Thanks! I'll look into a guided tour.

If you are pressed for time, I enjoyed the Forum (with a detailed guide book, or even better, a guide) and the Palatine (for a leisurely relaxing visit) more.

AmyP22, The Colosieum wasn't the most popular place for chariot races. Although they did that there, it was built to put on quite a show, including the reenactment of naval battles.

The Circus Maximus was a better venue for chariot races because of the length and width of the track.

It would make your Rome experience much more interesting if you read a little bit about ancient Rome before you went.

Do go inside - it's fascinating. As other posters have said, buy the tickets at The Forum or Palatine Hill and then when you get to the Colosseum you can walk straight to the bag check area. If you need to save some $ and each have an ipod then you can download podcasts form the net for no $ and listen to them as you wander around. We used Rick Steves podcasts (please don't shoot me down everyone!) and it was enough info for us.

the Roma Pass allows you entry and allows you to skip to the head of the long line, like we did, which was GREAT!

you will regret it if you go to rome but do not go in the colliseum, trust me.

Think of the difference between standing outside a museum versus being inside a museum.

Can all of you just meet me in Rome in Sept? :)

I have been to Rome a dozen times since my first visit in 1974 and have visited the Colosseum each trip. My first visit was a rock concert which I will never forget.

For the last two, I booked a private guide (she took us more places than the Colosseum) and she made the entire experience come alive as never before.

Of all the monuments, the Colosseum is my favorite. I often just walk around and imagine how life was like then for the citizens of ancient Rome. It is a place I personally find endlessly fascinating.