Normally it's golfers and caddies with their equipment who use a golf cart which is driven on a golf course, so when I came across an option of being able to traverse the streets of ancient Rome in this unusual vehicle, I naturally opted for it.
Once in the golf cart, we felt as if we were riding in our own chariot. The open sides of the cart make the journey as exciting as the attractions you see on the tour. You can literally take in sights, smells and sounds very vividly, access the narrowest lanes brushing past seas of humanity and most importantly ride up close to many attractions which larger vehicles can't access. This way of touring is ideal for those with mobility issues and for families with small children, infants and seniors.
Our effervescent and knowledgeable guide, Lauren, fetched us from our Hotel on Via Guilia and drove us along the street pointing out unique aspects of it that our untrained eyes had missed, even though we had walked the length and breadth of it since we arrived in Rome a couple of days earlier! Soon Lauren veered into Piazza Farnese and showed us the huge bathtubs dominating the square in front of the French Consulate. After passing through a busy street market, we arrived at Piazza Navona with it's spectacular fountains. After a leisurely walk through the square, Lauren took us to see a glorious church and the equally stunning Trevi fountain. Much throwing of coins and wishing later, we drove almost up to the entrance of the jaw dropping Pantheon, inviting envious stares from other tourists. After a tour of the inside of the glorious structure we visited another church before stopping at a family run restaurant for a delicious meal.
Consequently we walked to Piazza della Minerva to see the marble baby elephant on an obelisk, crossed through the beautiful courtyard of a museum which was once an ancient church, continued to Piazza Venezia to see the Altar of the Fatherland, saw Mussolini's balcony where he used to make his fiery speeches, entered and walked through the magnificent Roman Forum with its many intact ruins including Julius Ceaser's final resting place and the immense marble Arch of Septimius Severus, walked up a hill in the Forum overlooking the Colosseum to take many exciting photographs one of Lauren's many secrets and lastly we visited the grand finale of our tour- The Colosseum. It is such a tremendous wonder from both the inside and out that it's hard to contain your excitement as you wait in the snaking line to get in. It's normal to gape in astonishment at the inside of the structure as you observe the incredible intricacies of its architecture and design and know of the its many uses.
On this tour, pre lunch, you travel in the golf cart everywhere. The guide will accompany you to attractions where the cart can be safely parked, otherwise with his/her guidance you tour a specific attraction independently. As the guide is parked so close, this poses no problem at all. A hearty lunch is included in the tour. Post lunch you tour by foot at your own pace. As mostly all the attractions are not very far apart, it isn't difficult. I'm sure for tourists with mobility issues, the post-lunch part of the Tour can be worked out differently. The tour ends at the Colloseum from where taxis or public transport are easily available and accessible with your guide's assistance.
Lauren was a wonderful guide who gave us detailed explanations of each attraction we visited. She had a great sense of humour and a genuine excitement for everything that she presented to us, which we, especially our young daughters, sincerely appreciated. She was also full of off the beaten path tips, she knew of hidden restaurants and gelaterias- even some in Florence! Her explanations of the Colosseum, the Altar of the Fatherland especially of the massive horse statue and the Piazza Navona Fountains were particularly exciting. She never rushed us, she patiently answered all our questions, she made the attractions come to life for us, she bonded with my daughters at their level as she bonded with us on ours. We were priveleged to spend the day with her.
I whole heartedly recommend taking this tour. The golf cart gives you a truy unique experience of rolling around the ancient Roman streets like in a chariot, it takes you up close to most attractions, the tour covers almost all the main attractions of ancient Rome in the span of a day, a great, wholesome lunch is included in the price of the Tour and the guides that accompany you are knowledgeable and affable.
Felicia Variava Albert, Managing Director, Blaze Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India