Colosseum Small Group Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Whatever you think you know about the Colosseum goes out the window when you visit on a small group tour with an archaeologist guide. This tour immerses you in the real history of the arena; from the truth of its name to the vicious blood sports that took place inside. There is no more insightful or entertaining way to see the Colosseum.

With a small group of no more than 15 people and an expert local guide who has studied ancient Roman history for years, you'll skip entrance lines that often extend for hours and head right inside the Colosseum.[readmore]As you explore this huge structure, you'll learn all about the reasons it was built and what went on inside. From blood-curdling mass executions to wild and extravagant animal hunts, mock battles, and the rumour that the Colosseum was once flooded to stage a naval battle. The history of this place really is stranger than fiction. Of course, you'll also get to hear all about the gladiator games that were the most famous of the entertainment hosted in the Colosseum. You'll break through myths about who exactly lost their lives here and what gesture was used to order their deaths. 

After an hour exploring on your Colosseum tour, your guide will take you to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to learn what everyday life was like in Ancient Rome. As you traverse the centre of the Ancient Roman world, stones will come to life with stories of political intrigues, crazy emperors, pagan religious practices, and more than a few murder plots. 

At the Roman Forum, you'll see the final resting place of Julius Caesar, the ruins of temples, and the main centres for business and politics in Ancient Rome. The Palatine Hill takes you even further back in time. This is where the she-wolf found Remus and Romulus, where the brothers fought for the right to build a city, and where Rome first grew and prospered. The Forum and Palatine Hill are often overlooked by visitors who have difficulty deciphering ruins on their own. With an expert guide on hand, however, you'll learn why these sites are really far more important (and interesting!) than the Colosseum.