledges that there are many risks and uncertainties inherent in any travel program, including but not limited to the hazards of various modes of transportation, forces of nature, acts or omissions of foreign governments, terrorism, war or insurrection, theft, illness, and damage to person or property due to the negligent acts or omissions of program staff or others. In consideration of, and as part payment for, the right to participate in the program, the undersigned, on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, agrees to release Rocky Ruggiero, its Regents, officers, employees, representatives or agents, the United States, from liability for personal injury, death, property damage or loss suffered by any person in connection with this tour, even if caused by the negligence (but not the reckless, willful, or fraudulent conduct) of program staff or other related persons or entities. In addition, by registering for this program, the applicant certifies that he or she is mentally and physically capable of full participation in this tour. By registering for a “Rocky Ruggiero Program in Italy”, the participant agrees to the Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer and the Terms and Conditions herein.
