Leaving Civitavecchia and following the sea road, it takes about 1 hour to reach Ostia, the Roman city of the Imperial age whose Latin name `Ostium' means `mouth of the river', being situated at the mouth of the Tiber river.

Situated amongst the cypress and mediterranean pine trees the ruins of the port of ancient Rome reveal more than any other monument in the capital, how everyday life must have been like in ancient times.

Founded in the 4th century BC, Ostia Antica is reminiscent of Pompeii, but on a smaller scale and in a prettier, parklike setting. Tidal mud and windblown sand covered the city, which lay buried until the beginning of the 20th century when, archaeolgical excavations undertaken, have brought the ancient city back to light, a rare witness of 900 years of Roman civilization.

During your walk through the ruins, your guide will gradually instruct you about the cultural and social life of this interesting commercial settlement.

Your visit to Ostia Antica itself starts at `Via delle Tombe' which leads you to the `Porta Romana', one of the city's three gates. This is the beginning of the `Decumanus Maximus', the main thoroughfare that crosses the city from north east to south west. Then you will arrive at the `Terme di Nettuno' where you can admire the beautiful black and white mosaics representing Neptune and Amphitrite, the theatre built by Agrippa and the Forum which formed the centre of the city. Here you will discover the principle public buildings, `Il Capitolium' and the temple of Rome and Augustus, the Basilica and the large thermal baths. Near the forum square you will also find the House of Diana and the `Thermopolium' an ancient Roman bar with a marble counter and a fresco depicting the fruit and foodstuffs that were sold there. At the end of Via dei Dipinti, the Museo Ostiense displays some of the ancient sculptures and mosaics found among the ruins.

After this fascinating stroll through the past you will return to your ship.

PLS NOTE: THIS TOUR WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON MONDAYS BECAUSE THE EXCAVATIONS ARE CLOSED.