Europe's oldest tourist trap is offering a brand new spin: visitors to the Colosseum can now visit the ancient amphitheatre at night. Rome officials are hoping the prospect of nighttime visits will reel in an extra load of tourists to the city this summer and maybe thin out those dreaded daytime crowds a bit as well.

Usually, The Colosseum closes one hour before sunset, but starting this week visitors will get a few extra hours of pondering gladiator games—and the chance to view the night sky from inside the monument. Sounds like a great idea to us, especially if the haunting arena looks half as cool inside at night as it does lit up from the exterior.

Also new on the Eternal City itinerary this summer are two ancient attractions: the recently restored Temple of Romulus and the 2nd-century B.C. House of the Griffins, both now open to the public for the first time.

Related Stories:
· Nighttime Colosseum tours now offered in Rome [AP]
· When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do: Avoid Tourists [Jaunted]
· Rome travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: lightmatter] ]]> BS 2009-06-22T09:32:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/12/12144/4556

Is there really no place like Rome? This week Ellen Wernecke chronicles her first visit to the Eternal City.

First, the bad news: Despite everything you've heard and read about the downturn, you won't be able to tell from the tourism traffic in and around Rome. Those dreaming of empty museums and quiet time alone with the ruins would be best to look elsewhere, possibly in an alternate universe. At the same time, I never ran afoul of a large, obnoxious group of my countrymen, and while numerous, Italian school groups didn't bother me as much.

Visiting Rome is a balancing act between the impersonal but unmissable major sites and a more personal experience. Here's when to keep to the beaten path and when to wander away: ]]> egw 2009-05-12T13:26:53-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/