Being a history geek I couldn’t wait to visit some of Rome’s most iconic buildings which have been around for almost 2,000 years. When visiting Rome, I knew I really wanted to make the most of my visit and let the remains of one of the greatest civilisations come to life before me. That’s why I decided book onto a tour. I did my research beforehand and stumbled across a company called Sightseeing Tours Italy who had a variety of tours to choose from. Knowing the queues for the colosseum would be ridiculously long I was attracted to this tour company for their inclusion of ‘skip the line’ tickets and local guides. Keen to see this classically Roman monument I booked myself onto their ‘Ancient Rome and Colosseum Tour’. Here’s how I found it…
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
We met our tour guide at the Colosseum metro station 20 minutes prior to our tour start time, this gave us enough time to familiarise ourselves with our surroundings, have a chat with the guide and ask any questions we had about the tour. When it got to 9 AM we were guided inside the Colosseum where our guide proceeded to inform us about the history behind the amphitheatre’s construction and the events that were held there. I found the information really interesting and it definitely helped turn the worn parts of the colosseum into a fascinating historical tale. Going past the queues of people outside also reassured me that I’d made the right choice when it came to getting the tickets I did. It gave me more time and energy to appreciate the site and properly take in what the guide was telling us.
Inside the Colosseum
After our tour of the Colosseum we headed over to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. I felt so small and insignificant as I gazed upwards at the ancient ruins towering over me. The guide explained how this was a special site in the city, as according to myth this is where Ancient Rome was founded. You could almost picture the gathering of processions, criminal trials and gladiatorial matches. What I loved most about this part of the tour is the journey we were taken on as we wandered from one monument to the next, learning a little more with each step we took. Finally, we reached the top of Palatine Hill – the centremost of the Seven Hills of Rome and the spot where Romulus is said to have established the city. Not only a significant historical site, this spot also had lofty views of the surrounding area, where the guide pointed out the Imperial Palace to us, as well as other important buildings.
View of Colosseum and Rome
Overall, I loved this tour! Just 3 hours long, it gave enough time to appreciate all the sites we visited whilst giving me the afternoon to do some more exploring of my own. The guide was welcoming and open to questions making the experience that much more enjoyable. I can’t wait to book with Sightseeing Tours Italy again soon.
Recommended Rome Tours: https://www.romecitytour.it/tours/ancient-rome-colosseum-tour/
That’s all for now,
Alice
This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursitaly.blogspot.com/2019/12/review-ancient-rome-colosseum-tour.html
