*👉🏻 Best Tours & Experiences in Rome: * ✝Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Guided Tour - gyg.me/h1QLpBOO ✝ VIP Key Master's Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel - tinyurl.com/4dk737nw ✝ Vatican Gardens & Vatican Museums Group Walking Tour - tinyurl.com/3cf9mkvr ✝ St Peter's Basilica & Papal Tombs Tour with Dome Climb - gyg.me/yUSmGh4A 🏛 Colosseum Arena & Forum Tour - gyg.me/Ed1iVkOf 🛌 FIND ACCOMMODATIONS NEAR SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE booking.stay22.com/romewise/Y6IKP3A2eY 📕 Grab your eBook, 'Brief History of the Vatican' and discover the fascinating history of the holiest place in the Catholic world! - tinyurl.com/ycszycxd 🎫 BOOK YOUR TICKETS ON THE OFFICIAL SITE: tickets.museivaticani.va/home/calendar/visit/Santa-Maria-Maggiore
I wonder if she and her husband might start a tour company someday. I bet people might line up for a chance to take tours with her; many people might be thrilled to benefit from all this knowledge with her as a guide.
You are so kind! We are not licensed tour guides so instead of taking people around, we love to share our knowledge via this channel and our websites. Thanks as always for your lovely comments!
110% i would sign up in a heartbeat… mind you i’ve been to Rome 3 times now and her videos have helped me plan every single one of those trips… i would LOVE to have her as a tour guide ❤❤❤
She’s fast becoming a legend, if she’s not already one. In my opinion, the premium source for travel info while in Rome - and now she and her husband have branched out with videos about other Italian cities. Incredible information.
We are spending a month in Italy. Romewise has been an incredible resource. Rick Steves has been my "go to" tour resource. Steves is still an excellent resource, but for detail at a much more granular level, Romewise has been awesome. I have gotten a great education on the process of tour groups acquiring tickets which we then buy. Using the links Romewise provides I have gone directly to the source, purchased exactly what I wanted and when I wanted. So I want to give a huge Thank You to Rome wise for the incredible work you do to reduce the anxiety of traveling to a place full of unknowns.
Wow thank you for such a lovely compliment! That is my goal - to help people visit Italy without so much stress, and to have the trip they want! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how helpful you found my content.
I just found this video and I am so excited to tour this basilica! My son and I are staying just down a street from this beauty! We will be in Rome at the end of September. Thank you for the information.
Thank you so much Elyssa for yet another fantastic video. Santa Maria Maggiore is our favourite church in Rome and is across the street from the hotel and restaurant we always go to. It is such a beautiful church and thank you for sharing with us another brand new experience to do and what a fantastic cost. We will definitely follow your great advice once again when we are back in Rome later this year. Thank you again for featuring a special location to us.
Hi Peter! Yes, Santa Maria Maggiore is one of my favorite churches in Rome, too. The architecture, the mosaics, the history are all so wonderful. I loved this visit and hope you will be able to give it a try. Glad to have given you some more inspiration for things to do on your next visit to Rome! Thank you as always, 🙏☺🙏
Grazie mille! Visits to the Papal Basilica sites are high on our list to see in Rome when we visit in October. I just booked tickets for Santa Maria Maggiore. This video and many others on your channel have been a great help in planning. Five weeks and counting the days!
Love your videos. They are so informative and you REALLY do a great job. Alwasy look forward to seeing them. When we go back to Rome this will be one of our stops. Hopefully we can do it this December. Thank you for all you do...
Amazing et awesome video! With Elyssa talent one need not spent time et money going to Rome. Just watch her fantastic video coverage. It’s more than educational. The mass vestments et missal are truly fabulous to say the least. All the best to Elyssa et Romewise 🙏🏻🌹🇵🇭💐
Thanks for watching my videos. You are right, I don't yet have one for Castel Sant'Angelo, but it's on my list. I love that monument and think it's under-visited. My answer is that yes it can be worth purchasing your tickets in advance. Sometimes there are no lines at all but at other times there can be really long lines. For me it's worth having peace of mind not to worry or wonder about the possibility of a long wait. However, if you don't buy in advance, and just show up and find a line, you can use your phone and purchase an online ticket and then you can skip the long line. Here are my two web pages about Castel Sant'Angelo: www.romewise.com/castel-sant-angelo-rome.html romewise.com/castel-sant-angelo-worth-visiting.html
Ahhh which Naples underground tour? There are so many! The only thing that could be claustrophobic here is the tiny corkscrew staircase going up to the roof. It's pretty small and the climb (up or down) goes quickly. In Naples, there are a lot of different underground sites. Many of them I find to be not very claustrophobic because they are often in pretty large spaces. I can't think of a Naples underground with a staircase like this. So it may depend on what makes one feel claustrophobic.
I would not pay just for that view. The view from the Altare della Patria (the Vittoriano) is better and I think it is free to get up to the level with the chariots. There is a fee for the elevator to the highest level, which I did not do, but the views from the lower levels were spectacular. And there are no claustrophobic twisty staircases at Vittoriano!
I understand - but I think for 9€ getting to see the loggia, the Hall of Popes, the spiral staircase, and being able to walk out on the roof is a pretty good deal. There is also a 6€ ticket that just gets you to the loggia but not the roof. Either way, I think it's worth doing to see those mosaics and angels up close plus the staircase. But you are correct, there are plenty of wonderful views in Rome that are free: www.romewise.com/best-views-in-rome.html
How many steps are there anyway? How steep are they? They don't look anything like standard steps. That's what I need to know in order to assess whether I could manage this climb.
Hmmm, I didn't count the steps, but there are not so many. It's not like climbing St. Peter's dome or Florence's duomo. You first climb the big steps I showed in the beginning (although they also have an elevator option for those first set of stairs). Then you are already on a rooftop when you climb the corkscrew staircase. It's like climbing up one floor. It's really not tiring, but it's just a small space. FYI there is no elevator option for this part of the climb.
@@Romewise Thanks. I try to do a little training for this sort of trip; I'm not as young as some of you. I'd love to know how many kilometers Pompeii is lengthwise but all they say is how many square acres it is or something like that. I'd love to see Villa Jovis on Capri but I think the climbing would not be manageable.
@@beeeb8831 I hear you - many sites in Italy can be challenging to visit because of their size, accessibility, steepness, etc. Yes, the Villa Jovis on Capri is amazing but also requires quite a trek. The staircase to reach the roof of Santa Maria Maggiore is really not that high. It's a small space, but the climb doesn't last very long. I think it's more of an issue for someone being claustrophobic rather than getting out of breath.
@romewise It turns out today is a special day in Rome! I heard they're celebrating Notte dei musei 2024, with many museums and exhibitions offering free or €1 entry. Since I'm lucky enough to be here, I'd love some suggestions on what not to miss. Are there any groups I can join to make the most of this amazing event?
I am passionate about all the amazing things there are to see and do in and near Rome and Florence, especially and I just keep my eye out for things like this. Sometimes, my friends tell me about new things to do and sometimes I am browsing a site like the Vatican Museums and I see some of their new offerings.
If you want to skip the dome which tour do you recommend Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major - Entrance with Audioguide or Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major - EXCLUSIVE! Tour with the Art and Historian Expert
Either of those options are good. With the audio guide, you go at your own pace. With an art historian, you are likely to get more interesting info plus a chance to ask questions.
I think they are both interesting places to visit and I couldn't compare them. This ticket is only 9 Euros so it does not seem to be a waste to me, but of course, it may not be for everyone.
Hmm, I didn't count the steps. There are two for this video - the first set just takes you up one floor but there is an elevator option. It's like climbing to the second floor of a large condo building. The second set of steps is in that little round tower. There were really not too many. I was not out of breath at the top. As for it being claustrophobic, there are windows on the way up. I was ok with it and I do suffer from claustrophobia. I am not sure I answered your questions precisely but I hope this helps!
I think we will add this to our visit next week if we can get tickets! What time of year was this filmed? Do I need to pack warmer clothing for end of May?
Yes, I doubt you will have problems getting tickets, but as I said, I'd book ahead just in case. I filmed this at the end of April, very recently, but if you are coming end of May, it will be warmer and you may not even need a cardigan or jacket as I have on. Enjoy!
@@RomewiseThank you! I am packing for warmer weather, but I'm from Texas so my idea of warm might be a little skewed. I think I will pack a few extra pieces for warmth just in case! Also, if you don't mind me asking, when you say a tight space, would the staircase be a problem for taller people or is it just the cramped space?
*👉🏻 Best Tours & Experiences in Rome: *
✝Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica Guided Tour - gyg.me/h1QLpBOO
✝ VIP Key Master's Tour: Open The Sistine Chapel - tinyurl.com/4dk737nw
✝ Vatican Gardens & Vatican Museums Group Walking Tour - tinyurl.com/3cf9mkvr
✝ St Peter's Basilica & Papal Tombs Tour with Dome Climb - gyg.me/yUSmGh4A
🏛 Colosseum Arena & Forum Tour - gyg.me/Ed1iVkOf
🛌 FIND ACCOMMODATIONS NEAR SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE
booking.stay22.com/romewise/Y6IKP3A2eY
📕 Grab your eBook, 'Brief History of the Vatican' and discover the fascinating history of the holiest place in the Catholic world! - tinyurl.com/ycszycxd
🎫 BOOK YOUR TICKETS ON THE OFFICIAL SITE:
tickets.museivaticani.va/home/calendar/visit/Santa-Maria-Maggiore
I wonder if she and her husband might start a tour company someday. I bet people might line up for a chance to take tours with her; many people might be thrilled to benefit from all this knowledge with her as a guide.
You are so kind! We are not licensed tour guides so instead of taking people around, we love to share our knowledge via this channel and our websites. Thanks as always for your lovely comments!
You’re very welcome. Thank you very much for the video. Cheers.
110% i would sign up in a heartbeat… mind you i’ve been to Rome 3 times now and her videos have helped me plan every single one of those trips… i would LOVE to have her as a tour guide ❤❤❤
She’s fast becoming a legend, if she’s not already one. In my opinion, the premium source for travel info while in Rome - and now she and her husband have branched out with videos about other Italian cities. Incredible information.
@@ralphcasale9702 I really can't thank you enough for your support and encouragement! It helps inspire me to make more and better videos each time!
We are spending a month in Italy. Romewise has been an incredible resource. Rick Steves has been my "go to" tour resource. Steves is still an excellent resource, but for detail at a much more granular level, Romewise has been awesome. I have gotten a great education on the process of tour groups acquiring tickets which we then buy. Using the links Romewise provides I have gone directly to the source, purchased exactly what I wanted and when I wanted. So I want to give a huge Thank You to Rome wise for the incredible work you do to reduce the anxiety of traveling to a place full of unknowns.
Wow thank you for such a lovely compliment! That is my goal - to help people visit Italy without so much stress, and to have the trip they want! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how helpful you found my content.
I just found this video and I am so excited to tour this basilica! My son and I are staying just down a street from this beauty! We will be in Rome at the end of September. Thank you for the information.
Great! I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you so much Elyssa for yet another fantastic video. Santa Maria Maggiore is our favourite church in Rome and is across the street from the hotel and restaurant we always go to. It is such a beautiful church and thank you for sharing with us another brand new experience to do and what a fantastic cost. We will definitely follow your great advice once again when we are back in Rome later this year. Thank you again for featuring a special location to us.
Hi Peter! Yes, Santa Maria Maggiore is one of my favorite churches in Rome, too. The architecture, the mosaics, the history are all so wonderful. I loved this visit and hope you will be able to give it a try. Glad to have given you some more inspiration for things to do on your next visit to Rome! Thank you as always, 🙏☺🙏
Grazie mille! Visits to the Papal Basilica sites are high on our list to see in Rome when we visit in October. I just booked tickets for Santa Maria Maggiore. This video and many others on your channel have been a great help in planning. Five weeks and counting the days!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I'm really glad you found my channel helpful with your trip planning!
I love this Basilica, I stayed just across the road from it in March and enjoyed wandering around it, so stunning
It's an amazing place to visit! It's also a great area to stay in - so close to many of the major sites.
Wow!!! This looks like a fabulous tour. Thank you so much Elissa.
Glad you enjoyed it! I love the new initiative!
Thanks!
Wow thank you so much for your generous support! I am grateful! 🙏
very beautiful visit. So glad to learn all this from you. We are coming back to Rome next year so this is something on my to do-list. Thank u
Thank you so much for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful!
Totally fabulous! Thanks so much
Thanks for watching!
Elyssa you have done it again !
My hotel [ in 3 weeks ] is just around the block from the Basilica and your info is new to me !
Thanks again . Ken
Thanks so much! I hope you will get to enjoy this beautiful basilica and perhaps try out this rooftop visit!
Love your videos. They are so informative and you REALLY do a great job. Alwasy look forward to seeing them. When we go back to Rome this will be one of our stops. Hopefully we can do it this December. Thank you for all you do...
Thank you so much for always sharing such kind comments. I appreciate your support! I hope you will get to try this when you come back this December!
Amazing et awesome video!
With Elyssa talent one need not spent time et money going to Rome.
Just watch her fantastic video coverage.
It’s more than educational.
The mass vestments et missal are truly fabulous to say the least.
All the best to Elyssa et Romewise 🙏🏻🌹🇵🇭💐
Thank you so much for your very kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
loved seeing the angel statues! beautiful views ~ looks like you enjoyed the day even tho the stairs are...interesting! 💚
The angels are so amazing! For me, I love to see the mosaics on the original facade!
Great.
What camera do you use? As you were able to safely hold going down the steps.
It's an iPhone 14 Max pro with a DJI Osmo 6.
Do you have a food tour video?
Yes, I do. I have a whole playlist with all my food-related videos:
ua-cam.com/play/PLEAd_Z-Tx6V2Z__w6E8hzUiRYYa4RGc4K.html
Hi. I was looking in your channel for San Angelo videos but did not find any.. Where do you recommend buying tickets for Castle San Angelo ??
Thanks for watching my videos. You are right, I don't yet have one for Castel Sant'Angelo, but it's on my list. I love that monument and think it's under-visited.
My answer is that yes it can be worth purchasing your tickets in advance. Sometimes there are no lines at all but at other times there can be really long lines. For me it's worth having peace of mind not to worry or wonder about the possibility of a long wait. However, if you don't buy in advance, and just show up and find a line, you can use your phone and purchase an online ticket and then you can skip the long line.
Here are my two web pages about Castel Sant'Angelo:
www.romewise.com/castel-sant-angelo-rome.html
romewise.com/castel-sant-angelo-worth-visiting.html
Is it more claustrophobic than the Naples underground tour?? Yikes that's a tight experience
Ahhh which Naples underground tour? There are so many! The only thing that could be claustrophobic here is the tiny corkscrew staircase going up to the roof. It's pretty small and the climb (up or down) goes quickly.
In Naples, there are a lot of different underground sites. Many of them I find to be not very claustrophobic because they are often in pretty large spaces. I can't think of a Naples underground with a staircase like this. So it may depend on what makes one feel claustrophobic.
I would not pay just for that view. The view from the Altare della Patria (the Vittoriano) is better and I think it is free to get up to the level with the chariots. There is a fee for the elevator to the highest level, which I did not do, but the views from the lower levels were spectacular. And there are no claustrophobic twisty staircases at Vittoriano!
I understand - but I think for 9€ getting to see the loggia, the Hall of Popes, the spiral staircase, and being able to walk out on the roof is a pretty good deal. There is also a 6€ ticket that just gets you to the loggia but not the roof. Either way, I think it's worth doing to see those mosaics and angels up close plus the staircase. But you are correct, there are plenty of wonderful views in Rome that are free:
www.romewise.com/best-views-in-rome.html
How many steps are there anyway? How steep are they? They don't look anything like standard steps. That's what I need to know in order to assess whether I could manage this climb.
Hmmm, I didn't count the steps, but there are not so many. It's not like climbing St. Peter's dome or Florence's duomo. You first climb the big steps I showed in the beginning (although they also have an elevator option for those first set of stairs). Then you are already on a rooftop when you climb the corkscrew staircase. It's like climbing up one floor. It's really not tiring, but it's just a small space. FYI there is no elevator option for this part of the climb.
@@Romewise Thanks. I try to do a little training for this sort of trip; I'm not as young as some of you. I'd love to know how many kilometers Pompeii is lengthwise but all they say is how many square acres it is or something like that. I'd love to see Villa Jovis on Capri but I think the climbing would not be manageable.
@@beeeb8831 I hear you - many sites in Italy can be challenging to visit because of their size, accessibility, steepness, etc. Yes, the Villa Jovis on Capri is amazing but also requires quite a trek. The staircase to reach the roof of Santa Maria Maggiore is really not that high. It's a small space, but the climb doesn't last very long. I think it's more of an issue for someone being claustrophobic rather than getting out of breath.
@romewise It turns out today is a special day in Rome! I heard they're celebrating Notte dei musei 2024, with many museums and exhibitions offering free or €1 entry. Since I'm lucky enough to be here, I'd love some suggestions on what not to miss. Are there any groups I can join to make the most of this amazing event?
Trajans market, Castel Sant’Angelo… you could try the colosseum but it will be a zoo.
No groups that I know of.
Thankyou ❤
How does she find all this information? Fantastic!
I am passionate about all the amazing things there are to see and do in and near Rome and Florence, especially and I just keep my eye out for things like this. Sometimes, my friends tell me about new things to do and sometimes I am browsing a site like the Vatican Museums and I see some of their new offerings.
If you want to skip the dome which tour do you recommend Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major - Entrance with Audioguide or Papal Basilica Saint Mary Major - EXCLUSIVE! Tour with the Art and Historian Expert
Either of those options are good. With the audio guide, you go at your own pace. With an art historian, you are likely to get more interesting info plus a chance to ask questions.
Very nice rooftop view!
Fantastic views!! Truly 360 degrees!
Castel san Angelo has a better view and it is included in the ticket. This is a waste of money.
I think they are both interesting places to visit and I couldn't compare them. This ticket is only 9 Euros so it does not seem to be a waste to me, but of course, it may not be for everyone.
Thanks!
Thank YOU!!!
About how many steps are there & is it more claustrophobic than the Tower of Pisa?
Hmm, I didn't count the steps. There are two for this video - the first set just takes you up one floor but there is an elevator option. It's like climbing to the second floor of a large condo building.
The second set of steps is in that little round tower. There were really not too many. I was not out of breath at the top.
As for it being claustrophobic, there are windows on the way up. I was ok with it and I do suffer from claustrophobia. I am not sure I answered your questions precisely but I hope this helps!
I think we will add this to our visit next week if we can get tickets! What time of year was this filmed? Do I need to pack warmer clothing for end of May?
Yes, I doubt you will have problems getting tickets, but as I said, I'd book ahead just in case. I filmed this at the end of April, very recently, but if you are coming end of May, it will be warmer and you may not even need a cardigan or jacket as I have on. Enjoy!
@@RomewiseThank you! I am packing for warmer weather, but I'm from Texas so my idea of warm might be a little skewed. I think I will pack a few extra pieces for warmth just in case! Also, if you don't mind me asking, when you say a tight space, would the staircase be a problem for taller people or is it just the cramped space?
Another beautiful site to visit when I return. Grazie!
I hope you'll give it a try! It's really worth it!