Trafalgar and Insight Vacations – part of TTC Tour Brands – have launched five new experiences in Rome.
The options have been added as a response to the Vatican City announcing it will no longer offer the Bramante Staircase and Vatican Dining experiences to tour operators from April 1.
For departures from April 1, Insight Vacations clients can replace Bramante Staircase or Vatican Dinner experiences with private entry to the ‘Pharmacy of the Popes’ and a visit to the Church of Santa Maria Della Scala; an after-hours visit to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes; or an evening at Ristorante ‘Di Rienzo’ beside the Pantheon.
Meanwhile, Trafalgar clients can opt for a private after-hours visit to the Basilica Santa Maria in Cosmedin, home to the famous ‘Mouth of Truth’ or a dinner at Ristorante Pancrazio, on top of the ruins of the Theatre of Pompey, built in 61BC.
Kelly Walker, UK, Europe and Ireland sales director at TTC Tour Brands, said: “Our responses to the unavoidable Vatican City changes are a perfect example of how at TTC Tour Brands we are always ‘driven by service’ and can pivot with immediate effect to deliver amazing experiences.
“These new, meaningful encounters are curated experiences that guests cannot access in the same way without our connections.
“Best of all, we’ve trialled them with test groups of our travellers and they loved them, so we know they’re going to be a hit for guests.”
Clients and agents with guests on affected tours from April 1 have been informed of this change directly from the brands.
Picture of Rome by S.Borisov/Shutterstock.com