Emma Janes Rome

Itineraries

There are what you call the ‘Classical tours’ which of course are a must see but i like to share the different ones, what I call ‘Far from the madding crowd’ in this difficult period we have all unfortunately been involved with the Covid 19. I have some special ways of visiting without being stuck in the crowds. I will pre book all your tickets so we will not have to line up!

THE CLASSICS

Unravel 2000 years history of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, where it all began. Visit the Vatican, with the largest collection of Greek and Roman statues in the world. Discover the piazza's with their Baroque fountains and the mind blowing architecture of the Pantheon.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Get lost in the first museum in the world: the Capitoline Museum. The Montemartini Museum full of Roman artifacts from the Republican period. A must see is Villa Farnese frescoed loggia with the legend of Psyche and Amor. Discover the 4 main Basilica's where Christianity began.

ART GALLERIES

Some of the most unique collections starting off with Galleria Borghese, private collection to Pope Paul V, the Colonna Gallery, a private collection belonging to one of the oldest families in Rome. The Barberini Gallery collection belonging to the Barberini Papal family.

UNDERGROUND ROME

Visit the Vicus Caprarius, underground cistern to the acqua virgo aqueduct from 19 BC.
Explore the Roman Baths 'Le Terme di Caracalla' with their underground heating system.
Orvieto and their 1200 grottoes beneath the 3000 year old town.

SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP

We all know the best designer names, but we can discover together down the narrow cobbled Roman streets the lesser brands as well, often less can be more! I can help you find elegant, fun, trendy, classical or sporty clothes that you might be looking for and when you are tired let's go Italian and taste a refreshing 'Spritz' to take a break.

TOURS FOR FOODIES

I dare you to make your own pizza, roll it and toss it with the Master pizza maker, or why not learn how to make mouth watering gelato, or discover the local market piazzas tasting on the way, or even join a private Roman dinner with wine tasting?

FIT WALKING TOUR

Fit walking in the Borghese gardens and discover all about the Borghese family life and admire the many historical beauties on our walk. The Borghese Park is the third largest park in Rome, nearly 200 acres. It used to be the private 'country' afternoon retreat for the Borghese Pope and his family descendants , the 'villa suburbana'.

DOWN COUNTRY LANES

Tivoli: Emperor Hadrian's imperial country retreat Cardinal D'Este's 16th century country palace and land full of fountains grottoes and nymphaeums, his pleasure garden.
Ostia: discover this ancient roman town and port to republican Rome and then lunch by the sea.

The sun never goes down in the eternal city

DID YOU KNOW?

All my itineraries are custom made around your desires its all about discovery , learning and emotions that feed the soul for the discerning traveler.

Rome starts off as a small village 753 BC. Ancient Roman period goes from 753 BC to 476 AD.

Roman period is divided in 3 parts The Monarchy, The Republic, The Empire.

Nearly all regions in Italy have the symbol of Rome, Romulus and Remus, because founded by the Romans.

The Vatican is the smallest State in the world, it becomes independent 11th February 1929.

Roman aqueducts are cut off with the Fall of Rome but reconnected by the Popes in the 1400's and 1500's.

Ancient Rome is approximately 20 feet below todays ground level. The ruins we see today have all been excavated in the 1800's.

Ancient Rome is built on Seven Hills divided by the first Emperor Augustus into 14 regions.

The four oldest Basilicas in Rome date back to the 4th century AD built on top of the place of their martydom including of course St. Peter's.

ABOUT ME - MY BACKGROUND

Emma Jane Bond, born in England and lived in Royal Ascot where I studied both French and Italian, I finished my schooling in Malta and this is where my passion for history and the Mediterranean began and at 18 years old I moved to Rome. Now totally fluent in Italian with a good level of French and always a lover of languages. For the past twenty years I have worked in the Travel Business working with individual clients and VIPS travelling throughout Italy for one of the most exclusive Travel Agents, Abercrombi & Kent, starting as a Tour Director, which I still love doing. But most of all absorbing the fascinating history told by the local guiddes and this is when i decided to study for the state exam to become an Official Roman Tour Guide. The history, the geograohy, the culture and the history of art here is totally unique to the whole world. It becomes addictive!

Being a passionate food lover I have also taken two Cordon Bleu cookery courses here in Italy and time permitting would love to become a Sommelier, but in the meantime I have an excellent knowledge of the top Italian wines. I married an Italian cardiologist and have two amazing grownup children. Last and not least I am a total animal lover and feel just so incredibly lucky to live here.

I love outdoor life, whether it be fit walking, riding, swimming tennis or just walking, nothing can make me happier than taking you around all the most fascinating historical sites but rest assured I will take you to all the smaller and less famous places too, giving you a fantastic insight to the local life and for those who wish to I will introduce you to the best restaurants in town, from the local Trattoria to Michelin star dining.

TRAVEL TIPS

WHEN TO TRAVEL

SPRING AND FALL - The ideal climate
JULY AND AUGUST - Hot but glorious
DECEMBER – Simply magical
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH - A bit colder but blissfully peaceful

LITERATURE

THE FAMILIES THAT MADE ROME - by Anthony Majanlahti
SPQR - by Mary Beard
ROME A HISTORY IN 7 SACKINGS - by Matthew Kneale
THE CONCLAVE By Robert Harris
THE AGONY AND THE EXSTASY - By Irving Stone

WHAT TO PACK

sunglasses
sunscreen
hat
comfy shoes
binoculars
a camera
a big smile
an empty suitcase

WHAT TO TAKE BACK

hand made venetian glass
leather goods
gold, gold and more gold
balsamic vinegar from Modena
Extra vergine olive oil
parmesan cheese
tons of wine
unforgettable memories

Let’s see together how i can help you create your own itinerary with such a vast variety of experiences for you to savour.

We have traveled the world extensively and emma has been our best ever guide- we will return to discover more with her. thank you so much emma jane

Bob

NYC
Emma has a never ending knowledge of history and art
but best of all
she makes it fun too

Jen

TEXAS
We were a bit worried about taking our small children on a private tour but luckily we had emma jane as our guide in rome and she is so child friendly, our kids didn’t want her to go!

Linda and James

South Carolina

Suggestions for after Rome

Italy leaves you speechless with all it’s beauty and it’s incredible UNESCO sites, the largest amount of UNESCO sites in one country in the whole world and Rome is where it all began.

Amalfi coast

For those of you that are sea lovers i hugely recommend the Amalfi coast, again so much to see and so much to do. Amalfi, Ravello, Sorrento and Capri.
Enjoy the beaches, luxury motor yachts, grottoes and fishing villages, sail over to the island of Capri also known as the island of flowers.
The Amalfi coast is the area where the best mozzarella in Italy is made, local produce at its best, and you can be a part of it!
Limoncello tasting , assist mozzarella making and the incredible locally made potteries and get your hand made sandals. When you dine at the local restaurants and you choose to eat fish, always remember to ask for the "Catch of the day", which means the fish was caught that very same morning!
Behave like a local and chill out on the Amalfi coast.
Private transport from Rome can be arranged: Private drivers 4 seater Mercedes or Mercedes mini vans.

The tuscan countryside

After you have enjoyed these itineraries, I am sure you would love to relax in the tuscan country side and have some rural experiences. Please let me know if you are looking for a 5 star accomodation or a country villa as I have some super connections just ready for you on the agenda!
Local produce: if you are looking for artisan craftmanship this is the best place in the world, the architecture, antiques, furniture, interior decorating.
Just to give you a little taster: cooking classes, wine tasting and truffle hunting in tuscany!
From here you can visit: Florence with the unique Renaissance art and it's museums, the medieval town of san Gimignano full of tower houses, nicknamed medieval Manhattan. Siena, discover the Palio horse race and the town with 17 regions known as the bear, the giraffe, the woodlands, the dolphin etc! The Chianti region, need I say more? The Brunello region, wine wine and more wine, Lucca surrounded by completely intact medieval walls or Pienza famous for the amazing Pecorino cheeses.
Private transport from Rome can be arranged: Private drivers 4 seater Mercedes or Mercedes mini vans. .

Venice

How not to mention Venice and its local produce, venetian glass, gondolas and venetian Bellini cocktail.
Without doubt one of the most romantic cities in the world, forget cars and the rushed pace of life, you now are on foot or motor boats with some of the most incredible sunsets imaginable.
I want to take you from ordinary to extraordinary and Venice definately leaves you speechless.
Get lost down the tiny little alleys in Venice, where if you ask for directions the Venetians always say 'just straight on'! But there is nothing straight in Venice, luckily there are signs all over the place pointing to the main districts. This is the real Venice, 'far from the madding crowd'. Silent and beautiful.
Private transport from Rome can be arranged: Private drivers 4 seater Mercedes or Mercedes mini vans.