Traditions & Heritage
5 (88)

Rome’s literary legacy

3 hours English
5 (88)
100% Personalized

Second hand bookstores to lose yourself in, hidden haunts and the oldest cafe in Italy.

Federica
Federica
Massimo
Massimo

Match with one of our local hosts

Be matched with a host based on your interests and preferences, to tailor your perfect day.

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100% Flexible: Adapt in real time

Your host will fine-tune the experience in real time to match your mood.

Experience Overview

Time:

3 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

Meeting point:

Your hotel/apartment or any other central location

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring:

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

What’s Included:

3-hour experience
Private and personalised
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)

What’s Excluded:

Food and drink
Transport costs
Tickets to any attractions
Gratuities

Key Highlights:

  • Explore Rome’s most literary neighbourhood with a host who is a fellow book lover
  • See the former homes of famous authors who once lived in Rome
  • Browse the unique bookstores in the city that only a book lover would know about; whether antique leather bound volumes, second hand books or modern musings are your thing, your host knows just the spot!
  • See the places that have inspired incredible writers and the spots that have featured in famous novels
  • Enjoy a coffee in Rome’s oldest coffee shop - you could be sitting where Byron once sat!
  • Chat about your favourite books with your host and get recommendations for other bookshops and places to visit

What travelers think of our Rome experiences

M
Madilyn 1 June 2025

Bea was very personable and friendly! She made the experience very enjoyable

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Leah 1 June 2025

We had a 3 hour walking tour around Rome. Our guide was Shiva and she was just amazing. Her knowledge about the history of Rome was so interesting. We had the best time and felt very comfortable the whole time. I had personally never been overseas before and Shiva was able to make the whole experience wonderful. I would highly recommend Shiva as a personal tour guide and would recommend more time if able to. Thank you Shiva for making our very short time in Rome memorable. Xx

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Cristina 1 October 2024

Francesca was great. She arrived early to pick me up from my hostel. She was really careful to show me special places while giving me an insight into how it feels to truly love Rome, to understand the ways it became what we see and experience today. I enjoyed every bit of it.

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Kari 1 November 2023

Andreea is simply extraordinary. On short notice she researched and designed a tour specific to my research interests... and proceeded to blow my mind with her knowledge and passion for the subject matter! I was so impressed by the insight and perspective she brought to multiple periods of Roman history and her remarkable synthesis of art, history, literature, and philosophy. I know I'll never forget the hours we spent together.

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Donna 1 November 2019

Having someone to guide you around a city like Rome is the way to go. We saw churches and art that we would not have necessarily found on our own. Our guide was knowledgeable, easy to talk to and we had a great time.

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Gabriella 1 June 2018

I booked the literature experience in Rome when I was travelling solo across the major cities in Italy. Letizia was fantastic. She graduated in Italian literature and shares my passion for English Romantic poets, we have so much in common! She showed me the paces which are special for her, like the Keats-Shelley Memorial House which is just right beside the Spanish Steps. I didn't know about this! I wish I had more time in Rome as Letizia spoke with passion about many places I couldn't visit in this occasion... I am booking my next flight to Rome asap and will book Letizia again, no doubt!

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What you’ll do

Rome has captivated the imagination of writers and poets for centuries, which isn’t surprising when the city looks the way it does. You’ll join one of our local Rome hosts to uncover a world of romance, comedy, and drama as you weave through the streets which chronicle Rome’s literary past.

Discover the corners immortalized in classic novels and step back in time to when some of the most influential writers and poets walked cobbled streets as you peek into where they once lived.

Once your bookish appetite is satisfied, sit down for a cappuccino in Italy’s oldest cafe where Byron and Keats once sat, or explore a neighborhood where famous writers once lived - they tended to group together, you know?

But it’s not all in the past - you’ll discover the most charming independent bookstores along the way, where you could spend hours getting lost amongst antique, leather-bound volumes or perusing the shelves in a more modern spot where you can find contemporary writings on Rome.

We’d be surprised if you don’t leave with at least one book in hand!

Real Stories, Real Connections

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Sunlit Smiles by the Fountain of Wishes

Sunlit Smiles by the Fountain of Wishes

Smiles in the Sunlight: A Day at the Iconic Steps

Smiles in the Sunlight: A Day at the Iconic Steps

Joyful Moments: A Vibrant Day in a Historic Piazza

Joyful Moments: A Vibrant Day in a Historic Piazza

Evening Smiles at Ancient Ruins

Evening Smiles at Ancient Ruins