Experience the timeless Raphael frescoes at Villa Farnesina. The banker Agostino Chigi wanted the artist of the pope and many others to turn his weekend mansion into a gem. Horoscope, Zodiac symbols, and Pagan gods. You will not believe this was the villa of one of the most important men in the history of the church. As it is on the same side of the Vatican, Trastevere became the favorite place to build summer villas for the noble families in Rome. After your visit to Villa Farnesina, take a short walk in Trastevere. Follow your guide as they provide insight about one of the most charming and ancient districts of the eternal city. Lose yourself in the winding alleys and escape the crowds of the city Meet real Romans, enjoy the area's traditional cuisine, wander through winding lanes and experience real Rome.

Join us on one of our most fascinating private Rome tours, in a beautiful villa where you can almost breathe the air of the Renaissance. Villa Farnesina, with its richly decorated rooms and spacious garden, evokes the climate of enthusiasm and freedom of the time period. On your exclusive Villa Farnesina Tour you will explore an elegant Renaissance home with a knowledgeable private guide. Despite its central location in the middle of Trastevere, just a short walk from the Vatican, the Villa Farnesina is overlooked by most visitors to Rome. It remains one of the Eternal City’s hidden gems, a tranquil private home that attracts discerning art lovers, and those looking for a unique private tour of Rome. Our private Rome tour covers the various halls of the Villa Farnesina, such as the Loggia di Galatea, the Loggia of Cupid and Psyche, the Hall of the Perspectives and the Wedding Hall, which open a window onto the intimate life of the rich and powerful of the time. The Loggia of Galatea, besides having a cycle of frescoes on the vaulting linked to the horoscope of Agostino Chigi, preserves the splendid Galatea of Raphael, a triumph of the beauty of the nymph Galatea, shown supported by a shell floating on the water in a festive procession of mythical figures that Raphael depicts with lightness and refined sensuality. The Hall of the Perspectives, frescoed with rural and urban landscapes that create the illusion of an immense portico, was the place where Agostino Chigi held his never-ending, extravagant wedding banquet in 1519. In addition to the sixteenth century panelled ceiling, the Wedding Hall also has outstanding frescoes of the wedding of Alexander the Great and the beautiful Roxana, drawing a clear parallel with the wedding of the banker and his bride. The Hall of Cupid and Psyche transports the visitor to a mythical world of exuberant beauty and festivity. The innumerable vicissitudes of the beautiful Psyche and her tormented affair with the no-less-beautiful and divine Cupid are suspended on the immense ceiling among gigantic depictions of garlands of flowers and fruits; the effect is truly spellbinding. The narration culminates in the central scene of the wedding banquet celebrated by Cupid and Psyche, in the presence of all the gods of Olympus, under a shower of flowers and perfume. Divine celebration for the greatest love story of all time... Join us on this luxury Rome tour to discover the myriad splendors of the Renaissance!

Wander through the picturesque cobblestone streets of Rome's Trastevere neighborhood and admire the centuries-old gold mosaics in the Basilica of Santa Maria on this 3.5-hour private walking tour.  Meet your local guide outside the Villa Farnesina and admire the extensive fresco decorations by artists such as Raphael, whose lover was said to have lived in this district. Continue on to the Basilica of Santa Maria, one of the oldest churches in Rome, and the nearby Church of Santa Cecilia, known for its elaborate crypt and a magnificent Baroque-era sculpture of the saint. Walk past the pizzerias and lively restaurants that have made this neighborhood so famous and learn about this area's role in the city's history.

Begin your Hidden Trastevere tour at the Papal Pharmacy After arriving in Trastevere, we’ll make our way to the the medieval pharmacy of Santa Maria della Scala. This pharmacy started producing medicine for the papal court in the 16th century; the friars who lived adjacent cultivating and blending plants and spices to create remedies. Today, Santa Maria della Scala is seldom visited except by those local to the area, making it one of Trastevere’s last truly hidden gems. Visit the beautiful church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere The Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere houses some of the most beautiful Baroque sculptures anywhere in Rome. Its most famous example is Stefano Maderno’s Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia. But there is a wealth of other Renaissance and Baroque art to discover, which your professional guide will walk you through. Discover the Raphael Frescoes at Villa Farnesina Many people have heard of Trastevere, but few have heard of its most prized treasure: Villa Farnesina. This sixteenth century palace is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Among its collection are frescoes by Raphael, which rival his artworks in the Vatican’s Raphael Rooms, and scenes of the life and times of Alexander the Great painted by Il Sodoma. Villa Farnesina was once a private home. Fortunately, its doors are now open for you to come and explore. Your guide can recommend an authentic wine bar or restaurant Trastevere is home to some of Rome’s finest food. We seek out the best of it on our Trastevere food tour. But after a day indulging on Renaissance art, you might not have the energy to explore Trastevere’s culinary hideouts. That’s why our expert local guide will be more than happy to recommend you a restaurant or trattoria where you can relax and wind down after a day of sightseeing.

- Start at the Villa Farnesina, which takes you back to 600 years ago. Originally built by a banker, this impressive villa with gorgeous garden tells many stories about what it was like to live in Rome back then, how the well-connected family lived and where else in Rome their influence can be seen. The true highlights are the wall- and ceilings paintings by famous artists such as Raffael. - A short walk brings us to one of the biggest botanical gardens in Italy. The "Orto botanico" of Rome not only spans over 12 hectare but has more than 3000 plant species and an interesting history to offer. - Lastly, you will dive right into the heart of the buzzing neighborhood Trastevere, which is a must visit for anyone wanting to become acquainted with the rich history and culture of Rome. Make your way past stunning architecture, traditional bars and restaurants, idyllic piazzas and through the lesser known little streets. Here, you will be left to explore on your own after the tour.