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Welcome to the Via Appia Antica — The Old Appian Way

Built in the late 4th century BC, the Appian Way, Rome’s first consular road, was the most ambitious military project as yet undertaken by the burgeoning Roman Republic. Its construction paved the way for Rome’s conquest of the fearsome Samnite tribe to the south and her subsequent domination of the entire southern Italian peninsula.

But the Appian Way was far more than just a military road.

Lined with the residences, villas, and the ornate tombs of wealthy Romans, and intersected by the subterranean catacombs of the Rome’s early Christians, the Appian Way has always been a treasure trove of personal stories — just waiting to be deciphered by those curious enough to look closer.

For years, I have been researching the Appian Way, studying its history and trying to piece together its stories.

Now I would like to share these stories with you.

Hike

Bike

Relax

My private Appian Way tours last between 3 to 3.5 hours and usually include the Appian Way, the Aqueduct Park, and the Caffarella Valley.

Cycling tours (3.5 hours) include visits to the Aqueduct Park and Caffarella Valley (a round trip of about 19 km). We will also stop off at several archaeological sites along the way.

Walking and golf cart tours tend to stay on the Appian Way, with visits to the Villa and Circus of Maxentius, the Mausoleum of Romulus, the Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella, and Capo di Bove Baths. We will also stop at several monuments further down the Appian Way, in the heart of the Roman countryside.

Below is a sneak peek from back in 2020.

About Me

Hi! I’m Alex, a British historian with an MPhil in Roman History from the University of Oxford. I’ve been in Italy for 11 years, working as a writer and a tour leader in Rome. I’ve studied my Suetonius, come to terms with Cicero, and got to grips with Gibbon—all so you don’t have to.

I’m an ETOA guide, tour leader for ACIS (the American Council for International Studies), and part of the guiding team for the Regional Park of the Appia Antica: my favourite hidden gem in Rome.

I love the juicy details from Roman history: the sex lives of the Caesars; damnatio memoriae (the ‘cancelling’ of disgraced figures). And we could talk for hours about the emperor Caligula, whose f*ckboy behaviour I discussed at length on a recent BBC History Hits podcast (which you can stream directly below).

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Reviews

★★★★★ 5.0 (4 reviews)

Our Appia Way e-bike tour with Alex was one of the absolute highlights of our visit to Rome. His relaxed and fun personality, combined with incredible historical knowledge of everything Roman made for a delightful afternoon and a much broader understanding of the Roman Empire than we would have had otherwise. His tour is a true gem and we would recommend it to anyone.

This might have been our favorite part of our visit to Italy. Family of four, two boys 11 & 14 did just fine. The e-bikes were excellent. Getting to ride alongside the aqueducts was amazing. Best of all was our tour guide Alex. He was patient with our group while we got accustomed to the bikes, was extremely knowledgeable but also had a great sense of humor. He clearly loves leading these tours. Very highly recommended. Would do it all over again.

This was an excellent tour, Alex was so knowledgeable and entertaining with his stories. A great experience to see something different in Rome.

One of the best tours we have taken. Alex was so much fun and full of enthusiasm and information. Highly recommend doing this.

Explore with a Roman Historian

My BA and Oxford MPhil in Roman History make me the ideal companion for a trip back through time along the Appian Way. I'll bring knowledge and substance, but without being academic and stuffy.

The Appian Way is My Speciality

I have been studying the Appian Way and its environs for more than 10 years. Nowhere else in the city gives you a more immersive insight into the culture of ancient Rome.

My Tours Are 100% Tailored

Whether you're interested in the engineering behind Roman roads and aqueducts, the lives of those buried alongside the Appian Way, or any other aspect of Roman civilization, you'll get a tour tailored specifically to you.

Venture Well Off the Beaten Path

The Appian Way and Aqueduct Park are a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Rome's city centre. As impressive as the Colosseum is, my guests cite their Appian Way tour as their most memorable experience in Rome.

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