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Rome is an iconic city known for its grandeur, history, and beauty. It is a popular destination for tourists who come to explore its many attractions, unique culture, and delicious cuisine. For many first-time visitors, exploring Rome can be intimidating. This guide will help visitors plan their trip to make the most out of their journey.
Before traveling to Rome, visitors should research the basics of the city such as the different areas, its currency, and the language. Knowing this information can help visitors save time and money while exploring the city. Additionally, it is important to plan ahead by researching the best times to visit, where to stay, and the amount of money needed for the trip.
When in Rome, visitors should focus on the city's must-see attractions such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Exploring these sites will give visitors a better appreciation for the city's history and its lasting impact. Additionally, visitors should also spend some time in Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel.
Given that Rome is home to a variety of cuisines and cultures, visitors should take advantage of the array of restaurants and food trucks by trying out some of the local dishes. Additionally, exploring the markets and shops will give visitors a better understanding of the Roman culture.
Rome is a vibrant city filled with history and culture. Visiting the city is a once in a lifetime experience for many tourists visiting for the first time. This guide will help first-time visitors make the most out of their trip by providing key information about the city, its attractions, and its culture. Rome is a city of grandeur, history, and beauty – truly a place that needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.
Exploring the Historical City of Rome
Rome is a city with a rich history that spans over two and a half thousand years. It is the birthplace of the Roman Empire and home to some of the greatest monuments of the ancient world. From the Colosseum to the Pantheon, the city abounds with incredible examples of art and architecture. With so many historical sites, attractions, and cultural offerings, it can be difficult to know where to start exploring Rome. For first-time visitors, it's important to develop an itinerary that offers a comprehensive overview of the city's numerous attractions.What to See in Rome
The Colosseum is a must-see part of Rome. Originally built over two thousand years ago, the Colosseum is one of the most famous and recognizable symbols of the city. Take a tour of the Colosseum and marvel at the grandeur of its ancient architecture. Other iconic sights in Rome include the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and St. Peter's Basilica. Be sure to explore the many museums, galleries, and churches throughout the city, as well as the city's lush gardens and parks.Eating and Drinking in Rome
Rome has a long tradition of great food and wine. Try traditional Italian cuisine, such as pasta dishes and pizza, as well as delicious cheese and cured meats. Pizza is a particularly great choice, as there are plenty of wood-fired pizzerias throughout the city. Whether you're looking for a quick bite, a casual lunch spot, or a romantic dinner, there's sure to be something for everyone. Rome also has a thriving nightlife scene, with plenty of bars, pubs, and clubs.Planning the Perfect Trip to Rome
Planning a trip to Rome can be overwhelming, so it's important to do your research and create a plan of attack. Budgeting is key, as many of Rome's attractions are expensive. Consider doing a package tour that includes a combination of physical and virtual visits to various attractions. Also, look into purchasing a museum and attraction pass, which will help you save money on entry fees. In terms of accommodations, there are a variety of options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious five-star hotels.<<
My favorite place to begin is at the Forum, a spectacular labyrinth, a patchwork of crumbled temples, basilicas and monuments. First walk up the back of Capitoline Hill to get a splendid view from above. You'll see where Caesar died and where the vestal virgins tended the sacred fire, and you'll stand by arches erected to honor the conquests of the emperors.
Most Forum visitors neglect to make the easy walk up Palatine Hill, but that's a big mistake. Among remnants of a ninth century B.C. village, ruins of palaces of Roman emperors and pleasant gardens, the view from atop is fantastic. Ancient Romans believed that Romulus, who with Remus is one of the two mythical founders of Rome, lived here.
Below lies the Colosseum, as remarkable for its practicality as it is for its beauty. Because it has 80 arched entrances, a crowd as large as the attendance at a professional football game - about 60,000 - could enter or exit in a matter of minutes. It's pretty well preserved and remains a magnificent sight.
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Another favorite portion of Rome is the area of the Piazza Navona, an elongated oval Baroque piazza that allows only pedestrian traffic. Navona is best known for its three great fountains - Fountain of Four Rivers, Fountain of the Moor and Fountain of Neptune - and is generally considered one of Europe's finest plazas.
From Piazza Navona, go along the Tiber River and cross to Castel Sant'Angelo. Go inside. Its terrace offers outstanding views of St. Peter's and Rome.
In the opposite direction from Piazza Navona, walk to the massive circular Pantheon.Built before the birth of Christ, rebuilt in the first century and an inspiration to architects ever since, it is the best-preserved structure of ancient Rome. Until 1960 its dome was the largest ever built.
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Nearby is Santa Maria in Cosmedin, a beautiful 16th century church whose entranceway houses Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth) of "Roman Holiday" fame, an ancient drain cover with the face of a man. Legend says that if you tell a lie while your hand is in its mouth, its jaws will close and cut off your hand.
It would be a shame for a visitor to Rome to spend less than a full day touring the Vatican. Don't just see St. Peter's Basilica and Michelangelo's Pieta and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. To be in Rome and not see the Vatican Museum in depth - the museum corridors stretch 4 1/2 miles - is as foolish as to be in Paris without visiting the Louvre or St. Petersburg without visiting The Hermitage.
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"Meet me at the steps" is an expression one hears often in Rome. A favorite walk starting from the Spanish Steps is shopping along the street where all of Italy's best-know designer brands have stores, the Via Condoti, which begins at the bottom of the steps.
Close by is Villa Borghese, a large park oasis in the heart of the city that is safe and very pleasant; Piazza del Popolo, a chic Napoleonic square marked by matching baroque churches; the posh cafes of Via Veneto, of "La Dolce Vita" fame; and Trevi, the fountain that "Three Coins in the Fountain" extolled.
Legend says that if you flip a coin back over your shoulder into Trevi Fountain you will return to Rome. It works for me. I've returned more than 30 times.
Fred J. Eckert lived in Rome as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Agencies for Food and Agriculture.
