Arrival in Rome and private transfer to your gay-friendly hotel.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, allowing you to settle in and begin absorbing the unique atmosphere of the Eternal City at your own pace. Rome is a place where layers of history overlap continuously: ancient ruins, Renaissance palaces, vibrant neighborhoods and everyday Roman life coexist naturally.

In the early evening, enjoy a relaxed aperitivo at Coming Out, one of Rome’s most iconic LGBTQ+-friendly venues, located just steps away from the Colosseum, in what is often referred to as Rome’s historic Gay Street. This is the perfect introduction to the city’s contemporary queer scene, blending local flavors, social life and a welcoming atmosphere.

Overnight in Rome.

After breakfast, meet your local gay or gay-friendly guide for a walking tour that explores Rome through a different historical lens.

Rome was not only the capital of an empire, but also a city where power, desire and identity intersected in complex ways. Same-sex relationships, fluid roles and unconventional personal lives were part of the social fabric of ancient Roman elites—often accepted, sometimes criticized, but rarely hidden in the way we might expect today.

Through ancient sources and historical accounts, your guide will introduce you to some of the most fascinating figures of Roman history:

• Julius Caesar, described by the historian Suetonius as “the husband of all wives and the wife of all husbands”, and mocked by his political enemies for his relationship with King Nicomedes of Bithynia.
• Emperor Nero, whose life openly challenged traditional norms, including his marriages to male companions such as Sporus and later Doryphorus.

These stories are not told as gossip, but as windows into the values, contradictions and freedoms of Roman society, revealing how private lives and public power were deeply intertwined.

The walk weaves through some of Rome’s most iconic archaeological areas, allowing history to emerge directly from the stones, statues and ruins of the city.

The afternoon is free for personal exploration, shopping, or simply enjoying a coffee or gelato in one of Rome’s historic squares.

Overnight in Rome.

Today you leave Rome to reach Tivoli, a historic town set on the Tiburtine Hills, founded in 1215 BC and famously described by the poet Virgil as “Tibur Superbum”. Since antiquity, Tivoli has been a place of retreat, known for its thermal waters, refined villas, and breathtaking landscapes.

Tivoli is home to some of the most extraordinary villas of the Roman world. Among them, Villa Adriana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as one of the most powerful symbols of love in ancient history. Built by Emperor Hadrian, the villa reflects not only imperial grandeur but also his deep bond with Antinous, whose death marked Hadrian for the rest of his life. The cult founded in Antinous’ name spread across the Empire, and Villa Adriana remains its most eloquent monument.

After the visit, you return to Rome to explore Palazzo Massimo, one of the most important classical art museums in the city. Its collection includes extraordinary Greek and Roman sculptures, such as The Boxer at Rest and The Niobid, masterpieces that celebrate the male body with striking realism and emotional depth.

The day continues along Via Portuense, an ancient Roman road that once connected Rome to its river port on the Tiber. Here, you will enjoy a unique wellness experience in an exclusive spa and resort area, where underground baths and sensory itineraries invite you to relax and reconnect with your body and senses.

Return to your hotel in Rome. Evening at leisure.

Private transfer Rome–Tivoli–Rome included. Lunch suggestions available upon request.

Today’s journey takes you beyond Rome, into landscapes where art, symbolism, and mystery intertwine.

Your first stop is Bomarzo, home to the extraordinary Park of Monsters. Conceived in the 16th century by Pier Francesco Orsini and designed by architect Pirro Ligorio, this surreal garden breaks every Renaissance rule. Gigantic stone figures, mythological creatures, tilted houses, and enigmatic inscriptions create a dreamlike atmosphere that still feels deeply modern.

After the death of his wife Giulia Farnese, Orsini devoted himself entirely to this project, transforming grief, desire, and intellectual curiosity into a theatrical landscape carved directly into the peperino stone of the valley. Walking through the park is both unsettling and strangely peaceful, an experience that speaks to the subconscious as much as to history.

After lunch, continue to Orvieto, one of the most fascinating hill towns in Umbria. Built on a volcanic plateau and inhabited since Etruscan times, Orvieto reveals layers of history hidden both above and below ground. You will visit the magnificent Duomo, famous for its golden façade and extraordinary frescoes, before strolling through the historic center, among artisan workshops and flower-filled alleys.

Do not miss the Pozzo di San Patrizio, an engineering masterpiece descending over 60 meters into the rock, designed to ensure water supply during sieges.

Return to Rome in the evening.

Today is dedicated to pleasure, conviviality, and the secrets of Italian cuisine.

You will take part in a hands-on Italian cooking experience led by a professional chef, in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in the heart of Rome. This is not just a lesson, but a shared moment where food becomes a language connecting people.

Together, you will prepare a complete Italian menu using fresh, organic ingredients:

• a starter
• handmade pasta
• a traditional meat dish
• dessert

The experience ends around the table, enjoying what you have created, sharing stories, laughter, and wine. A perfect balance of learning, fun, and authentic Roman hospitality.

Today you escape the city for a relaxing day by the sea at Capocotta, Rome’s iconic gay beach.

Located within a protected natural reserve, Capocotta is known for its wide dunes, wooden walkways, and relaxed, inclusive atmosphere. Often compared to Fire Island in New York, it is a summer meeting point for Rome’s LGBTQ+ community.

Enjoy the sea, the sun, informal beach life, and the freedom of one of Italy’s most celebrated gay-friendly beaches. In the evening, return to Rome.

Your final full day is dedicated to one of the world’s greatest art collections: the Vatican Museums.

Accompanied by a specialized guide, you will explore classical sculptures and Renaissance masterpieces through a different lens, focusing on the sensuality of bodies, hidden symbols, personal stories, and forbidden loves.

From the Apollo Belvedere to Michelangelo’s works in the Sistine Chapel, the visit reveals details rarely highlighted: power dynamics, inner conflicts, and secret relationships within the Papal court. The stories of artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci are told alongside those of popes, dynasties, and scandals that shaped the Vatican’s history.

This is not just a museum visit, but a reinterpretation of Western art history through desire, identity, and human complexity.

Evening at leisure in Rome.

Check-out from the hotel.
Private transfer to the airport available on request.

End of services.