Meet your guide near the formidable hulk of the Colosseum, the gigantic arena that drew Romans of all walks of life to watch violent fights between gladiators and beasts. Bypass the crowds and head straight inside, entering the Colosseum through a special gate once used by gladiators themselves. Walk right onto the arena floor—an area not usually accessible to the public—and learn about the harrowing events that took place here for entertainment's sake centuries ago. 9 AM tour only: Join a small group of maximum eight guests for an intimate and personalized journey through history.

Next, you're off to explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. You'll get ahead of the crowds at this collection of ruins as your guide rebuilds ancient Rome from the ground up through captivating stories. Hear tales of war, politics, and betrayal, and get introduced to some of the ancient world's larger-than-life characters as you roam around the markets, roads, and temples where the empire's citizens once lived, played, and prayed. If you choose the 3:30 pm tour when booking, your Palatine Hill and Roman Forum tour (which will take place before your Colosseum visit) includes access to the SUPER Sites. Normally off-limits to visitors with standard access tickets, these are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful ancient ruins in all of Rome. One highlight is the Casa di Augusto, the house of Caesar Augustus, with vibrant frescoes that rival those in Pompeii.