Wander From Home: Explore the Ancient History and Quiet Romance of Rome, Italy

With its roots in one of the most powerful and ancient civilizations in human history, Rome is steeped in historical intrigue. The former nucleus of the Roman Empire, The Eternal City was home to some of the greatest Emperors and conquerors of old. Its legacy of eminence continues with the Vatican City – epicentre of the Roman – that lies in the heart of the Italian capital. With Italy opening up to tourists, relive or learn more about the sights and sounds of beautiful Roma.

Marvel at the Beauties in the Vatican Museum

Photo courtesy of Andrea Zanenga

Located in the Vatican City, the Vatican Museum hosts one of the world’s greatest collections of renaissance art. The building itself is a masterpiece; every inch of Musei Vaticani is lavishly ornate, with entire rooms painted by the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael. See it for yourself with the museums series of 360° virtual tours that also takes you through the Sistine Chapel. A virtual guide is also available for the Pinacoteca, the Vatican’s principal painting gallery.

Relive the Gladiators Days in the Arena of the Colosseum

Photo courtesy of Federico Di Dio photography on Unsplash

By far the most famous landmark in Italy, the Colosseum (formerly known as the Flavian Amphitheater) is the unchallenged symbol of Rome despite being two-thirds destroyed. Almost 2,000 years old, the building constructed in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian is remarkably well preserved,  allowing guests to walk in the shoes of the ancient Romans. The hour-long virtual walkthrough start from the metro stop has informative nuggets while the 360 virtual tour is great for seeing the details up close.

Discover the Secrets of the Villa Farnesina

Rome has a vast collection of museums, but none is as intriguing or as understated as the Villa Farnesina. Designed by artist-architect Baldasarre Perruzi, the villa is a magnificent off-the-beaten-path museum that has witnessed many a clandestine love affair and boasts secret Raphael paintings. Step into a quiet oasis of situ art and architecture with a virtual 360 tour and admire the racy mythological frescos done by Renaissance painters like Raphael, Peruzzi, and Sebastian del Piombo.

Interested in a landscape garden in Rome? Book a guided tour to Villa Borgheses Garden

Test Your Courage at the Haunting Capuchin Crypt

Interested in the macabre? Pay a visit to the Capuchin Crypt and come face to face with the dead. Located beneath the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception, this crypt dates back to the 1600s and contains the mummified remains of almost 4,000 monks. With rooms that are morbidly named the Crypt of Skulls, the Crypt of Pelvises, the Crypt of the Leg Bones and Thigh Bones, expect to see the bones displayed in unique and grotesque patterns.

A Taste of Rome with the Nonna Nerina’s Virtual Cooking Class

In some circles, Italy and food are synonymous. Well now, in the safety of your own kitchen, you can delight your palate with some authentic Italian cuisine under the guidance of Nonna Nerina. Specialising in traditional pasta, she offers comprehensive 2-hour live masterclasses. With recipes ranging from Pici Carbonara and Gnocchi with pesto to the Traditional Tiramisu, your kitchen is guaranteed to smell like Italy’s many trattorias.

Walk Through the Streets of Rome

Aside from seeing famous landmarks, the best part of travelling is walking the streets with the locals, seeing what they see, and experiencing the way they live their lives. This two-hour, high resolution walking tour of Rome will take you through charming streets of the city centre and to places of interest such as the Piazza del Popolo, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, as well as Piazza Navona.

Top Image: Photo courtesy of rainhard2 on Pixabay


With a bucket list longer than the scripts of some feature-length films, Elyssa is always on the lookout for something interesting to do (or eat). When she’s not out looking for trouble, she can be found at home trying out a new recipe or watching a crime documentary.