Rome IS ruins. Lots of them!
Our goal in the "Ancient City" walking tour is to transform mind-boggling amounts of history into meaningful and often funny stories for the folks who visit our fabulous capital. We have 3,000 years of ghosts traipsing around here, and they will come back to vivid life when you tour with me and my team. The heart of the tour is the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Capitol Hill and/or Palatine Hill.
As you stroll past myriad ruins, we will regale you with tales of gods and mortals, both mighty and meek, and the world they inhabited oh so long ago. Romulus and Remus, the Vestal Virgins, Spartacus, Cicero, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Marc Anthony, Augustus, Jesus, Peter and Paul, Nero, Constantine - who WERE these people, and what exactly did they DO that etched their names in history - and our minds - forever?
From primitive backwaters to magnificent riches and achievement and then back to nothing again, the good, the bad, and the ugly, the context, motivations and consequences - it’s all here for you to experience and enjoy in a way not possible without a guide.
Recommended length 3-5 hours. All (slow and steady) walking unless otherwise requested. Of course the tickets are “skip the line” though everyone must pass through security. With a licensed guide and advance tix, you will be in the shortest security line (way shorter than with the Viator-type groups who hawk “skip the line” all the time!)
There are numerous types of tickets. Underground is the most coveted and licensed guides have special tix put aside for their use. There are also attic tix if you don’t mind the climb, arena floor tix and regular tix. Tickets go on sale 30 days in advance and sell out extremely quickly. If you book enough in advance we can try to grab the VIP tickets enumerated above.
Book in advance! Don’t wait! NOTE: tickets are NOT available in any way shape or form prior to 30 days. If someone is selling underground (for example) tix more than 30 days in advance, they hope to get your money and will almost surely retract later. I am not a hype-y salesperson. I don’t make promises I can‘t keep. :-)
In 2024 the Colosseum hosted night events only on Thursday night. Not sure about 2025 yet.
If addition to the Colosseum, tours include the Roman Forum - center of religion, law, politics and commerce for 1000 years, and if the climb is not intimidating, the Palatine Hill - legendary home to the founders of Rome, the Emperors and many VIPs through the ages.
Longer alternate “Ancient Rome” tours could include the Capitoline or National Museums (a great escape from the hot sun!), Circus Maximus (of chariot racing fame), the Imperial Forums, Ara Pacis, Pantheon, Temples of Hercules and Portuna, Largo Argentina, Piazza Navona etc. Other neat ancient sites outside of Rome are Ostia Antica and Hadrian’s Villa (or further afield, Pompeii).
NOTE: The Pantheon is not near the Colosseum and so we usually include it on the Heart of Rome tour, but in a pinch we can add it to this one.
Bring good walking shoes, and in the summer, water bottle, sunglasses, hat or visor - we do our best to find shade, but there is very little!
No question is a “dumb” question - If you saw Gladiator or Gladiator II and you have questions, we got answers! I love historical fiction, of course it is part fiction, but I am happy when pop culture sparks interest in history so bring on the questions!
Other fun stuff: Rome hosts some virtual reality events - in the day - Domus Aurea, Palazzo Valentini and a great free film at the Chamber of Commerce. And in summer nights - there are group tours of the Forums of Augustus and Caesar. These are group tours (only) for which you do not need a private guide.
Email: Info@RomanHolidayTours.com. Italian cell: +39-347-076-2480. Skype: LauraWeinstein.
During the COVID19 crisis I conducted live lectures from Rome! Now we are back to live tours but private lectures are still available, as recordings or as custom Zoom lectures to book for your friends, family, culture club, church, synagogue, museum or University. You also might find it helpful to “rent” one (or some!) to watch before your trip.
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