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

48 Reviews |

Recommended by 100% of reviewers

| Rome, Italy

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3 hours (approx.)

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Overview

Welcome, to the most scandalous, jaw-dropping, and utterly fascinating walking tour you never knew you needed! Forget the dry history lectures—this is a tour about the women who made Renaissance Italy sizzle.

We will dive deep into the world of Renaissance courtesans, scarlet ladies who played a significant role in the politics of Renaissance Europe. Think of them as muses who inspired some of the greatest artists in history. These women weren’t just beautiful; they were resourceful.

You will meet seven unforgettable women, each immortalized in paintings by Caravaggio and Raphael. These weren’t just pretty faces—they were trendsetters, intellectuals, poets, and, in some cases, royal game-changers. Their lives were filled with passion, intrigue, and, of course, a little scandal (okay, a lot of scandal).
Expect stories of dangerous ambition and a society that couldn’t decide whether to adore or condemn these women—so naturally, it did both.
Trust me, history has never been this juicy.

What's Included

Guided tour

Snacks Halfway through of the storytelling walking tour, there is chance to make a stop in a Snack Bar but the cost is not included in the tour

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Palazzo Venezia
Piazza di San Marco, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Piazza Farnese
00186 Roma RM, Italy

The Scarlet Ladies walking tour ends in Piazza Farnese, a very central location adjacent to Campo de' Fiori square and very close to Piazza Navona too. Nearby the ending point of this tour there's a taxi stand, as well as many bus stops.

What To Expect

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

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Villa Doria Pamphilj

We make a stop in the courtyard of the Doria Pamphilj, to talk about our second woman named Anna Bianchini, who modeled many times for a famous italian painter known as Caravaggio.Anna was indeed Caravaggio's first model and also the one who modeled for him most of the times

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Chiesa Di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

We enter a this magnificent church which is full of important and beautiful artworks and tell we tell the story of the most successful courtesan in all of Europe, back in the early XVI Century

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Basilica S. Agostino

Sant'Agostino church is another fantastic site included in this storytelling walking tour. This church is historically related to women, there's so many stories about the women in here and plus, there is the original "Virgin Mary and the Pilgrims" canvas painted by Caravaggio

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Via dei Coronari

On this storytelling walking tour, we walk amongst original XVI and XV century building that back in the day, were owned by Courtesans. This is the Best Way to bing the stories to Life, since we are really able to eye-witness what their daily life was really like

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Campo De' Fiori

Are you a Borgia Family fan? oh well, you will love the story of Vannozza Cattanei, mother of Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. Her story is incredible and usually is people's favorite story in all of the tour.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Piazza Farnese

Here in Piazza Farnese, right by the beautiful Palazzo designed by Michelangelo which is the French Embassy today, the tour ends with the sad story of Giulia Farnese. We don't spoil anything but the finale of the tour is really moving...

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
The itinerary of the tour is 95% accessible to wheelchairs. There's only 2 churches which are hard to get in with a wheelchair but that doesn't manage the content of the tour, since in that case we just tell the story outside of the church
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio’s and Borgia’s women?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-143032P2

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Reviews

5.00

48 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 48 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars

48

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The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio’s and Borgia’s women?

A:

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Apr 2025

Q: What's included in the price?

A:

The following is included:

Guided tour.

The following is NOT included:

Snacks. Halfway through of the storytelling walking tour, there is chance to make a stop in a Snack Bar but the cost is not included in the tour.

Apr 2025

Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?

A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025

Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?

A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025

Q: Is this an accessible tour?

A:

Accessibility information for the Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's women is as follows:

Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Apr 2025

Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?

A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Renaissance Scarlet Ladies Tour: Caravaggio's and Borgia's women will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

Mar 2024