A Quick Trip Around Rome Part 1

Travelling with a companion means less time for blogging so a pictorial tour seems the way to go.

Day two in Rome was our day for a tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. I booked the tour with Walks of Italy and everything went smoothly, the group was small, about twenty people, and the tour guide did an excellent job. The weather was quite hot and the terrain on the Palatine Hill far from even, so water was essential and a hiking pole most useful. We could fill our water bottles at various points along the way and the guide waited patiently while we joined the water queue. The tour lasted for around three hours.

The Palatine Hill, one of Rome's seven hills, is believed to have been inhabited since 1000BC and is considered the birthplace of the Italian capital where the mythical Romulus founded the city of Rome. It became home to the upper classes of Roman society and the remains of their palaces can still be seen on the hill and also a pretty rose garden.

Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum, where ancient Romans came together for religious ceremonies and other public events, can be viewed from the top of Palatine Hill. This area was excavated in the 20^th Century revealing wonderfully preserved remnants of the great Roman Empire.

The Roman Forum

The Colosseum is the best-preserved of the ancient Roman ruins and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It really is colossal and to think that it is right there beside the road where the population of Rome drive or walk past it when about their daily business. Quite awe-inspiring. 

The Colosseum was used in Roman times much as we use a football stadium. Around sixty thousand people could watch—not blokes kicking a football around—but gladiators fighting to the death, contests with wild animals and executions of criminals. Famous battles were re-enacted in the vast arena and dramas based on Roman mythology entertained the crowds. 

The Colosseum