For history, beauty, and sheer enjoyment, there is simply no other city that can compete with Rome. This legendary city is home to some of the world's most famous and recognisable sights, many of which date back to ancient times. From the height of the powerful Roman Empire to the modern incarnation as a centre for tourism and Italian government, Rome has been and continues to be a premier vacation destination for travellers of all kinds. |
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Most holiday travellers consider historical sites and structures from the Roman Empire to be "must see" attractions when visiting Roman. The most famous of these, the Colosseum, is perhaps the most famous of all the Roman sites. It was completed in AD 80 and quickly became a primary focus of much of Rome's lifestyle. Designed as a huge open air amphitheatre, it stood four stories tall and was filled with marble seats surrounding the very large arena. For nearly 400 years, the Colosseum was home to bloody gladiator competitions, sporting competitions, and the infamous persecutions of Christians thrown into the arena with wild animals.
Although it has suffered considerable damage from earthquakes and deterioration over the centuries, what remains of the Colosseum is still imposing and impressive. As one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome, expect to encounter significant crowds; the best time to go is in the morning. You can take one of several guided tours of the structure, or explore the ruins on your own. Either way, it is an experience not to be missed.
Another of the stunning Roman structures is the Pantheon, an ancient temple built to worship and honour the Roman gods. It features an immense dome with a hole in the ceiling's central point; although it may seem a bit odd, the hole is a critical structural part of the Pantheon. On days when it rains in Rome, an especially interesting and enjoyable experience is to visit the Pantheon and watch the rain as it falls into the centre of the building. It is truly a magnificent sight. Please remember, though, that the Pantheon is still in active use as a church so visitors are asked to dress and behave accordingly.
The Roman Forum is generally not as crowded as some of the other historical ruins, but it is certainly no less interesting and impressive. The Forum was a critically important part of Roman culture and life, serving as the centre of all legal, political, and religious discussion. The most famous and influential Romans all held forth in the Forum at some point, making it literally the seat of much of civilization's early history. There is no charge to enter, but there is a small charge if you choose to use the audio guide to the site. It is well worth the cost to get your hands on this guide because it adds a great deal of understanding and information to your entire Roman Forum experience.
Rome also boasts many stunning public squares, called piazzas. These are noteworthy for many reasons; some have intricate fountains and statuary, some are surrounded by famous architectural landmarks, and still others are noteworthy simply for their openness and diverse assortment of people and foods. For instance, Piazza di Trevi is famous for containing the Fontana di Trevi, Piazza del Campidoglio was designed by Michelangelo and features a stunning view of the Forum, and Piazza di Sant'Ignazio is a charming smaller piazza located in one of Rome's most pleasant neighbourhoods near the Pantheon. Be sure to plan your itinerary to include a stop at one or more of Rome's piazzas for a wonderful opportunity to experience an authentic part of Rome.
There are two major airports serving Rome - Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and Ciampino International Airport. Ciampina is generally features less expensive flights, but da Vinci is in a more convenient location for getting into the city proper thanks to its extensive public transportation connections. Both airports are served by nearly all major international air carriers, so finding a convenient flight is generally not a problem. They can become quite crowded during peak tourist season so make your plans accordingly.
Wiki:- Rome
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