Thetownend.com

Anybody been? Trying to buy tickets online and it's as clear as mud  :)
Any links, tips, advice welcome  :popcorn:

The Colosseum is amazing from the outside but I was a little disappointed inside if I'm honest. I love Roman history but just feel they could do more with the interactive aspect. Still, quite the sight.

The Forum next door was incredible.

I'm interested in the Romano-British period...

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jul/22/mystery-of-chedworth-1800-year-old-roman-glass-shard-solved

What's the question - "which ticket" or "when to buy"?

The official website is a bit rubbish, they release tickets in blocks a few months before. You need to buy on that day and as early as possible because they get snapped up very quickly.

If it were me I'd make sure to do the 5th tier over the underground tour. I can't get on the official site from work to see the tickets available for some reason.

Also, if you have to meet inside the Collosium (can't remember where official 'tour in English' starts), make sure you get there in plenty of time. There is airport style security, skip the line still has a line - just shorter. If you meet outside then fine.

I don't recall what the official tour includes. Which I suspect was the actual question.

EDIT . Just checked. We ended up using "The Roman Guy" rather than official tour - can't remember if that was because of unavailability of the official tour or whether it didn't do top tier. Was good but pricey.

The official site says adults €12, kids free. It seems you have to use within 48 hours of purchase, but I may be reading that wrong. Anyway, none available. Other sites (and there's a lot!) have them but kids seem to be charged. I'm getting prices for 8 people at around £280  :o
Also, it states that kids tickets are purchased at site rather than in advance, that makes no sense whatsoever.

I agree, the website is shite.  I have no idea on the 48hr thing, normally pre-book is a specific time on a specific day due to visitor number restrictions. Are you sure that's not the price of the 48 hour Roma pass?

When are you going?


£35 a head seems cheap if that's a tour :)

We've got tickets   :toocool:

Nice one

Someone else sorted it and bought from the official site  :-[

When are you going? Couldn't see any availability earlier, I did try and check :)

PS. if you fancy a closer view of the city than St Peters, there is an elevator to the roof of the "wedding cake" building. Its not obvious its there.

edit: apparently its official building name is "Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II"

Some historical sites that I've visited have been quite underwhelming to me (e.g. Machu Picchu) but I thought the Colosseum was amazing.

We also pre-bought tickets to avoid the queues of lemmings. Once inside I would highly recommend the audio tour as it added so much - I really liked the fact that sometimes they used to deliberately flood the arena and put navy battles on in there.

Our ticket included the other areas of the complex, which we did walk around, but I think the best use of time would just be to explore the Colosseum extensively then go for a pizza & Peroni as there wasn't anything else of note for me.

Getting there must be an experience in itself, though?

Ah, the trek there was amazing! 5 days I think. That was part of the underwhelming nature of the end of it seeing the Machu Picchu ruins - it was more or less the same as all the other big sites we had toured on the way, this time set in picture-perfect landscape. That sounds pretty good now actually.

Cheers Batchio, I'll put it on the list  ;)

A word of warning which you may have factored in, Rome is fucking expensive. If your other half is a shopaholic you may wish to hide your credit cards or remortgage your house. The old adage of if you have to ask the price you can’t afford it may come back to haunt you as the shops don’t display prices like we do.

Had a ride in an Rome taxi this afternoon, I sat in the front  :o. Everything they say about Italian drivers is true  :)

At least the Peroni is €1.80 for 660ml bottles  :toocool: :beers:

On the subject of holidays, the current Mrs. LL is angling at an October long weekend away for just the two of us. Not wishing to look a gift orse in he chops any suggestions? Ideally like somewhere warm with things to do and opportunities to veg.

You need to get on the Judith Charmers thread. I can’t be fucked to find it.

Maybe Audrey can put you up?  Greece should still be warm then.

Fuck me yeah, bonza idea.

It's 11pm here and still 26c  :(

Meh!

An allotment in Malaga?

Done that.

The mosquitoes like me, my legs look like I've got chicken pox  :)

Off there on the train tomorrow, will probably take in the Vatican city and work back towards the Colosseum for the 5.30 booking.

St Peter's square is huge

Cheers for the tip batch, the alter of the fatherland building was great. Got the lift to the top and got great views. The building is huge and seems to be all marble. The Colosseum was fascinating,  got some great shots so glad I went. Also went to the piazza del popolo where I got into an argument with a water seller  :)
Saw someone get nicked on the metro too  ;D

Glad you enjoyed it!