Private

Walking Tour

About this Tour

This tour lasts 3.5 to 4 hours (depending on whether we want to stop and get gelato!)

My walking tour starts at the Basilica of St Sebastian Outside the Walls, on the third mile on the Appian Way. Should you wish to take a tour of the catacombs, you can do so beforehand by booking your tickets here. Please be aware that I cannot lead this part of the tour myself, as the catacombs employ their own guides.

We then visit an archaeological site known as the Villa of Maxentius, which includes an imperial-era chariot racing track and an imperial tomb known as the Mausoleum of Romulus, and the Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella, the best preserved monument on the Appian Way and a tomb with a terrific story, and the Capo di Bove Baths complex.

We will also stop at several monuments further down the Appian Way, in the heart of the Roman countryside before making our way over to the Aqueduct Park and exploring its remains.

It’s about 9 km (5.5 miles) from the Basilica of St Sebastian to the Aqueduct Park, and should take 3.5 hours, including stops along the way. These maps give you a good idea of the route we take.

About Me

I’m Alexander Meddings, a British-born 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—and I regularly feature as a guest on the BBC History Hit podcasts Betwixt the Sheets and After Dark.

I’m an ETOA guide, regular guest on BBC History Hit’s Betwixt the Sheets and After Dark, 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 reign I discussed on a recent podcast you can stream below.

Reviews

★★★★★ 5.0 (7 reviews)

Of all the tours avaliable in Rome, Appia with Alex is the "must do". It really doesn't matter if you're a Roman history nut, or a complete novice. Alex is always informative, always fun and does an amazing job at bringing Rome and Roman history to life. It was the highlight of our holiday. Plus you will come away with a lot of quiz facts to annoy people with!!

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are all your Appian Way tours private?

Yes. All my tours are private and led only by me, so you get my personal attention and professional expertise.

How physically demanding is your Appian Way & Aqueduct Park Walking Tour?

This tour requires a moderate amount of fitness, as we’ll be walking for 9km (5.5 miles) on fairly uneven ground. If you have mobility issues, we can look into a golf cart tour (subject to availability).

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes. I generally recommend walking tours instead of bike tours for families with children under 10. But given the length of this tour, families with children might want to browse my shorter Appian Way Walking Tour instead.

How can I get to the Appian Way from the centre of Rome?

You have two main options. The first, and easiest, is to book a taxi or Uber. The second is to take the 118 bus, which drops you off outside the Catacombs of St Sebastian (our meeting point for the walking tour).

What’s the maximum group size for your tours?

I prefer to keep party sizes as small as possible so I can dedicate my full attention. Ideally, groups should be no more than 8, but I am willing to accommodate all requests.

Who should take an Appian Way tour?

Anybody with an interest in Roman history (specifically social and political history). Engineers will also enjoy exploring the Aqueduct Park, where the remains of seven of Rome’s ancient aqueducts dominate the landscape. Even if history isn’t really your thing, but you love spending time in the countryside or venturing off the beaten path and doing something active, I guarantee my private Appian Way tour will be a highlight of your trip.

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.