Captivated by the city's rich history and architectural splendor, international tourists and Italians alike have flocked to Rome for centuries. This year is a wonderful time to visit the city, which underwent extensive cleaning and restoration in preparation for the year 2000. The beauty of the historical center is enhanced by the unique experience of touring its well-lit piazzas and fountains by night. Hearing the stories behind the sites will make history come alive! We invite you to join us on a twilight tour of the city of Rome...

The tour begins on Piazza di Spagna, home of the world famous Spanish steps. The piazza is unique in form, and elegant in atmosphere. As you join the native crowed strolling in the neighborhood or relaxing on the steps, you will understand why this area was so passionately sought after by three countries! Despite its name, the majestic stairway was actually commissioned by the French government during the 18th century, when the church atop the steps was built on French property. The piazza, derives its name from the first permanent embassy in Rome - the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, still found on the southern end of the piazza.

Moving towards the south, the next major site on our itinerary is the Trevi Fountain, probably the worlds most famous fountain, and an example of the continuum of Roman history, form the first aqueduct built on the spot in the 1st century BC, to the Baroque monument currently on the site. The water you see rushing through Nicola Salvi's sculptural masterpiece composes the Acqua Vergine, which is carried from the ancient water source 20 kilometers to the East, through an aqueduct built over two thousand years ago. At sites like this, it becomes apparent how Rome truly lives up to its name, the "Eternal City"! One of the most magical aspects of Rome today is this trend - how Antiquity is so well-integrated within the modern city.

The Temple of Hadrian and later the magnificent Pantheon, 2nd century AD constructions that once and still do comprise the heart of the Roman city center, are where we stop next. The Pantheon, a temple once dedicated to the worship of all Rome gods, and today a Catholic church, is considered the best preserved of all ancient monuments in Rome ,and is almost immaculate in condition. One of the most amazing facts about this structure is that it is unreproducible today - modern architects and engineers simply do not have the scientific knowledge that Romans had in 125 AD to build such a massive domed structure. The Pantheon's dome was the largest in the world, until the 20th century, and remarkably was built in under a decade.

Piazza Navona, with its beautiful Baroque architecture and 17th century fountains, is one of Rome's liveliest piazzas. Just to the west of the Pantheon, Piazza Navona is today where street performers and artists gather to entertain the crowds in a tradition that dates to the 1st century AD, during the reign of the Emperor Domitian, when a stadium holding 30,000 spectators existed on the site. The piazza is more recently famous however, for the 17th century work of artist Gianlorenzo Bernini, who sculpted the central fountain, and his arch-rival, architect Francesco Borromini, who designed the splendid St. Agnes in Agony, the church on the western side of the piazza. You can soak up all this atmosphere at one of the charming cafes. We will take a break here to sample some of Rome's famous gelato!

The Capitoline Hill, is where we finish our evening walk, upon Michelangelo's harmonious Renaissance piazza. In front of the office of the Roman mayor, is the world's only remaining bronze equestrian sculpture, and the two palazzos that house the Capitoline Museums. From behind the Palazzo dei Senatori, you will be afforded a breathtaking vista of the Roman Forum and Colosseum by night, a view of the origins of the modern Western world.