Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's Women

Uncover the captivating lives of powerful courtesans and mistresses in Renaissance Rome. Explore the history of women in Europe, their struggles, and triumphs in a tour that reveals the politics, religion, and society of 16th and 17th century Italy.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Basilica San Marco Evangelista - The tour begins with a massive statue that in 1477 was named after a famous Courtesan. The statue nowadays is indeed known as “Lady Lucrezia”. This XV century woman who lived an incredibly colorful life, is the first story of this storytelling tour
What's Included
  • A knowledgeable local guide
  • Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Entry to all mentioned landmarks
  • Traditional lunch included
  • Comfortable air-conditioned transportation
  • Small group experience
  • Free bottled water throughout the tour
  • Exclusive access to certain areas
  • Souvenir shop visit (optional)
What's Not Included
  • Snacks
Additional Information

This storytelling walking tour revolves around 7 historical women who lived in Renaissance Rome. In a day and age where women didn’t have access to education, the Renaissance Scarlet Ladies managed to become the Best Educated Women in Europe. They were dancers, great singers, or poets, and this gave them the chance to emerge from poverty. Nowadays we…

Location
Trajan Column
Foro Traiano
The meeting point for this tour is by "Trajan Column" (90 feet tall) adjacent to Piazza Venezia. The tour guide will be holding a "Scarlet Ladies" sign in his hand
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(48 Ratings)
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R5572onroberth
Nov 6, 2024
Highly entertaining and informative - A great tour. We were in Rome 9 days and took a dozen tours and this was our favorite (along with Massimo's other tour). Massimo did a lot of homework and is a great storyteller. The tour was highly informative and entertaining. It may sonud a little seedy (and it is) but it was handled tactfully such that my very conservative wife loved the tour. You will not regret taking this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
282gayp
Oct 28, 2024
Renaissance at its best - This was a wonderful delve into the "steamier" side of the renaissance Rome. Seven women were highlighted along with some of their homes. Massimo is a wonderfully sassy, knowledgeable and talented storyteller. I don't know when I have enjoyed and laughed so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bluephoenix416
Oct 23, 2024
Rome's Lesser Told Stories - This was such an amazing tour. Be sure to wear your good walking shoes because Massimo takes you to many sites. Massimo has a wealth of knowledge with the stories of the women you will learn about. The twists & turns of the stories & the range of emotions you feel for these women is all worth it. You end up getting very invested in these women & wonder how many more were like them. Massimo is not only a phenomenal story teller, he is giving a voice to women that normally are not heard. This is a side of Rome that they don't teach you in schools. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scooplevy
Sep 11, 2024
A rare find - Massimo was absolutely delightful. His knowledge of the subject and his research was incredibly detailed. His stories were fascinating and gave us a whole new perspective on the impact of church in the lives of 14th, 15th and 16th century Romans. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mikemarcie
Jun 30, 2024
Intimate Stories of Renaissance Women, Coming Alive through Interactive Storytelling - Your trip to Rome will be enhanced and memorable if you take at least 2 tours with Massimo and Storytelling Rome Tours. The Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour takes the in-depth research of Massimo and translates women into a major influence of History, not a footnote. These women and the ordinary lives of Romans are interwoven with the power brokers of the Renaissance, providing a unique perspective and a very theatrical storytelling experience. Thank you forever Massimo for your theatrical, very detailed stories and your cheerful, kindness to an old lady! Thank you Staff for all the before communication in helping us be able to engage in these wonderful tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heathc257
Jun 24, 2024
good for kids also from my personal experience - It was truly amazing! As a 15 year old myself I usually dont like this sort of thing but it was fantastic! He was highly engaging and had conversations with us about what he was talking about instead of just lecturing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q6387dijohnc
Jun 19, 2024
The most complete and engaging guide in Rome! - Our Guide Massimmo is a gifted and knowledgeable storytelling guide. We have been on 5 of his tours now and have returned summer after summer. We cannot recommend him and his company enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P_l
Jun 5, 2024
FABOULOUS tour - absolute must for all women - Probably the BEST tour I have ever been on! Very detailed descriptions about the history of several women, which must have taken a lot of research. I finally understood the meaning behind some of the famous paintings. We also visited some of the houses where they lived.
Review provided by Viator
Georgiapownall
May 23, 2024
Fantastic and Engaging Tour of Rome! - Hugely engaging and unique tour. I wanted something different, edifying and entertaining which this experience delivered. Massimo is a brilliant story teller with all the academic historical knowledge to back it up! Thank you, Georgia
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Happiness677114
May 21, 2024
Feisty and fun tour by a wonderful guide! - A wonderful way to see and learn about Rome- Massimo is a gem! We loved our tour- packed with great history and we visited places we would have never found on our own. Highly recommend !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
November 2024
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