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Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) depart year-round. On Italy's Lazio coast, a 16th-century fortress welcomes cruisers to Civitavecchia, Rome's main port. This stunning Mediterranean village is 50 miles northwest of the capital city. Rome's influence on art, intellect, politics and religion helped shape the Western world, and much from its storied past still can be seen today. Can't-miss tour destinations include Vatican City's Sistine Chapel, featuring frescoes painted by Michelangelo; the Roman Forum ruins, home to impressive temples from the ancient metropolis; and the Colosseum, built in A.D. 80 as an amphitheater for gladiator battles and war games. As you stroll cobblestone streets with a slice of authentic pizza or a cone of creamy gelato, make sure to pose for a photo at the Spanish Steps and toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to the Eternal City. Culinary tours venture to vineyards and groves for wine sips and olive oil dips.

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A Taste of Civitavecchia

Tarquinia and the Last of the Etruscans

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Civitavecchia shore excursions and tours to rome, italy.

Travel from the Civitavecchia cruise port to the classical city of Rome. Book a day trip with a knowledgeable tour guide and experience history that spans over two and half thousand years.

Experience many historical delights and the astonishing artistic and Etruscan heritage of ancient Rome in either a small group or a private tour.

Art lovers will marvel at the breathtaking Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum and love bypassing the lines when choosing our Private Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica day tour.

Other sightseeing opportunities you'll fall in love with on our fantastic Rome shore excursion tours are the majestic Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Palatine Hill, and the legendary Trevi Fountain.

Don't forget about our private shore excursions from Civitavecchia for a more intimate experience.

Carnival Cruise Line

This year just one Carnival ship will be at our port: Carnival Pride

Carnival Cruise Lines was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison. This is the cruise company best known in North America. It makes traveling more than 3.5 million tourists a year, worldwide.

It offers specials and discounted cruises to the islands of the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico, Jamaica… Carnival cruises low cost push as far as Alaska, Canada and Europe. The Carnival Splendor is one of the most luxurious and comfortable ships of the company, with a theater with ocean views and a large spa.

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In ancient times it was said that all roads lead to Rome… but in your case, the seaport of Civitavecchia is your road to Rome. Get there and you’ll find out what made the place so popular. The Vatican's Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the Colosseum with its lurid history, and the Trevi Fountain — where a tossed coin promises your return — are not to be missed on any visit to the so-called “Eternal City,” one of the cradles of civilization. Take a walking tour of Rome’s many historical landmarks and enjoy the lively sidewalk cafés, ending the day alla romana strolling through the atmospheric Centro Storico.

• Look up at Michelangelo’s frescos on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling.
• Climb to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica dome for panoramic views of Rome. 
• Have your picture taken on the flowery Spanish Steps.

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The Spectacular Carnival of Rome

Carnival is a unique and very popular celebration in Italy It is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent, but the main events are usually during February. This feast goes on for many days starting from February 7th, although the biggest celebrations are from “Giovedì Grasso” (Fat Thursday) to “Martedi Grasso” (Fat Tuesday) [always […]

Carnival is a unique and very popular celebration in Italy

It is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent, but the main events are usually during February. This feast goes on for many days starting from February 7th, although the biggest celebrations are from “Giovedì Grasso” (Fat Thursday) to “Martedi Grasso” (Fat Tuesday) [always on February].

Italy boasts a centennial tradition expressed in the mastery of masks, costumes and allegorical floats , also linked to theatre and “commedia dell’arte”. During this period Italian cities are literally invaded by masks, parades, confetti, lights and traditional carnival sweets. Each city has its own traditions and celebrations; here we are going to talk about Rome and its rich calendar of Carnival events.

Carnival in Rome: the parade

The most spectacular carnival events are definitely parades . In many important squares and also urban roads there will be a proper colorful invasion of handcrafted period costumes, nobly embellished masks and traditional floats, all enriched by fireworks and shows of every kind. Navona Square, Spanish Steps and the cherry on the top…the most well-known of Rome’s annual carnival events, the horse-drawn parade taking place along Via del Corso at 16.00 on February 17th. With more than 100 horses and carriages, the parade evokes the Berber horse race that was historically the most important event of the Roman Carnival since 1874, when it was abolished due to a bad accident. That evening Carnevale ends with the annual firework display in Piazza del Popolo.

This year Roman Carnival agenda is even richer, with celebrations dedicated to Christina of Sweden in occasion of the 360th anniversary of her arrival in Rome. The first event is a photographic exhibition of previous Roman carnivals, opening on February 7th at the Biblioteca Angelica, involving the Accademia dell’Arcadia, one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of Roman literature.

Carnival in Rome: kids Events

Many of the carnival events are directed to children. The Bio parco in Villa Borghese offers fun and educational activities on February 15th. The zoo’s little visitors will be delighted by entertainers dressed as animals, and there will be performances involving clowns, children and parents, followed by awards for the best mask or costume.

As regards alternative cultural events we have to mention the one on February 12th at the courtyard of Palazzo Braschi, that hosts “Il Generale Mannaggia La Rocca”, a play inspired by Carnevale Roman mask. Moreover on Sunday 15th, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica in Palazzo Corsini hosts Accademia Nova’s Strings concert, where amazing musicians will perform in the different rooms of the museum, offering to listeners the splendour of Baroque music surrounded by the beauty of the old dwelling of Christina of Sweden and its art masterpieces.

Plenty of extraordinary and highly amusing events you can’t miss!

Read also our previous post about Italian Carnival

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Rome’s Carnival: From Ancient to Modern Times

Home / Blog / Rome’s Carnival: From Ancient to Modern Times

When talking about the Carnival in Italy, the first that comes to mind is the one from Venice. Famous for its glamorous costumes and parades, Venice receives hundreds of thousands of visitors every year in February who hope to be a part of these glamorous celebrations.

Although Venice might hold the title of the most famous carnival in Italy, did you know that every region has its own special traditions? The town of Acireale in Sicily is well-known for its spectacular parades with stunning floats and costumes. The towns in Calabria participate celebrate the Carnival by participating in ancient rituals that have been handed down from generation to generation. One of the most fun Carnival traditions definitely originates in the town of Ivrea where the people organise themselves in nine teams and hold a battle amongst each other with oranges!

While the carnival in Rome is not as spectacular as some of the other Italian cities, during this period there are several events organised around the city including theatrical performances, equestrian parades, concerts and street art performances. Let’s first delve into Rome’s carnival traditions and then take a look at this year’s exciting events.

The History of Rome’s Carnival

Some believed that the Roman carnival has its origins in the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia.

The origins of the Carnival in Rome are uncertain. Some believe that the carnival originates from the famous ancient Roman festival, Saturnalia. It was celebrated in honour of the god Saturn, god of agriculture and time. Although initially Saturnalia lasted only a day, by the late Republic, festivities began on December 17th and lasted for a week.

School and work came to a halt as people decorated their houses and streets with wreaths and other decorations. The days were spent feasting, excessive drinking, gambling, visiting relatives and exchanging gifts. As with all ancient Roman festivals , the initiation of festivities required a sacrifice. In this case sacrificed a sacrificed a suckling pig in their homes in honour of Saturn.

The most interesting tradition of Saturnalia was that on this day societal norms were overturned and masters served slaves. Slaves were allowed to speak freely and even rudely to their masters without the fear of punishment. They could also eat with and sometimes even before their masters and wear hats that were only allowed to be worn by free citizens.

Ludus Carnevalarii

Via del Corso was where the most famous events of the Roman carnival took place.

While it is unknown if the carnival is related to Saturnalia, it is definitely related to the Ludus Carnevalarii that dates back to the 12 th c. AD. There were several extravagant festivities that took place during this period. They included the pope riding on a horse along with his knights to perform various ceremonies, the members of noble families participating in various duels and even bullfighting events.

Initially these events were held near Testaccio and the plane below Monte Ciocci but as they became more popular, they were moved to more central areas such as Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo and Via del Corso.

Via del Corso became the site of one of the most popular carnival events: various types of races that started at Piazza del Popolo and ended in Piazza Venezia. These different types of races included horse and donkey races, races for children, races for the elderly and in 1501 Pope Alexander VI Borgia, even introduced a race for prostitutes! But the most awaited event of the carnival was the Berber horse race during which the entire city’s population descended on Via del Corso to witness the nobles competing with their magnificent horses.

→ To tour the center of Rome with a customizable itinerary and learn about its history take our private Golf Cart Tour of Rome !

The Modern Carnival

By the 1870s the carnival in Rome was in decline and after an incident that claimed a few lives, the equestrian race was banned. After the unification of Italy, the carnival lost all its importance but in modern times several events are organised around the city and people continue to indulge in various festivities.

Events that you can attend this year:

• The San Carlino Puppet Theatre in Villa Borghese is organising an animal themed puppet show for kids until the 26 th . If you have kids, this could definitely be worth a visit!
• Tarantella del Carnevale : On 19th February, Auditorium Parco della Musica is organising an exciting event that includes masquerades and performances by musicians and dancers.
• Street art in Piazza Navona : For various types of performances by street artists that include dancers, musicians, painters and comedy routines, do visit Piazza Navona on Sunday, February 19 th .

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