Archeoboat connects Rome to ancient Fiumicino port at weekends until 30 October.

A new tourist service called Archeoboat provides boat trips along Rome's Tiber, connecting the city with the ancient Roman harbour near the coastal town of Fiumicino, every weekend until 30 October.

The boat leaves every Saturday and Sunday at 09.30 from the pier below Rome's Ponte Marconi, and takes about two hours to reach Portus, the man-made hexagonal lake that was once the great maritime port of imperial Rome and centre of the empire's trading economy.

Normally closed to the public, except for pre-booked school tours at select times, the ancient port now offers workshops and tours dedicated to children and their families each Saturday and Sunday, from 11.00-18.00 until 30 October.

The boat trip itinenary also includes time for lunch in Fiumicino as well as a special ecological tour of the river, before departing again for the capital either at 16.30 from Fiumicino or 16.45 from Portus, arriving back at Ponte Marconi in Rome at 18.30.

The boat tours are designed to promote the rich heritage of the Fiumicino area, and are promoted by the local town council with the support of Rome's archaeological superintendency.

The initiative is also backed by authorities at the nearby Leonardo da Vinci airport which provides a free shuttle service to and from Portus during opening hours.

For more information see Muoversi a Roma website while for full details of boat trip options, and their prices, see Gite sul Tevere website.

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