The tour is maybe 30 minutes long and our guide shared lots of interesting facts regarding the…read moreconstruction and history of the area. It is not at all like the Paris catacombs, so if you are looking for and expecting that, don't visit. You are also not allowed to take pictures inside as it is active holy ground burial site. These catacombs are out of the way, so you either need to uber/rent a car or join a tour group. We rented a car and drove out to this area; we ended up visiting a few catacombs out in this area.

I had a wonderful experience taking a guided tour here. The guide offered insight about the…read morediscovery of the catacombs and the different shapes of individual tombs. There was also the very unique opportunity to see ancient graffiti in the tombs as well as old paintings of religious scenes. This experience helped me see Rome in a different light.

Beautiful cathedral to see!…read more The catacombs are interesting but as this is till holy ground, the bones have been relocated out of public eye. The tour guide was very informative and friendly. I would recommend it for eduction and history, but not for just seeing bones like the Paris catacombs.

This was a great experience! The Catacombs and crypt were really interesting and the museum was…read morevery informative. Our guide Matteo was awesome!

On my first day in Rome, I was ready to see the sights. Since it was later in the day, I was…read morelooking for something that was quick and still open. Arco di Costantino, or the Arc of Constantine, fit the bill. Located in the same area of Rome as the Colosseum (and the majority of the ancient ruins), the Arc is open 24/7 and it's free. It's an impressive arc. Both in terms of its scale and the intricate design work. Walk around the Arc and marvel at the craftsmanship and the historical stories that are told through it. You might want to do a little research so you understand what you're looking at. Snap a couple of pictures and you're on the way. The Arc lights up at night which makes it a spectacle to see both during the day and when the sun goes down. The Arc of Constantine is not to be missed when visiting Rome!

Like other reviews have mentioned, the Arch of Constantine is the largest triumphal arch in Rome,…read moreand being located adjacent to the Colosseum, you can't miss it. Commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, this arch was dedicated in 315 AD. The background of this confrontation arose out of a power struggle in the western Roman Empire. When Maxentius, who was favored in Rome, tried to claim the role of caesar,* then Constantine--who was son of Constantius, the previous augustus of the western Roman Empire, and favored in the northern regions--sought to defeat Maxentius and stake his own claim to lead as an augustus,* though he eventually settled for caesar later. From what can be considered either sectarian or providential historical accounts, divine providence or superstition was the reason Maxentius chose to leave the safety within Rome's walls and meet Constantine in battle outside the city fortifications. Ultimately when his army tried to retreat across the Milvian Bridge, the already damaged bridge collapsed and Max didn't leave with his life. This battle in 312 AD bore the significance of consolidating rule over Western Europe, and was attributed by Christian scholars as a turning point in Constantine's decision to convert to Christianity (since the emperor attributed the victory to divine intervention), thereby paving the path for this religion's prevalence in Europe and eventually over the rest of the Roman Empire. Getting back to the arch--the scenes on it depict the emperor shown battle and civilian duties, and it's established that the different artistic styles used were due to some sections of carved reliefs being taken from existing monuments of previous rulers. It's not clear whether including other rulers was to legitimize Constantine's position in relation to prior emperors, or if the builders simply used existing stone reliefs to save time. Logistical tips: - there is a fence surrounding the arch on all sides to protect it from the massive flows of tourists in the area. - free to visit. - I wish there was a little more info available on the spot since I had to do some google research to learn about the arch's background *essentially an augustus was the highest ranked ruler of the western or eastern Roman Empire. Under this, a caesar was the second in command, under each of the augusti, in a system named the Tetrarchy, where each half of the empire had a senior and junior leader. This was intended to promote a balance of power though ultimately led to civil unrest where rivals fought to gain control over each other. Bc yeah...people just can't be happy with what they have and always want more...

Ah the Colosseum. An awe-inspiring visit to the world's largest amphitheater! This iconic Roman…read moresymbol vies with the likes of the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter's Basilica for the most-visited tourist destination when visiting Rome.* I'll spare everyone the history which is probably covered in one of many previous reviews and mention some points for visiting this national treasure. Book tickets in advance, most preferably through the Colosseum's website. Don't expect to buy tickets in person at the entry, though I believe you may be able to pick up tickets at the office, and occasionally they may have end of day availability. Unsurprisingly these sell out very quickly so constant checking of their website for availability is needed, and you have to go with whatever time slots are available. Tickets seem to be released one month in advance and sell out almost immediately though when I was checking it was unclear what time of day they are released. If you can't buy tickets via the official website, then third parties also sell tickets though 1) there may be surcharge, 2) may be part of a group or audio tour where reviews range from mixed to excellent. For booking individual tickets on the website with access to the underground or attic, these need to be booked specifically so check what access each ticket provides. Also some access combinations don't include the Colosseum itself, and only the Forum/Palantine Hill, so make sure you choose the right one. Arriving to the Colosseum, there are crowds incessantly lining up for entry on the southwest side, and no organized lines. Everyone basically crowds around the security tent while staff constantly explain to people asking what time slot they are currently permitting entry. For how chaotic this appeared, given four functioning lanes for security, a fair number of people were allowed thru with about a twenty minute wait. It is very IMPORTANT (BOLD CAPS this) to bring an official ID--I saw people being turned away without ID. Inside depending on what access you have you can visit the arena level, upper levels, lower and/or attic. My ticket included the first two areas and they scan the QR/barcode to allow access. Inside this ancient amphitheater the views were grand--even in its current ruined state the vast underground corridors and soaring upper levels are super impressive. 80 arched entryways, a labyrinth of lower level holding cells, pulley systems and trapdoors, even retractable overhead shades, all colossal feats of engineering. You can just begin to imagine how glorious it looked in its heyday; it was mind blowing to me how much labor it must've taken to construct and maintain the series of tiered levels under and overground. Aside from the arena ground level, which is about a fifth covered and open to walking around, the route of tour is in a single direction to help the flow of foot traffic. Technically individual tickets limit visits to 75 or 90 minutes though I didn't see anyone checking. That's a sufficient enough time for visitors to see everything. Since most individual Colosseum tickets include Forum access, most people seemed to head over across the street afterwards. *Though I guess the latter two aren't actually in Italy.

Proud to say my first world wonder was the colosseum in Rome Italy. I had a wonderful guided tour I…read moregot from get your guide and it was incredible learning about the nearly 2,000 year old landmark. I got the upgraded package to visit the arena and it was so unreal being there. It was like stepping into history. The colosseum is a must see in Rome!

This is one of the Major Papal Basilicas in Rome, located a bit farther from the city center…read more English name is The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Accessible via train and Taxi or bus. The train is located about a few minutes walk behind the church. We were able to visit this Basilica 3x. For the Jubilee Year 2025, 2x. This Basilica is very huge and has paintings of all the Popes and the apostles. A must see Basilica! It also houses St. Paul the apostle's tomb where his remains lie. It also has the Holy Chains - in a reliquary, which bound St. Paul. On our 2nd visit to Rome, it was still covid time and this I consider by far probably the less crowded of the Basilicas. They have a museum which you give a donation of 1euro to explore. I also find their gift shop the biggest and have the most choices of religious souvenirs. Their cafe is also loaded with gelato and variety of snack items. Definitely a must see when in Rome. January 2026

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Italian: Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) is…read moredefinitely a must-see if ever in Rome because this basilica is special for so many reasons! My hubby and I visited during our 1st trip to Rome (on September 30, 2023) while celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary (yep, love was in the air! ;) I came across this basilica when researching attractions located near/around the Airbnb that we were staying at in the Ostiense neighborhood and after reading about it, I just had to add it to our Rome itinerary. See the many pics and videos included w/ this review from our visit on 09/30/2023 -- just know that despite my best efforts, they don't fully capture just how beautiful and impressive this basilica is in person. And these pics & videos definitely couldn't capture what I felt when I 1st walked inside and saw the beautiful, gold ceiling that looked like it was glowing! (Brief History) This basilica was built above the tomb of St. Paul in Rome and is one of the 4 major basilicas of Rome. It was consecrated AD 4th century. It's also the 2nd largest church in the Italian capital after St. Peter's. Located inside is the sarcophagus of St. Paul. (Special-ness Specs) -- Gallery of The Popes -- (see the pics & videos included w/ this review) Inside the basilica there are 5 rooms w/ the central one having 80 granite and marble columns and there you will see the portraits of every past pope since St. Peter -- 266 total (awesome display) -- Doors at St. Peter's -- (see pics & videos) 1. The Holy Door - one of the four holy doors is located here, holy doors are only opened every 25 yrs during Jubilee (2025 is the next Jubilee in Rome) 2. The Byzantine Door--the door dates back to the 11th century has 54 panels 3. Outdoor courtyard w/ the beautiful St. Paul monument (Additional helpful info) -- Free to visit but bring some cash so you can leave an offering -- There is a dress code - no knees, stomach, or shoulders can be shown. During our visit there were plastic, disposable shawls at the front door once you entered into the basilica that visitors were asked to use if they were wearing shorts that had their knees showing or if they had on a sleeveless top on. -- not as crowded/busy as St. Peter's basilica so you're able to take your time during your visit Rome has so many beautiful and historic basilica's and during our time in Rome, we did get to experience so many of them and yes, while each of them were special in their own way, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls was my favorite and I'm so very grateful that I was able to experience such historic beauty. Till next time, Rebecca visiting from Austin, Texas (United States) on 09/30/2023

I saw people fishing at the river and also artist painting too…read more Across the bridge, there are retail shops and restaurants. The bridge is close to Piazza Venezia.

After walking around and just taking in all Rome has to offer, my friend and I stumbled upon Ponte…read moreCestio. This walking experience does not disappoint. If you love the architectural structures in Rome, definitely don't miss out this one. It surely isn't crowded with tourists like the Colosseum or Castel Santangelo, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth a visit. Visit at sunset and get ready for a real treat!