Joy of Rome

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LIVE TOURS
KIDS AND FAMILIES’ TOURS
BREAD and CIRCUS: SPORT and FUN in Ancient Rome

LIVE TOURSKIDS AND FAMILIES’ TOURSBREAD and CIRCUS: SPORT and FUN in Ancient Rome

Bread and Circus: SPORT and FUN in ANCIENT ROME

Skip the line and discover the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus! Gladiators, animals fights and chariot races. Learn about the sports of the past!

bread and circus sport and fun in ancient rome

GOOD TO KNOW

THIS TOUR INCLUDES:

  • Colosseum (Skip the line)
  • Arch of Constantine
  • Circus maximus

NOTES:

Tickets Price:
adults 18€ + 5€ circus Maximus.
Children: 6€ (2€ Colosseum reservation fee + 4 € circus Maximus).

Colosseum and Circus Maximus: Tour of the Shows in Ancient Rome

Stadiums, matches, referees, factions and teams, are we cruising the sport channels? No! we are talking about the most famous spectacles of ancient Rome!
Romans were fond (as much as today) of sports and competitions … let’s discover it together in an archaeological journey that will engage the whole family!

THE COLOSSEUM AND THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS: Let’s visit the most imposing “stadium” of antiquity with an expert  super entertaining guide!

A surprising walking tour, led by an expert licensed guide to discover the Roman love for sports and races: 

We will  learn about the shows held in the Colosseum and about another sort of competition that Romans loved: the CHARIOT RACES held in the magnificent CIRCUS MAXIMUS, recently excavated and re-opened to the public!

How does the tour work?

COLOSSEUM FIRST!
We will skip the line and visit this magnificent stadium, a masterpieces of Roman architecture and the best loved place in the whole city!
You will learn all about the amazing shows held there: animal fights and hunts, bloodthirsty executions and gladiatorial combat, naval battles and re-enacted myths, all this put on in front of spoiled crowds. 

Your knowledgeable guide will let you relive the screaming, the betting and the fighting! imagine the crowded seats, the colored flags, merchandising and passion…

It will be fun to step into the life of sporting heroes from the past and realize that…nothing has changed!

CIRCUS MAXIMUS is our next stop!

Just a 5 minute walk we will reach the remnants of that magnificent ARENA! RE-OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AFTER LONG EXCAVATIONS that have brought to light its magnificent original structures! You will have the opportunity to admire the remains of  galleries, seats, shops and a roman street too!

Before the Colosseum was built the heart of the Romans all went to the chariot races held in the Circus Maximus: a massive arena that could accommodate up to 250,000 spectators in one sitting… 5 times the number that could be contained in the Colosseum!

It is believed that Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth Roman king, built Circus Maximus in late 7th century BC at the bottom of the Palatine hill, where the Imperial Palace was. This was the largest stadium in the Roman Empire and a model for other stadiums across the Empire.

Romans (much as they do today) loved racing anything… so of course they loved chariot races! Here 4 teams of charioteers were competing on the field and 4 factions of supporters fought against each other on the stalls.

Corrupted referees, dangerous races, mortal accidents were Roman’s bread and butter! Hot dogs, Bets, dolphins, and eggs to count the laps and much more will revive under your eyes in this charming tour of the shows in Ancient Rome!

Roman emperors used to offer these free shows at circuses and amphitheaters.
It was a good way to make themselves popular and… to avoid being murdered!

This walking tour is perfect for the whole family: kids fond of sport and husbands missing their hometown team!

Through the passion for sport you will be captured by the ancient world, this will be engaging and fun, and you will visit some of the most beautiful monuments of Rome and learn their charming history!

Match your passion for sport with ancient history and let us take you back in time!… Ancient Rome has never been so modern!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Your guide is LICENSED and specialized in Roman ancient History
  • TICKETS: the cost of the entry tickets in NOT included in the guide’s fees.
  • Buy your tickets and save your money!
    The online procedure is very easy! We will send you the instructions to purchase your tickets on-line.
    Once received the deposit we will send you the simple instructions to purchase your admission tickets ON-LINE.
  • Colosseum ticket cost: adults 18€
    Kids 2€ (reservation fee).
    Circus Maximus ticket cost: adult: 5€; Kids: 4€.

TOURS & PRICES

We run only private tours.

We don't run small groups.

We can accommodate time/day request according to our guides' and entry tickets availability.

Final and detailed price will be provided after receiving your request from the contact form.

Starting price for a private tour (2.5 hrs) during the high season (March/Oct) for 2/4 people is 350 euros + tickets (check under "tickets price").

Starting price can be reduced during low season or increased during holidays or last minute requests.

For group larger than four, price will be provided upon request.

ASK for availability

People say about us…

  • star rating  What a wonderful experience led by our tour guide, Marta! Our children ages 7 and 5 really absorbed the stories and enjoyed their scavenger huntlooking for specific objects. ... read more

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    February 5, 2023

    star rating  This was our third tour with Joy of Rome and second with Francesca. She has a gift for bringing the stories behind the artworks to life and sharing her enthusiasm.... read more

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    January 13, 2023

    star rating  Our guide Francesca was fantastic! As an art historian and curator of street art, she really made the subject com alive. I strongly recommend this activity for anyone interested in... read more

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    December 30, 2022
  • star rating  My husband and I booked Joy of Rome two days in a row. Once for the Ancient Rome tour and the other for Vatican + Sistine Chapel.

    First... read more

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    December 18, 2022

    star rating  A must-go for kids - We did 2 tours with Serena on the same day for our family of 4( 6y and 8y old boys) , visiting Colosseum in the morning and Vatican in the... read more

    Gary H
    December 15, 2022

    star rating  Francesca‘s narrative is always the best. She is our joy of Rome. No one brings Rome to life better.

    Y4500ESveronicab
    October 18, 2022
  • star rating  This was the highlight of Rome for us. Francesca is amazing! Her knowledge and passion came through the entire day! I loved this experience and would highly recommend... read more

    Kelley S
    October 5, 2022

    star rating  We loved this tour! Their guide was wonderful and the tour at night was magical! We got so much more out of the experience this way and thoroughly enjoyed our... read more

    EmeraldCityEvan
    October 2, 2022

    star rating  "On the trail of Carravaggio" was a splendid way to experience a quieter corner of Rome led by an excellent guide and to see some beautiful works of art in... read more

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    September 24, 2022
  • star rating  We met Nicole at the Chiesa Nuova and she gave us a fascinating walking tour through the banking centre of late medieval Rome, Via Giulia and over the Ponte Sisto... read more

    Moominskaya
    September 24, 2022

    star rating  A wonderful tour of Villa Farnesina and Trastavere!

    Serena was a 5 Star guide! She was professional and knowledgeable and tailored her commentary to our needs. Her words... read more

    ssgjgg
    September 9, 2022

    star rating  Loved this tour! Maria was AMAZING with my two boys (5.5 and 8 yrs) while touring the Colosseum in August. They are both shy, she was caring and kept them... read more

    Y8968CVheatherl
    September 4, 2022
  • star rating  Arianna showed my wife, our six year old son and I around the Colessuem. We all loved it. Very engaging, very informative and very friendly. Removed all... read more

    danmI9575KA
    August 29, 2022

    star rating  We did four tours with Grace and found her to be extremely knowledgeable, speaking at length about the history, culture and traditions of the artifacts we saw. She answered all... read more

    elinan897
    August 17, 2022

    star rating  Took four tours with Joy of Rome and Francesca and Grace were a true Joy! We did the Vatican, catacombs, pantheon and colosseum. Highly recommend! Thanks so much ladies.

    KRMackey
    August 14, 2022
  • star rating  Francesca was a great guide. She engaged with my 8 yo and had lots of interesting details to share. Definitely a must do tour in Rome.

    experiencejunkie
    July 28, 2022

    star rating  Great tour with not just historical facts but plenty of anecdotes that kept the teenagers attentive the whole time. Massimo was just fantastic. Period.

    attobc
    July 28, 2022

    star rating  My teen daughter and I had a private tour of both the colosseum and the Vatican on 2 separate days.
    Our tour guide was Sarena. This was an... read more

    S B
    July 19, 2022
  • star rating  Great service .. our guide Salvatore was very informative and patient.
    Would highly recommend this company and your .
    Did t feel rushed and got a good idea of the... read more

    varshak777
    July 16, 2022

    star rating  Francesca was a terrific guide to the Colosseum and ancient Rome, and she kept our boys (aged 11 and 16) engaged and interested, even though it was a rather warm... read more

    Q7554QNdavidt
    July 13, 2022

    star rating  Our Joy of Rome tour was our favorite tour we did in Rome. Serena was our guide and not only was she informative, but kind and accommodating. She was excited... read more

    Torivjs
    July 9, 2022
  • star rating  Thanks to Francesca, our Colosseum tour was the highlight of our Rome trip. She kept our young boys (6 and 8) engaged and focused. The Colosseum is a huge place... read more

    jtcraze
    June 2, 2022

    star rating  Francesca was extremely knowledgeable. She has great enthusiasm for the art, artists, the gallery and helping us learn. She answered our questions and welcomed them. It deepened... read more

    KAQComo
    May 29, 2022

    star rating  We had a private Vatican Tour on a Friday night with Serena. It was incredible! Serena was so engaging and knowledgeable. Her enthusiasm was contagious. ... read more

    bhamwanative
    May 20, 2022
  • star rating  Joy of Rome is a sheer delight! We went on 4 tours with them and all were supremely fantastic! The wonderful Serena took us on The Highlights of Rome walking... read more

    J8066MYricharde
    May 10, 2022

    star rating  Arianna opened our eyes to marvels that we would have never known without her guiding us through this extraordinary museum. We loved her enthusiasm, knowledge and great ability to... read more

    Travel404746
    May 9, 2022

    star rating  I would highly recommend Joy of Rome. The whole experience from booking the tickets by email to being guided to the meeting point to the tour itself was faultless.
    I... read more

    elisabethpW177GN
    April 10, 2022
  • star rating  the thing i liked the most about the tour was that Grace our tour guide was an expert in the field and showed how professional she was by her excellent... read more

    Carlaandstelios
    March 14, 2022

    star rating  We were looking for an engaging, informative tour of the Colosseum for our kids (and us!) and Serena was the perfect solution. She brought the experience to life through storytelling... read more

    P7605RV
    February 20, 2022

    star rating  SUPERLY AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEIR TOURS!!!
    We followed 2 tours (becoz 1 is definitely not enough), separately with Serena for Caravaggio theme and Massimo for Dark Ladies theme. To say... read more

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Virtual Tour available!

The Colosseum, the largest stadium of the roman empire and a virtual tour to go through the story of the shows held in there! We will be in our apartment in Rome, you’ll be at home or were you prefer but we will both BE in the streets using google earth! In 1 hour we will cover all the secrets of the mighty amphitheatre: tigers, lions, gladiators, blood and death sentences. Slaves, entertainment and unbelivable reconstructions: it will be like being there! Prepare your glass of wine (or coffee mug) and enjoy the story interacting with your live guide!