Colosseo tickets and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

Since Rome can get very crowded with tourists, it's wise to consider how you should get your tickets to the Colosseum (in order to avoid the long lines). I read in a Rick Steves blog that you can bypass the line at Colosseum if you purchase your tickets at Palatine Hill instead. This worked very well. The only catch is finding the ticket stand at Palatine. From Via dei Fori Imperiali, enter the Forum, turn left away from Campidoglio for a few hundred meters, then turn right towards a little hill. Climb up the starts and once you are at the top of the stairs, you should see a sign saying tickets. There was no line when we went in high season. Alternatively, if you are coming from the Colosseum, if you head west away from the Colosseum, going into the Forum, after going through the arch, go to your left and head up the hill to get tickets.

You can also buy tickets online if you know what time you'll be there.
http://www.pierreci.it

OR

If you buy the Rome Pass, you can simply use that as your ticket.
http://www.romapass.it

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The be honest, the Vatican was weird! Not that we are particularly religious, but the impact of The Holy See did not hit us in that overpowering, epiphany-yielding sort of way one would assume it would. If anything, I felt more skeptical and suspect of this HUGE organisation. That being said, the Vatican is something that must be seen when in Rome. St. Peter's is nothing short of amazing. The work, detail and sheer size of this monument is really something to admire. Between climbing the dome, visiting the tomb of the Popes downstairs or walking around the inside of the basilica, you could easily spend an entire day here.

Costs:
St. Peter's Basilica - Free
Dome of St. Peter's - approx 7EUR
Tomb of Popes - approx 5EUR
**Vatican Museum (incl. Sistine Chapel) - 13EUR

**Please note that the last Sunday of each month is Free at Vatican Museum

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Website: www.vatican.va

If history and ruins are your thing, Ostia is a great alternative to seeing the ruins of Pompeii. It's just 20 miles from Rome and it's better preserved than Pompeii. The town of Ostia Lido is also a good option if you are looking to stay near Rome, but not in the city center. It can be cheaper and it's near the water (so could be nicer in the heat of the summertime). A lot of Romans live here and commute to Rome for work.

The ruins are open seven days a week, from 9am (admission 5 Euro).

Metro Line B to Piramide or Magliana, then take the "Ostia Lido" local train to Ostia Antica. (TIP: Buy a daily ticket EU 4.00 to cover your metro and train rides.)

In high season, a boat goes from city center to the ruins along the Tiber. For information, call 011-39-6-446-3481 or 445-0284.

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Website: http://www.ostia-antica.org/