FCO:
The Colosseum's Underground Finally Reveals Its Bloody Secrets

The roar of the crowd is long gone, but the Colosseum's newly restored underground tunnels still echo with ghosts. After a €10 million renovation, the hypogeum - where gladiators and wild animals waited for their deadly debut - has opened sections never before seen by the public.

Walking the newly installed glass walkways, you can practically hear the chains rattling as you pass:

• The "Lion Elevator" shaft where big cats were hoisted to the arena floor
• Graffiti-covered walls with ancient curse tablets against rival gladiators
• The newly discovered "Bookmaker's Booth" where odds were set

The pièce de résistance? A virtual reality headset that transforms the empty corridors into a 360° recreation of preparation day, complete with the smell of sawdust and animal musk (yes, they piped in scents). Local archaeologists warn it's not for the faint-hearted - several visitors have reported feeling phantom lion breaths on their necks.

Step Into the Arena in Style
Skip the lines with PrestigeFly's (www.prestigefly.com) Gladiator Experience package, featuring business class on Delta's Boston-Rome route and a private night tour of the Colosseum with an archaeologist. Bonus: Our clients receive a replica gladiator's oath certificate "signed" by Emperor Titus himself.