Episode #235: Visiting the Colosseum – A Slow Travel Guide with LivTours

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Summary

We are joined in this episode, by Angelo Carotenuto, founder of LivTours, who offer amazing small group tours in Rome, of the Colosseum and other fascinating sights around Rome and Italy. LivTours, a family-operated tour company, is all about creating unforgettable journeys. Together on the podcast we discuss everything from navigating the logistical challenges of visiting the ancient Colosseum to the many ways a tour can enhance your visitor experience – with reserved ticketing, storytelling, and exclusive access to restricted areas and times.

Whether you’re a history buff, an independent traveler, or a family with young children, LivTours offers tailored experiences that bring Roman history to life. With intimate group sizes, engaging storytelling, and special family-friendly options featuring fun characters and riddles, there’s something for everyone.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• LivTours started out in Rome and Italy, before expanding across Europe, so they offer special experiences in Rome and to the iconic Colosseum with the benefit of small group sizes (up to 6 people) meaning close engagement with the guide
• With the official ticketing system changing this year to Parco Colosseo (Archeologico Del Colosseo), there has been confusion for visitors. With a designated amount of tickets, opened for purchase at only certain dates/times, there is stress and time consumption for buying tickets, especially for international visitors. For a less stressful and reliable experience, opt for tour operators who are registered partners of Parco Archeologico, like LivTours, to obtain your pre-arranged tickets
• With limited information and signage at the Colosseum, a tour not only provides background and context, but stories and anecdotes to bring the history alive. Learn the secrets and stories of the gladiators, the animals, the spectators as well as the fate-deciding Emporers
• LivTours Colosseum experiences extend beyond the Colosseum itself, with their Last Entry Tour ending with aperitivo on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Roman Forum and Victor Emmanuel monument
• LivTours offer a private family experience – special kid’s Colosseum tour, as well as other fun family tours in Rome
• Untold Italy and LivTours are both keen to encourage slow travel, respect for historical monuments and meaningful engagement with the local culture

Timeline Overview

• 05:18 Visitors and tour operators have had to adjust to the new ticket system, which has brought some advantages to the partner tour providers
• 13:23 Limited signage within the Colosseum makes the crowded visiting experience challenging
• 15:02 A Colosseum visit can provide both a historical and emotive experience
• 24:05 Enjoy your visit to the Colosseum with LivTours tours 
• 25:01 Intimate, passionate tour guides create memorable experiences
• 28:08 A family tour should be fun and educational for the children, as well as a great experience for the whole family

About our guest – Angelo Carotenuto

Follow LivTours here

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

• Domus Aurea – the golden house – Nero’s grand home that has only recently been opened to the public. Complex included the huge Lake of Nero, the 30-meter statue Colossus of Nero
• Palatine Hill – the most ancient of the seven hills of Rome, now an open-air museum
• Roman Forum – rectangular site that is surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient Roman government buildings 
• Victor Emmanuel II Monument – the huge white monument in Rome, known as the wedding cake
• Vatican Museums – a whole complex of museums attached to the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel
• Roman Catacombs – around 40 ancient catacombs, underground burial places in and around the city
• Uffizi – world-renowned gallery home to Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”, statues by Michelangelo and more
• Galleria dell’ Accademia  – gallery in Florence where Michelangelo’s original and magnificent statue of David is displayed
• Doge’s Palace – a palace built in Venetian Gothic style and a landmark of the city of Venice

Words / Concepts

• Parco Colosseo – official site for Colosseum tickets (with a limited number of tickets available 30 days prior to visit)
• Ordinario – basic level ticket
• Caesar – a surname that changed to be a title used by the Roman emperors around AD 68
• Fountain of sweat – the Meta Sudans, a fountain built in ancient Rome between 89 and 96

Related content on Untold Italy

Podcasts

• Ep 214 – Rome’s best kept secrets to explore
• Ep 109 – Women of Ancient Rome and Italy – the untold story

 

• Ep 231 – Roman pizza – What to try and where to taste
• Ep 217 – Must have experiences in Rome
• Ep 201 – Beyond the Colosseum – Hidden secrets of Rome
• Ep 145 – Budget-friendly ways to explore Rome 
• Ep 136 – How to enjoy your time in Rome when it’s super hot 
• Ep 101 – Tales from the Pantheon
• Ep 098 – Vatican museums – tips and highlights for your visit
• Ep 096 – A wander through Trastevere
• Ep 029 – What to eat in Rome
• Ep 027 – How to choose where to stay in Rome
• Ep 017 – 17 Secrets of Rome
• Ep 005 – Getting around with taxis in Rome
• Ep 003 – Highlights of Rome

Articles

• Rome travel guide
• Best Place to Stay in Rome: Districts and Neighborhood Guide
• Best Family friendly hotels in Rome
• 3-day Rome itinerary
• 5-day Rome itinerary
• Rome airport transfers guide
• Rome’s Jubilee year 2025
• Hidden gems in Rome
• Famous Roman dishes to try in Rome
• The most interesting and beautiful fountains in Rome
• How to buy tickets for the Colosseum
• How to buy tickets for the Vatican museums
• Best Vatican tours
• The Pantheon: Facts and History to enliven your visit

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