Rome -- Depth of tours to Colosseum, Forum, and others? "Fly by" or more detailed?

I was on the Rick Steves' Rome tour in September 2022. I had previously visited Rome for a couple days in 1994.

The tour quality for the Colosseum, Forum, Ostia Antica, Borghese Gallery, Vatican, Trastevere and neighborhood Rome were exceptional: They were very in-depth. We were assigned a guide and had local guide Francesa join us on the Colosseum, Forum and Ostia Antica. Anytime I travel, I read the Rick Steves, Lonely Planet or other guidebook cover to cover. With the two guides in Rome and my preparation, I felt like I had gotten a degree in Roman Studies (if there such a thing).

On my own, I visited the Jewish neighborhood, which was very moving, and visited five ancient Roman churches in central Rome; let me know if you want to know which ones. Also, on my own, I visited ancient Pompeii before the tour started. I took the fast train from Rome to Naples and then the bus 20 minutes from Naples to Pompeii. Thus, I saw two ancient sites: Ostia Antica as part of the tour and Pompeii on my own.

I have a couple book recommendations, one of which is fiction: "Pompeii" by British writer Robert Harris. (Often I find that history sticks with me better via fiction than via dry nonfiction; you'll learn about ancient Roman engineering and the volcano disaster.) Also, if you want to philosophize as you travel, I recommend Seneca's "Dialogues and Essays" or "A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy" by American William B. Irvine. I also recommend "City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction" by David Macaulay, which can be read in probably two days.

Addendum: The tour of the Roman catacombs was also good. I walked the Appian Way on my own, too.

I am not sure if this will still be the case for 2026, but during 2025, Rick Steves tours do not include a visit (and guided tour) of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica or the Colosseum.

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/jubilee-year-rome

The city of Rome and The Vatican are expecting an influx of millions of visitors during the Holy Jubilee Year in 2025. Due to severe overcrowding, long wait times, unexpected closures, and unreliable availability for group reservations, our tours will not visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, or St. Peter's Basilica as a group.

If you would like to see inside the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, we encourage you to make independent arrangements during your free time in Rome (or pre-/post-tour). Please note, a local guide walks each group around the outside of the Colosseum, explaining the significance and engineering of this ancient wonder.

Hi, Mary -- the itinerary does say the tour goes into the Colosseum so maybe thats a change to 2026? It also mentioned a visit 'to' St Peters at the Vatican, but thats all. Not sure if that includes actually going into the building. I knew I'd need my own tour/time for the museums, chapel, etc. Your info is helpful.

telesandtris,
Rick Steves doesn't use the trick wording some other tour companies use, a visit means you go inside.

If the itinerary says you will “visit” a site/museum/church, that means you will go inside and have a guided tour with a local licensed guide. These visits/tours should be fairly in-depth, interesting, and education without feeling like you are being lectured. RS local guides are great!

telesandtris, is your tour the "Best of Rome in 7 days" versus a tour of that includes Rome but goes to other areas too? It can make a difference as far as what you go inside and what you might not. For instance, the 7-day Rome tour states, "...we'll enter inside the larger-than-life Colosseum,..." but the Venice/Florence/Rome tour states, "...we take a walking tour around the outside of the larger-than-life Colosseum..."

Thanks to all - this has been very helpful! Planning this trip is a bit overwhelming at times!