�All road lead to Rome�- you therefore can�t ignore including it in the list of your favorite tourist destinations.
Rome is the capital city of Italy but apart from its political significance Rome is also a famous tourist destination. Every year thousands of tourists visit Rome to soak into its culture, lifestyle and traditions. Rome is also considered as the city of romance and hence, it also receives a great volume of honeymooners and lovers. Moreover, there are arts enthusiasts, who visit its museums that contain the works of the famous painters and sculptures; history enthusiasts, who visit its many historical ruins and monuments; and simple vacationers, who just want to spend a good time under the Mediterranean sky; as well as shoppers, who visit the many shops, shopping malls and stores of Rome.
Searches therefore on Rome travel guide is very high. Enthusiastic tourists want to know how they can enjoy their Roman holidays the best. If you too want to plan your next vacation in this magnificent city here is an exhaustive Rome travel guide for you. �
As it is said
�When in Rome, do as Romans do� we have therefore brought to you the travel guide of Rome which will help you become a Roman easily while in the city.
History of Rome
History of a place will help you understand it better and hence it is important that you make yourself aware of the history of that place before you visit there. Rome has a very long and rich history and you can�t ignore its past when in the city.
In Rome you can still find historical evidences of its glorious past. There are historical ruins, monuments, architectures, building, bridges, paintings, arts, sculptures, and so on and so forth. In Rome, history blended with modernity and hence it is a modern city with historical significance.
Rome is an ancient city. In fact, it is one of the first places where human civilization flourished. Rome is said to have been build by the Roman tribe in 753 B.C. However, an alternative theory fixes the probable date to 625 B.C. as well. It is where democracy first evolved. The word �republic� itself has come from the Latin word �res publica�. During the time of the Roman Emperors, Rome remained the capital city of the Empire as well as the political and economic nerve centre of the entire region. Rome flourished during this period to become one of the most influential civilizations of the world. Ruins of the glorious past of Rome can still be seen scattered around the city.
Geography of Rome
Rome is located in the central-western part of the Italian Peninsula. The relief of Rome in dotted with hills and rivers. Rome is called the city of �seven hills� because it is surrounded by 07 hills namely-Viminal, Quirinal, Palatine, Esquiline, Capitoline, Caelian, and Aventine. The river Tiber, which has started from the Apennine Mountain and ended in Tyrrhenian Sea, has passed through Rome in its course. Tiber has a significant role to play in shaping the history of Rome.
Modern Rome has a stretch 1, 285 ki2 and is the largest and the most populated city of Italy today.
Weather of Rome
The weather of Rome stays mild and pleasant through out the year and therefore receives tourists year round. However, like most of the western European countries the spring and the autumn are the best seasons to visit Rome.
The summer in Rome is hot and humid while the winter is mild. There is hardly a snowfall in Rome during winter.
Most of the citizens go for a vacation during August which is also the hottest month of the year in Rome.
Traveling to Rome
Rome is well connected with the rest of the world through its many air routes, water routes and road routes.
By air
Almost all the major international airlines have regular flights to Rome. Hence, you may not find it difficult to find an air route to Rome that will suit you the best. Ciampino and Fiumicino are the two airports that are situated at the outskirt of Rome. Both of them are international airports and are well linked to the city and its surroundings through busses and tubes. Hence, you can easily find a convenient mode of transport to the city from these airports.
By train
Termini central railway station is the major rail station of Italy. Almost all the trains from Italy and abroad leave and arrive at Termini. If you are traveling from northern Italy, the fastest route to reach Rome is by Eurostar trains. It will take you 4 hrs and 30 mins to reach Rome on a Eurostar.
There are convenient bus routes as well as tube routes available from Termini central railway station that will take you to various parts of the city.
By road
Rome has very good road system and is connected with the rest of the continent through bus routes. Hence, you can travel by bus from any part of Europe to Rome. However, most of the long distance buses will not enter the city but will end their journey outside underground stations of Tiburtina and EUR Fermi.
Roma Pass
If you are going to stay in Rome for more than 3 days consider yourself buying Roma Pass, which will cost you �25. The pass will allow you to visit the first two museums and/or archaeological sites for free. Further, you can enjoy full access to the public transport, reduced ticket rates and discounts on other museums, sites of interest, exhibitions, operas, theaters and performances.
Places to visit in Rome
Rome has an unending list of places to visit. The historical centre of the city is quite small and can be managed by walking. Also, walking is the best way to explore the different places. Hence, pack your comfortable shoes in luggage if you are going to Rome.
Colosseum
The famous saying about Colosseum is �When the Colosseum falls, Rome will fall. And when Rome�falls, the world will end.� The Colosseum is the most extraordinary one amongst the historical places of Rome. It is in this place where the Roman senate used to hold its forums as well as the gladiators met on mortal combats. By its size and architecture, Colosseum is one of the most extraordinary edifices of the past.
Pantheon
The ruin of Pantheon reminds us of the pagan past of the people of Rome. This roman temple is now standing for over 2000 years. Visiting the Pantheon is therefore like revisiting the history.
Trevi Fountain
It is the largest of the fountains of Rome. The centre piece statue depicts Neptune�s chariot being led by the Tritons and sea horses. This is also a famous spot for hangouts.
Vatican Museums
Visiting Rome would be incomplete without a visit to the Vatican Museums. Rome has always played a significant role in the history of Christianity and it can also be called as the capital of the Catholic world. The museums, therefore, make a natural entry in the list of must visit places.
The museums were founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century and later enlarged by the successive Popes.
St Peter�s Basilica
Italy said to have the most number of catholic churches per capita than any other country in the world and in the Holy city of Vatican, St. Peter�s Basilica outdazzles them all. It is an impressive looking architecture. In a busy day over 2000 visitors visit St Peter�s Basilica. However, you must remember to dress properly while visiting the church. Short skirts, shorts, bare shoulders are strict no-nos.
Roman cuisine and traditions
When in Rome you can�t miss indulging yourself in sumptuous Italian cuisine. Italian foods are famous worldwide for their flavors and tastes. Following is a list of appetizers and cuisines that you can�t miss enjoying in Rome.
Appetizers
- Bruschetta
- Filetti di baccala�
- Fiori di zucca fritti
- Suppli�
- Antipasto misto
Pasta
Italian cuisine is full of different pasta dishes. These are easy to cook as well as healthy. Pastas of different shapes and sizes are available in Italy and also cooked in various ways.
Pastas are partially boiled and then flavored with different spices. Some of the must try pasta dishes are,
- Spaghetti cacio e pepe
- Spaghetti alla carbonara
- Spaghetti aglio, olio, peperoncino
- Bucatini alla
- Gnocchi alla
- Cannelloni
- Penne all�arrabbiata
- Rigatoni con la pajata
Apart from pastas and pizzas, Italians also enjoy a variety of seafood, meats and salads. Hence, when you are in Rome indulge yourself in gourmet seafood and meat dishes. Cozze Alla Marinara is a popular seafood dish which involves sauteed mussels.
Shopping in Rome
The Rome travel guide will be incomplete without mentioning its many shopping destinations. Shopping in Rome can be an extraordinary affair. The roads of Rome are laced with shops from all leading brands. Italy is also a major world fashion destination and hence all the leading fashion lines have their exclusive stores at Rome. Further, you can also shop here for apparels, fashion accessories, gift items, chocolate and confectioneries, antiques, leather goods and so on and so forth.
You can also buy some great items in the street shops and flea market. Bargaining is normally allowed. The vendors will normally overprice items for the foreign tourists and hence, if you don�t bargain you would end up paying more on things that are not worth it.
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