Added in 1980 as World Heritage Site of Unesco, the Colosseum is maybe the most iconic monument that you could find in Rome. Symbol of the greatness of the Roman Empire, it has been built during the 1st century in 72 a.c. by the emperor Vespasiano and has been inaugurated by its son Flavio in 80 a.c. A lot of battle and people took place inside this arena that you will . have the chance to visit with your private guide.

At its peak around the second century AD, the Roman Empire spread across more than five million square kilometres. Using modern geography, the empire went from Spain and Morocco in the west to Iran in the east. It went from the United Kingdom in the north to Egypt in the south. Look at a map of Europe and North Africa and then imagine most of it covered by the Romans. Controlling such a huge area was a difficult task and, as historians know, eventually it became too hard and the empire began to break apart. But there were many centuries when the power of the Senate, the Emperor and the associated bureaucracy successfully governed their land from Rome. At the centre of it all was the Roman Forum. The Roman Forum was more than politics, though. It was the teeming heart of the empire and the city. It was where the population gathered to hear orations, take part in processions, watch trials, and vote in elections.

Palatine Hill is not technically a part of the Roman Forum but, from the perspective of a tourist, they are effectively the same site, in that a ticket gives you entry to both and you’ll move between the two without realising exactly where one ends and the other begins. Palatine Hill is the most central of Rome’s seven hills and, in many ways, it was the centre of Rome’s story. The hill is at the core of the myth about the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. And, more tangibly, it was where the emperors built their homes from Augustus in 27 BC. It’s surprisingly peaceful up on the hill and there’s also much more to see than I had expected. The remains of the majestic homes built by emperors are here, as is the enormous hippodrome and stadium. Further around, the baths and aqueduct are impressive even so many years after they were built. There are also gardens that have been well maintained and have great views over the Roman Forum below.