The Colosseum is one of the key icons of Ancient Rome. It was built almost 2000 years ago, and still plays a strong role in Roman life. The Colosseum is beautiful! It looks great from the outside, but to really get the feel about how it used to be, you have to go inside. Consider getting an audio guide - they are packed full with information and take you on a detailed tour at your own pace, and then have a little extra facts if you are interested.

If you go just before closing, even in high season, you will be free to explore on your own terms without the crowds of people pushing you along. It is wonderful! The Colosseum also has awesome views onto the Roman Forum. The trip is great for any age, and the kids will love getting a gladiator playset from one of the nearby shops! Reservations are available online at www.tickitaly.com.

If you are planning your first trip to Rome you are sure to have the Colosseum on you list of "must sees", and you might know to expect queues at the ticket office. You probably also expect to take a walk through the forum, and take in the views from the Palatine Hill. Why not change the order in which you do things and save yourself up to an hour waiting in line?

The ticket you will buy at the Colosseum is also valid for entry to the Palatine archaeological area, hence the joint ticket can be purchased at the entrance to the Palatine as well. Every time I've visited I've seen queues at the entrance to the Colosseum, whilst five minutes walk away you can simply stroll up to the Palatine ticket office. My advice is to buy your ticket there, enjoy the Palatine, and then go back down to the Colosseum where you can walk past the queue and go straight in.

Personally, I'd rather spend the time on the Palatine in any case but that's another matter...

Just opposite the metro entrance it is in a good location for those unable to walk too far. The queues can be daunting and the waiting time can be long with nowhere to sit. A good tip is to walk to the Palatine by the Forum (entrance opposite the Colosseum past the Arch of Constantine)and buy your ticket for the Colosseum and Palatine in the small ticket booth there. When we visited, the Colosseum queue was extremely long but there was no queue at the Palatine ticket booth. Another tip is to visit the Colosseum later in the afternoon (it is open later than the Palatine). The tour groups have mostly left by then and the site is less busy. Save yourself money and don't accept the offer of a tour by a guide that may approach you outside the Colosseum. Instead sit or stand near to a tour group of your nationality and listen in. As long as you are not blatantly obvious about it they don't mind.