The Films of Rome in Rome
Includes all instruction, excursions, lodging, meals, shuttle to/from Rome airport
Ten (10) participants per week, maximum.
Trip Details
Join us for a 4-night, 5-day luxury getaway in Rome, with special access behind the scenes of the most iconic movies made in the Eternal City. Think Marcello Mastroianni, Sophia Loren and…a cameo from Audrey Hepburn! Our screening room and accommodations are at the 5-star Palazzo Ripetta, just off Piazza del Popolo.
Tom Means will lead the experience with his co-host the film critic, Lee Marshall, ecco his 2021 interview with Sophia Loren. Lee has also interviewed the Oscar-winning Italian director, Paolo Sorrentino, and many other household names like Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth.
Tom is a professor of Italian language, cinema and culture and he is a frequent guest on CUNY TV (channel 75 in New York City) where he speaks about book-movie adaptations. Here is a recent clip of him speaking about The Godfather.
Tom will walk the class through a themed highlight reel every morning in the hotel’s beautiful screening room. Lee will lead the day’s excursion around Rome, drawing on his experience in Italian film history and his 25 years living in Rome. Special guests will provide further insights. The program includes all airport transfers, accommodations, excursions, and four dinners with Tom, Lee and the special guests. Andiamo a Roma!
If you are interested in improving your Italian, we will arrange private lessons for you every morning in Rome. The lessons will be designed and supervised by Tom, and he will also guide your interaction in Italian with locals for the duration of the stay.
Examples of our excursions & afternoon activities:
- Private golf-cart tour of Cinecittà: The Hollywood of Italy, not only for Italian films but also where HBO’s “Rome” and Scorsese’s “The Gangs of New York” were made. Our private VIP tour gives us access to all that can be seen.
- The Coliseum with an archeologist: After we dissect scenes from “Gladiator” in class, we go deep into the Coliseum with an archeologist and historian to understand how the machinery all worked.
- FIAT 500 Sunset Tour & Aperitivo: Inspired by the exploits in “La Dolce Vita” and “Roman Holiday,” we will have our own glitz and spritz on this evening!
- Trattorias with Italian cinema insiders. The trattorias we select all follow one guiding principle–that we enjoy great food prepared by Italians, for Italians. You won’t find these eateries in a guide book, they are frequented by Italian artists, directors and actors.
- New perspectives on Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. We visit landmarks like these after insightful study on how they were portayed in the films we have enjoyed in class that day. This is not your usual tour, and you will never see them in the same light again.
Typical Day
07:30am-9:30am: Breakfast
Breakfast served in hotel. Private Italian lessons delivered to you if desired. Hotel staff will speak with you in Italian if you request.
10:00-12:00: Morning screening and class
Catch the fever of all things Italy and Italian with Tom and Lee. These morning classes are often a highlight reel of what the rest of the day will show you.
1:00-2:00pm: Simple, Roman Lunch
Over the years, we have seen that heavy lunches are not what our clients desire. We will guide you to local eateries for a refreshing and light lunch.
2:00-6:00pm: Excursion
We pride ourselves in our rich yet not too-packed itineraries. Every day features only one local excursion in our comfortable car service. Once we arrive at our destination, Tom, Lee and a special guest educate you and entertain you about Roman culture and history through the lens of film.
6:00-8:00: Riposo (rest)
In the spirit of making our trips very comfortable and very insightful, we build in at least two hours of private rest time every day
8:00pm-10:00pm: La cena
As described above, our guiding principle for the trattorias we chose is: More Italian, Less American. If we hit the bullseye, you will only hear Italian at neighboring tables.