I'm going to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in the morning and Colosseum in afternoon but husband can't do all the walking so will meet me in afternoon for Colosseum only. I'll get combo ticket for all 3 but can't find anything anywhere in Rick's book or on Colosseum website about getting a single ticket for husband only for Colosseum. Can anyone help me with this?
Posted by
Boston, MA
1829 posts
When I was there I was under the impression it is all the same ticket, you either go to one or go to 2 or all 3.
The big benefit to buying at Palatine Hill even if not going there is lines there are typically short while lines at the Colosseum for the same ticket are very long.
The forum really does not involve much walking. Palatine Hill does and is much less of a must see in my view than The Forum.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Going to disagree with mreynolds, insofar as how much is a lot of walking. If you get off the main road in the Forum, you can rack up quite a few steps. Terrain is uneven, so lots of stops to look around.
I love the Palatine, and it is easier to avoid entrance crowds there.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
3849 posts
I also read the Forum has a guided tour at 1:00 each day. Is this worth taking? Are there guided tours of palatine hill.
Posted by
Boston, MA
1829 posts
Rick Steves has a great free Audio Tour you can download for The Forum as well as the Colleseum.
For the Forum especially were most everything is unmarked and you don't really know what you are looking at the audio little guide he provides was invaluable. I felt with the audio tours downloaded, which were free a guided tour for both was not needed.
His Forum audio tour really brings the place to life and I not just saying this because it is on his forum, I recommend them to friends and family often!
I don't think he has one for the Palatine Hill and from what I recall it is quite spread out, you get a map when you buy your ticket.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15813 posts
When I was there I was under the impression it is all the same ticket,
you either go to one or go to 2 or all 3.
Yesiree. One ticket covers the Colosseum (underground and other guided tours are extra), Palatine and Forum: there are no single tickets for each of them individually. The ticket is good for two consecutive days until the end of the year purchased so if you can't manage all 3 at one time, you can do the Colosseum one day, and Palatine/Forum the next, or vice versa. You just have to do the Palatine and Forum at the same time - if you choose to do both - as they're connected.
See the website:
http://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm
I'm not seeing anything about free tours of the Forum, or even escorted tours for individuals available for either Forum/Palatine through the website. They do offer audio and video-guide rentals:
http://www.coopculture.it/en/heritage.cfm?id=4
Of course guide services can be hired from any number of companies, or use the RS audio for the Forum as mreynolds suggested.
We personally enjoyed the Palatine very much so I would try to do it if at all possible!
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
362 posts
All was good, bought 2 combo tix, hubby did one site. I did all three then went to nearby San Pietro in Vincoli. Moses is a bit obscured with scaffolding so don't be disappointed if you're going there any time soon. About the walking, Zoe is right, lots of walking for both Foro and Palatino. About getting a private guide or going with a tour group, I can't see any reason to do this for any of the three sites. They will really slow you down. If you take RS pages about the sites and audio tours (I never leave home without either) you won't need anything else for these 3 sights. Especially for Foro and Colosseo where walking paths are not that wide and are crowded, an extra person or 15 to 20 extra people will just be an annoyance to other visitors. Palatino has lots of wide open space except Farnese garden paths, maybe one reason Zoe likes it so much.