Activities and Attractions in Rome

LA DOLCE VITA  Italian for “the sweet life” (You can have everything.). 

There is so much to do in Rome you couldn’t possibly see it in a single visit, however here are a few things to get you started.  The list could include a visit to the PANTHEON which is a stand out because it is so well preserved it looks almost the way it did 2000 years ago. It is still the world’s largest un-reenforced concrete structure. As you walk through it you are probably walking right in Caesar’s footsteps.  The Coliseum, an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome, was home to brutal gladiatorial conquests and public spectacles. An architectural and engineering wonder, the Coliseum was the largest amphitheater ever built in the Roman Empire.

Rome was built on 7 hills, the main one being Palatine Hill.  If you have the energy climb up you will be rewarded with views of the Roman Forum’s crumbling walls. In ancient times the forum was the economic and social hub of the city.  Look down on Circus Maximus the famous chariot racing stadium that could hold 250,000 people. Remember Ben Hur?

Of course the Trevi Fountain is a romantic and popular site for Tourists and if you are old enough to remember you can hum three coins in a fountain while you toss your coins in the water ensuring a return trip to Rome. In ancient times THE SPANISH STEPS (all 138 of them) were a main gathering place for artists and writers and today they still attract foreigners from all over the world. People watching is one of the main activities but  fashionable shops and cafés line the approaching streets for those who want a little more to occupy their time.

WHEN IN ROME – do as the Romans do

Since the 1800’s The Campo dei Fiori Market has been and still is where the locals shop.  Think food…you might want to pick up some pecorino cheese, sun dried tomatoes, pasta, proscuttio, fresh vegetables, bread, balsamic, and olive oil.  Then grab some flowers and a bottle of Chianti and presto there’s your evening meal.  Delicious!  If cooking’s not your thing, there are multitudes of trattorias, restaurants and cafes to choose from. They are everywhere and in Italy first thing in the morning it is inconceivable for the Italians to start the day without a cup of espresso.  So join in and live like a local.

FOR YOUR ART AND ECCLESIASTICLE SIDE

No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Vatican. You can visit a new country without ever leaving the city limits!  Your best bet would probably be to get a tour.  There is much to see and a good tour guide can make all the difference. See Michelangelo’s compelling Sistine Chapel and don’t miss the Vatican museum. It really is a labyrinth of museums with artworks from every corner of the globe and it could literally take you days to see it all. Outside is St Peter’s Basilica the symbolic Mother Church of the Catholic Church and one of the holiest sights of Christendom.

Walking around Rome is another wonderful way to see and get the feel for this diverse and magnificent city.  Have fun!

All rights reserved on the above article by our travel writer Pat Anderson.

Vacation Rentals in Rome

Did you know that there are some great holiday rentals in Rome that you can rent directly from an owner. These vacation rentals include apartments and flats close to the Colosseum and other historic locations.  When you stay in a holiday rental in Rome, you will find it much more affordable than paying for an expensive hotel.  These self catering condos and apartments allow you the choice to eat in and save money and offer much more space than a cramped hotel room.  Also sharing accommodation expenses with family and friends makes your Rome vacation so doable.