You Can Pretend You’re a GLADIATOR While Staying the Night in the Roman Colosseum

As a seasoned traveler with a penchant for the extraordinary, I can hardly contain my excitement about Airbnb’s latest offering – a gladiator training experience within the hallowed grounds of the Colosseum! After years of traipsing through the world’s most iconic landmarks, from Machu Picchu to the Great Wall, this unique opportunity is like a dream come true.


Airbnb unveiled a unique opportunity: booking an after-hours experience within Rome’s iconic Colosseum. That’s correct! 16 fortunate individuals will be granted this exclusive, post-dark exploration of the Roman Colosseum. This special offering is a collaboration with Paramount Pictures for Ridley Scott’s upcoming movie, Gladiator II. The cherry on top? If selected, you can enjoy it free of charge!

The event is called “Prepare for the Glory of ‘Gladiator II'” and it’s organized by Lucius, humorously inspired by Paul Mezcal’s character Lucius Verus from the movie. Contrary to what you might think, this isn’t an Airbnb where you can spend the night within the Colosseum walls. Sleeping there may be disappointing, but consider it: is a good night’s rest more crucial than living out your gladiator dreams? As the description states, “The Colosseum is a battleground, not a bed and breakfast. By imperial decree, no guest is allowed to stay overnight.

During their visit, one will first venture into the Hypogeum – an underground section of the Colosseum – where they’ll be provided with armor, as stated on the website. The armor corresponds to the type of gladiator you’re portraying: murmillo, thraex, provocator, retiarius, or contrarete.

After getting dressed up, guests will observe skilled gladiators engage in combat and learn their strategies, as they are about to participate in battle shortly. However, prior to the fight, they will indulge in a selection similar to a charcuterie board, featuring grapes, pomegranates, almonds, and walnuts. In simpler terms, guests will have the pleasure of feasting on such items before the main event.

Guests, who subsist on scant supplies of fruit and nuts, prepare for gladiatorial battles and compete against one another. The referee, or ‘summa rudis’, will decide your destiny in the end. May you savor the sweetness of triumph, elevating yourself to the ranks of successful gladiators through the ages, as the website announces.

The encounter is associated with Airbnb’s Icons initiative, which debuted in May. Icons represent a variety of unique experiences inspired by fictional locales and real-life personalities. Some past Icons events have been “Enter the X-Men ’97 world” and “Sleep over at the Up residence.

Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s co-founder and CEO, shared that icons serve as gateways to worlds previously confined to your imagination. As our lives grow more digital, he emphasizes their commitment to introducing enchantment into reality. Through Icons, they have crafted extraordinary experiences right here on Earth.

As a gamer, here’s how I might rephrase that: “On November 27th, I can offer you a choice between two exciting three-hour adventures, similar to booking an Airbnb experience. However, before securing your spot, I kindly ask you to share the reason behind your interest. The events will take place on May 7th and 8th, 2025.

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2024-11-14 23:02