A little warning for those planning a trip to Rome! Booking tours through third-party platforms like Viator can be a real gamble, especially when it comes to the Colosseum. Our experience was a whirlwind of last-minute cancellations, pending confirmations, and a frantic search for tickets. We were left feeling stressed, frustrated, and utterly unprepared for this chaotic journey.
The Cancellations Cascade: A Tale of Mishaps and Miscommunications
We planned a Colosseum and Forum tour with Viator a couple of months ahead of our trip to Rome. Everything seemed good to go until, just three days before the tour, we received a cancellation notice. We immediately scrambled to book another tour on Viator, only to be met with a “Pending Confirmation” message. Viator explained that the tour operator had 48 hours to confirm the booking. We contacted the tour operator directly, but they never responded. Viator’s customer service wasn’t much help either, saying they couldn’t reach the operator and the confirmation was still in their hands.
As the 48-hour deadline approached, and we were just 18 hours away from the scheduled tour, we realized we were in a tight spot. To avoid being left stranded, we booked a third tour, hoping for the best. However, just a few hours later, it was cancelled due to overbooking. To make matters worse, the second tour we had booked also received a cancellation notice. We were now on tour number four, less than 16 hours before the start time, and it was still “Pending Confirmation.”
This constant back-and-forth was incredibly stressful. We were desperate for a solution and felt like we were being tossed around by a whirlwind of cancellations. It seemed like we were caught in a game of tour roulette.
The Rescue: Tour-in-the-City and a Serendipitous Solution
Desperate for a tour, we decided to take a chance and show up at the meeting point. We were armed with the tour operator’s name from our Viator confirmation, as the Viator app didn’t include this crucial information. We presented our booking reference number, but our names weren’t on the list. We waited anxiously, wondering if we would be left out again. Just as we were about to give up, we received an email from the tour operator saying that this tour had been cancelled! But we kept our cool and continued to present our booking confirmation to the tour guide.
We waited until the tour guide was able to confirm who was on the tour and who wasn’t. We finally had a chance to explain our predicament. “We’re here, we want to pay, and you have spots,” we said. The tour guide was understanding and suggested we buy tickets directly from him. We were relieved, paid with GooglePay, and joined the tour.
It turned out to be the best decision we could have made. The tour guide, Andrea, from Tour-in-the-City, was incredible! His knowledge and passion for history were contagious, making the tour an unforgettable experience. It was by far the best tour we’ve had in our entire European trip!
Lessons Learned: Booking Directly and Avoiding the “Tour Lottery”
This experience taught us a valuable lesson: it’s best to avoid third-party booking platforms when it comes to the Colosseum. Our nightmare was likely caused by overbooking, miscommunication, and the unpredictability of tour operators using third-party platforms. We also realized that these tour operators often try to secure tickets from the official Colosseum site, which is often sold out, resulting in cancellations. It’s a high-stakes game, and we’re not surprised that cancellations are common.
The Forum Pass Super Ticket, which includes everything except the Colosseum, can be purchased directly from the Colosseum’s website: https://colosseo.it/en/tickets/forum-pass-super-ticket/. It’s the Colosseum tickets that are particularly hard to get, leading to tour cancellations. For those who want to see the Colosseum, we strongly recommend booking directly with a reputable tour company like Tour-in-the-City. This way, you can avoid the stress and uncertainty of third-party platforms and ensure a smoother experience.
Also, remember to book the Early Morning Tour whenever possible. The Italian heat can be intense, even in October, and there are not many trees for shade.
This experience was a true rollercoaster ride, but it also gave us some valuable advice for future travelers. Don’t let the chaos of booking Colosseum tours get you down! With a little research and a direct booking, you can have a truly amazing experience exploring this iconic landmark. And while you’re in Rome, don’t forget to try a Segway tour, which is a fun and exciting way to see the city!
