Art & Design trips to Rome
Art & Design trips to Rome
Old meets new in the Eternal City
Rome’s nickname, the Eternal City, comes from the ancient Roman’s belief that it would last forever… and they might’ve have been onto something. Nearly 3,000 years later, it’s still one of the most captivating places you can visit, packed with iconic landmarks, bucket-list items and world-famous art.
For Art & Design students, Rome offers so much. You’ve got Michelangelo’s Sistene Chapel ceiling, Bernini’s sculptures, and Caravaggio’s dramatic paintings tucked away in churches all over the city.
But don’t be fooled into thinking that Rome is stuck in the past. Old meets new here, with contemporary galleries such as the Macro and the MAXXI showcasing bold work from the 20th & 21st century.
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Meet our Rome experts
It’s the people behind the scenes who make our trips truly special. Our Tour Designers know Rome inside-out and are ready to listen, share ideas, and offer tailored, experience-led advice to make your trip a huge success.
Ready to start planning? Call us or arrange a video appointment online.
Sophie
“My favourite itinerary”
Here’s a little inspiration to get you started…
Adam
“My top pick of things to see and do”
Rome is packed with creative inspiration, but here are a few standout experiences I always recommend for Art & Design groups:
Borghese Gallery
The Borghese villa and its small palace were constructed at the beginning of the 17th century in an area then occupied by orchards and vineyards, evidence of which can still be seen today.
Capitoline Museums
Dating back to 1471, the Capitoline Museums are the world’s oldest public museums.
Colosseum
The Colosseum was built during the reign of Emperor Vespasiano c. 72 AD and dedicated in 80 AD by his son Titus.
Macro Museum of Contemporary Art
Macro’s permanent collection offers a selection of some of the most significant expressions characterising the Italian art scene since the 1960s.
National Gallery of Modern Art
The Gallery includes work by Balla, Morandi, Pirandello, Carra, de Chirico, Turcato, Kandinsky and Cézanne.
The Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain stands 85 feet high and 65 feet wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome.
Vatican City
The Vatican City is situated entirely within the city of Rome, sprawling over a hill west of the River Tiber, and separated from the rest of the city by a wall.
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums house one of the finest art collections in the world.
Borghese Gallery
The Borghese villa and its small palace were constructed at the beginning of the 17th century in an area then occupied by orchards and vineyards, evidence of which can still be seen today. It exemplifies the style of villa owned by a great Roman family at that period. The gallery contains works by Raffaello, Canova, Bernini and Romano.
Capitoline Museums
Dating back to 1471, the Capitoline Museums are the world’s oldest public museums. Their collection of classical sculpture is one of Italy’s finest. There is also a formidable picture gallery with masterpieces by the likes of Titian, Tintoretto, Rubens and Caravaggio.
Colosseum
The Colosseum, was built during the reign of Emperor Vespasiano c. 72 AD and dedicated in 80 AD by his son Titus. The popular name of Coliseumcame about because the immense oval stadium was situated next to a colossal statue of Nero. The original name of this ancient Roman sports arena, the largest arena of its kind, is The Amphitheatrum Flavium.
Macro Museum of Contemporary Art
Macro’s permanent collection offers a selection of some of the most significant expressions characterising the Italian art scene since the 1960s.
National Gallery of Modern Art
The Gallery includes work by Balla, Morandi, Pirandello, Carra, de Chirico, de Pisisi, Guttoso, Fontana, Burri, Mastroianni, Turcato, Kandinsky and Cézanne.
The Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain stands 85 feet high and 65 feet wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome.
Vatican City
The Vatican City is situated entirely within the city of Rome, sprawling over a hill west of the River Tiber, and separated from the rest of the city by a wall. Vatican City comprises St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Square, the Vatican and the Vatican Gardens. The Vatican City is best known to tourists and students of architecture for the magnificent St Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums house one of the finest art collections in the world. As the collections are so vast, it is better to confine yourselves to a few selected highlights such as the Chiaramonte Gallery, the Raphael Rooms, Raphael’s Loggia and the Chapel of Nicholas V, the Pinacoteca Gallery, not forgetting the Sistine Chapel with the awe-inspiring Last Judgement, which fills the altar wall.
Kieren
“My top tips”
Here’s how to make the most out of your Art & Design trip to Rome.
Food is part of the experience
Trying local dishes is a brilliant gateway into the culture.
Agree clear meeting points
Everyone knowing where to regroup saves time and nerves.
Respect their downtime
Rested students cope better with busy schedules.
Sophie
The best places to stay
We’ve tried and tested accommodation across the city to find the options that work brilliantly for school groups – safe, comfortable, and perfectly located.
MEININGER Hotel Roma Termini
A short distance from Rome Termini station, MEININGER Hotel Roma Termini offers a convenient city setting with easy access to historic sites, museums and public transport across the city.
- En‑suite or shared‑facility rooms
- Central Rome setting
- Short walk from Termini railway station
- Easy access to metro and bus routes
- Well placed for cultural and sightseeing visits
Generator Rome
Set in the Esquilino area, Generator Rome provides central accommodation within walking distance of Termini station and close to many of Rome’s historic landmarks.
- En‑suite or shared‑facility rooms
- Central Esquilino neighbourhood setting
- Walking distance to Termini station
- Good access to public transport
- Easy reach of major Rome attractions
The most popular questions, answered
Rome places students inside layers of creative history. Seeing art, architecture and design in their original setting helps students understand how ideas influence one another across time. Learning here feels rich, connected and deeply human.
Esto designs Rome itineraries that encourage careful looking, interpretation and reflection. Students explore how form, material and context shape creative decisions, strengthening both practical work and critical writing.
Students encounter art as lived experience rather than reproduction. Thoughtfully paced days allow time to absorb, sketch and discuss, helping creative responses develop naturally rather than under pressure.
Esto chooses accommodation that supports creative focus as well as comfort. Bases are selected to provide calm evenings where students can sketch, talk through ideas and process inspiration together. It’s about giving creativity space to settle and take shape.
Trips include accommodation, transport and a bespoke itinerary shaped around your creative focus. Planning is intentional and measured, allowing inspiration to unfold at its own pace.
Esto works alongside you as collaborative tour designers, shaping an experience that reflects your students’ creative journey. Support is steady and reassuring, giving you the freedom to guide learning with confidence.
What people say
“Esto went above and beyond by assisting us to stay the extra night in Rome – caused by flight changes. The students had a memorable experience in Rome and I would definitely use Esto again.”
The Blue Coat School
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