Attractions

Where to start is the main problem for visitors on a trip to Rome. Rome is divided into a number of districts including the Modern Centre, Old Rome, Colosseo - the old part of Rome, the Vatican, the North Centre, Trastavere, Aventino-Testaccio and Esquilino-San Giovanni. Visitors are usually keen to see the historical centre first, and the Pantheon is one of the most popular attractions. The Pantheon was constructed in 125 AD and is incredibly well preserved. Originally built as a temple to the Gods by Hadrian, light enters through a central oculus which, with the aid of a sundial, allowed the Romans to measure time.

The Colosseum is one of the landmark attractions in Rome, featuring a range of architecture including columns which are Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Underneath the former gladiatorial arena there is a network of corridors, ramps and elevators, which were used to take animals from their cages to the arena. Today, we can only see a bare skeleton of the once magnificent structure.

The Roman Forum was where Romans played out political, religious and business life - and was located in the valley between the Palatine and Capitoline hills. A map of the area is useful in order to find the best preserved monuments including the Arch of Septimus Severus, the House of the Vestal Virgins, and the Temple of Vesta.

The Trevi Fountain is a well known attraction, and is found in Piazza di Trevi. The fountain was constructed for Pope Clement XII, and features statues representing Abundance, Agrippa, Salubrity, and the Virgin and Neptune being led by two tritons. Legend has it that if you toss a coin into the fountain you will one day return to Rome.

One place which should not be missed is the magnificent Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums, in the Vatican City (which is the smallest independent republic in the world). Michelangelo famously painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and frescoes on the wall were painted by Botticelli, Roselli, Pinturicchio, and della Gatta. Michelangelo also painted the altar wall with a depiction of the Last Supper. The Vatican Museums feature one of the best collections of art in the world, with galleries which cover more than 4 miles - the Raphael rooms, Etruscan Museum and Pio-Clementino Museum are highlights. The museum is open Monday to Friday.

The Basilica di San Giovanni is the oldest church in Rome, and is more important to Catholics than even St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Mass is celebrated here on religious holidays, and it is the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope. The cedar table which is housed in the church is said to be the one at which the Last Supper was held. Opposite the church is the Palace of the Holy Steps - one of the holiest Christian sites in the world. The steps are said to be the marble ones which were climbed by Christ at the villa of Pontius Pilate, and they have been present in Rome since 1589.

Events

The Roma Europa Festival is a yearly event which features concerts, dance, and classical music and attracts a large number of international artists. The festival takes place from September to December at a number of venues across the city.

The Birth of Rome takes place in April each year, and celebrates the birth of the city via a plethora of events at The Roman Forum, the Campidoglio, and spectacular firework displays over the Tiber River. Visitors can also enjoy the gladiatorial displays and banquets.

The Rome Marathon takes over the city in March when runners take a scenic route around the capital, past the Colosseum, St Peter's Basilica and many other major attractions. A Marathon Village is erected up to a week in advance of the marathon, with stalls, entertainment and concerts. The race starts at the Colosseum.

Leisure and Recreation

Shopping in Rome is notoriously expensive but there are bargains to be had if you step off the beaten track with many quirky shops to be found on the backstreets. Here, leather goods, gifts and glasswork can be purchased, plus the markets in central Rome should not be overlooked. The Porta Polese flea market takes place in the Trastevere area of the capital. If money is no object then there are enough designer shops here to please any fashionista - from Prada, Gucci, Valentino and Fendi , all located around the Piazza di Spagna. Piazza San Silvestro is the place to head for if in search of jewellery.

Romans have a relaxed approach to nightlife and enjoy spending evenings at cafes, and restaurants at Campo dei Fiori, the Piazza Navona. Testaccio and Ostiense is the place to head for if you want a night out clubbing. The Teatro dell'Opera is home to the Rome Opera Ballet, and for Opera the Baths at Caracella feature open air performances during the summer. The Stadio Flaminio and Palazzo dello Sport are large venues which frequently hold rock concerts and music events.

Weather

Rome can get extremely hot in the summer with temperatures around midday often reaching 35 ^o C or more, which is why Romans tend to shut up shop in August and go on vacation somewhere cooler. Winters tend to be mild with average temperatures in December being around 13 ^o C. Springtime in Rome has long been thought to be the best time to visit, although rainfall can be expected at any time of year.

Getting There and Around

Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport is around 19 miles southwest of the centre, and a free shuttle links the three terminals. Express trains run from Termini Station in the city centre every 15 minutes and the journey time is around 30 minutes. There is also a late night bus service which connects the airport with Rome's central bus station Tiburtina Station. Taxis are readily available from the airport which takes from 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

Rome's historic centre is highly accessible on foot, as it is mostly pedestrianised. Driving should never be attempted in Rome unless completely necessary, but the buses, trams, metro and trains are all efficient ways of getting around the capital. Night buses take over from midnight to 5am. The metro stops at all the main attractions, and all forms of public transport are relatively inexpensive with tickets covering all forms of travel - tickets must be bought in advance.

Top 6 Free Things to Do

Villa Doria Pamphili Park is a lovely place to while away an afternoon in. The park features a playground, football fields, a skating rink and pony rides, and is located on the Janiculum Hill at Via San Pancrazio.

The Palatine Hills tower over the Circus Maximus and can be accessed from near the Colosseum. Legend states that Romulus stayed here after he had fallen out with Remus, his brother - who lived on the other side of the circus at Aventine Hill. Visitors can view the Servian Wall which dates back to the 4^th Century BC.

The Villa Borghese in Camp Marzio, is an area which features many museums. The Galleria Borghese is home to a private collection of art acquired over the years by the Borghese family. The Museo Natonale di Villa Giulia features the biggest collection of Etruscan art in the world, and the Galleria Nationale d'Arte Moderna features works by Cezanne, Degas, Monet and Van Gogh.

The Colosseo district also features museums, the Capitoline Museums which have Rome's most significant Roman and Greek sculptures and art within them.

The National Museum at the Baths of Diocletian which is located in Rome's modern quarter has a huge collection of archaeological artefacts, and the Museo di Civilta Romana is renowned for its vast replica of Imperial Rome, as well as many Roman statues.

Visitors are highly recommended to check out Rome's Piazzas including the Piazza della Minerva, the Piazza Colonna which features a column of Marcus Aurelius, and Piazza Chigi which is where the Italian Government meets.

Money and Costs

Rome can be quite expensive, but on the plus side, museums and galleries are mostly free to get into. Public transport is also reasonably priced and discounted for people under 18 and over 65. As a member of the Euozone Italy's currency is the Euro which has notes ranging from 500 Euros to 5, as well as coins which come in denominations of one to and two Eeuros, and in five, ten, 20, and 50 cents.

There are plenty of ATMs (Bancomat in Italy) which accept the major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, and there may be a charge for withdrawals. Money can be exchanged at banks, post offices, and at foreign exchanges. Exchange facilities are available at the Stazione Termini railway station and at the airport too. American Express and Thomas Cook are found on the Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza Barberini.

The trend of tipping started in Italy so tips are expected when eating out - generally of around 10-15% unless there is a service charge included in the price.