This tour will start by visiting the 4C church of S. Pudenziana, one of the earliest in Rome. Built over the house of her father Senator Pudenzio, who received in it St. Peter, it still retains in the basement parts of the Roman establishment.

Not far is the Church of S. Prassede Pudenziana's sister, rebuilt by Pope Paschal in 9C with the famous Chapel of San Zeno so rich in gold of its Byzantine mosaics that it is called "The Garden of Paradise".

Next is the Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore. Altered and decorated in the 13C this 5C Basilica, in its vast central nave, is flanked by 40 monolithic marble columns supporting 36 original Roman mosaic scenes.

The Cinque Terre stretch of coastline is a National Park, and a Protected Marine Area, included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. After being placed on a list of sites at risk, the Park Authority began a long-term project to revitalize the farming practices behind the characteristic hillside terraces, many of which were falling into abandonment. It also aims at a sustainable level of tourism, maintaining the character and beauty of the region. Despite the number of tourists - which is at times overpowering - the schemes appear to be succeeding admirably.

There is a real sense of local identity even in the most tourist-crammed little piazze. Restaurants, bars and accommodation all have an endearingly homespun air about them, as though when the locals saw tourists coming they found a few garden chairs to stick on their terrace, handpainted a sign and began serving customers.

The Cinque Terre are (north to south): Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

Your private tour will give you a full understanding of Ancient Rome from its origins to the collapse of the Roman Empire.

It starts from the Colosseum from which there is a wonderful view over the valley of the Colosseum and its monuments, the ruins of the old fountain Meta Sudans and Constantine's Arch. The visit continues through the Roman Forum to the Capitol Hill, restructured by Michelangelo and with a copy of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Descending to Piazza Venezia we reach the Trajan's Markets, with the famous Column of Trajan, and the Imperial Forums.