I'm not sure why it took me so long to visit them, but I'm certainly glad I finally did. These are the places you see in photographs and history books, and standing among them in person gives you a much better appreciation for just how much of ancient Rome is still woven into the modern city.
The Colosseum
The first thing you notice when you arrive is the sheer size of the area surrounding the Colosseum. Even before you enter, there is plenty to see.
There were crowds everywhere during our visit, even though we were there on a weekday. Visitors were taking photographs, tour groups were gathering, and vendors were offering guided tours.
You may also encounter people dressed in Roman costumes offering photographs. If you want a picture with them, be aware that these photographs are generally not free.
Visiting the Colosseum
When we visited in 2016, we had purchased tickets in advance but still faced a considerable wait. While we were standing in line, we were approached about joining a small guided group for an additional fee.
We decided to give it a try.
Our group was made up of English-speaking visitors, and although we didn't completely skip the line, we were able to get inside much sooner than we would have on our own.
Our first guide was fine, but the real surprise came when we moved on to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. We ended up with a wonderful Canadian guide who brought the history of the area to life.
For me, having someone explain what we were actually looking at made a tremendous difference.
Looking at ancient ruins is one thing. Understanding what happened there hundreds or thousands of years ago makes the experience much more meaningful.
Seeing the Colosseum From the Inside
Walking through the Colosseum and looking out through its ancient arches is one of those moments that stays with you.
It is easy to focus on the famous exterior, but once you're inside, you begin to appreciate the incredible scale and engineering of the amphitheater.
Today, visitors have several different ticket options depending on how much of the Colosseum they want to see. Standard admission includes the first and second levels, while special tickets can include areas such as the arena floor, underground levels and upper areas.
If you are interested in seeing more than the standard areas, it is worth checking the official ticket options before your trip rather than trying to arrange something once you arrive.
My Three Traveling Companions
Of course, one of the best parts of traveling is sharing these experiences with the people you're traveling with.
These were my three traveling companions on our 2016 trip to Rome.
Some of my favorite travel photographs aren't necessarily the most beautiful photographs of a destination. They're the ones that remind me who was there with me and what we were doing.
The Roman Forum
After visiting the Colosseum, we continued on to the Roman Forum.
This was the heart of ancient Rome—a place where political, commercial and social life came together.
The Forum can be difficult to appreciate at first glance because so much of what remains consists of ruins, columns and foundations. But once you begin to understand what stood here, the landscape becomes much more fascinating.
Our guide helped us put the ruins into perspective and explained what we were seeing as we walked through the site.
Unfortunately, we arrived later in the day and didn't have nearly as much time as I would have liked to explore the Forum and Palatine Hill.
That is one thing I would definitely do differently if I returned to Rome: allow much more time for this part of the visit.
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill is another important part of the archaeological park and one of the traditional seven hills of Rome.
According to Roman tradition, this is where Romulus founded Rome. Over time, the hill became an exclusive residential area for Rome's wealthy and powerful, including emperors.
Walking among the ruins here gives you a very different perspective than simply standing in front of the Colosseum.
You begin to see how large ancient Rome really was—and how much of the city once existed in this area.
We didn't have enough time to explore everything during our visit, but the views and the history made this one of my favorite parts of the day.
How to Get to the Colosseum
Getting around Rome can feel a little intimidating when you're unfamiliar with the city, but the Colosseum is actually one of the easier major attractions to reach.
The Colosseum has its own Metro stop on Line B, and several bus routes also serve the area. The official archaeological park currently lists the Colosseo Metro stop along with several bus routes and Tram Line 3 as transportation options.
If you're staying somewhere in central Rome, walking is another great option. Rome is one of those cities where the journey between attractions can be just as interesting as the destination.
Buying Colosseum Tickets
Ticketing has changed significantly since our visit.
The official Colosseum Archaeological Park now recommends purchasing tickets through its official ticketing system, and entry to the Colosseum requires a reserved time slot. Tickets currently go on sale 30 days before the date of the visit.
The basic Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine ticket currently provides one entry to the Colosseum and one entry to the archaeological areas of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The standard route includes the first and second levels of the Colosseum.
There are also upgraded experiences available if you want to visit areas such as the arena floor, underground levels or upper sections.
Official Colosseum Archaeological Park — Tickets & Visitor Information
What to Expect During Your Visit
A few things are worth keeping in mind when planning your day.
Expect crowds
The Colosseum is one of the most visited attractions in Rome, so don't expect to have it to yourself.
Wear comfortable shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, and the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill involve uneven surfaces and plenty of walking outdoors.
Bring water
One tip from my original post that I still think is worth keeping: bring a refillable water bottle.
Rome has drinking fountains throughout the city, and staying hydrated is especially important when you're spending several hours walking around archaeological sites in the sun.
Give yourself more time than you think you need.
This is probably my biggest recommendation.
Don't make the mistake we did and arrive late in the day with only a short amount of time remaining.
The Colosseum is impressive, but the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill deserve your time too. If possible, plan several hours for the entire archaeological park rather than treating the Colosseum as a quick stop.
A Few Things I Would Do Differently
I were planning the trip today, here is what I would do:
I would book a timed entrance in advance, choose a tour or audio guide that gives me enough historical context to understand what I'm seeing, and allow considerably more time for the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
I would also try to visit earlier in the day rather than arriving late in the afternoon.
Our visit was wonderful, but we simply didn't have enough time to explore everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment