Ah, Rome. One of the oldest cities in the world. One of the most romantic cities in the world. One of the most religious cities in the world. Famous for ruins, art, food, architecture, history, beauty and so much more. There's so much to say about Rome, that I don't know where to start. I will say that I'll be discussing Vatican City and The Vatican in another post.
Let's start at the beginning. Or, at the Romans anyway. Rome is an ancient city that has transcended ages and ages. Home of the Gods that our planets are named after such as Jupiter and Mars, the city went from polytheism to monotheism and became the capital of Catholicism. Ruled by Caesars, Popes, Fascists, Napoleon and more. They've been through the dark ages, the middle ages, the Renaissance, and Enlightenment, and so much more. This is the capital of ground zero for much of civilized life.
The history of Rome really slaps you in the face. It's everywhere you look. Unless you want to miss something amazing, don't try to visit this city on a short trip. Don't make it a stop on a tour. This city stands alone in a fascinating country. It takes time to experience all that the city has to offer. The Pantheon and the Colosseum are two of the most famous sites, but there are ruins everywhere. I'm not discussing the Appian Way and other sites in this post, because there is so much to see in Rome, itself. There are churches everywhere. The architecture in this city is some of the most amazing architecture you will ever see, and it's thousands of years old in many cases. There are ossuaries and catacombs to tour. There's even a pyramid. There are daytime tours and nighttime tours of these sites. You will be overwhelmed by all there is to see.
There are places in Rome that are famous as people watching spots and these sites are also world famous. there are the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. There are squares, parks, markets, bistros, and so many more places to sit and watch the world go by, while enjoying a truly remarkable experience of your own. Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is no dispute about that.
Experiences are king here as well. There are many events to go to. You can even visit a cat sanctuary. You can tour catacombs. You can take a boat on the canal. There is so much to do.
Whether you are visiting the ancient city, Trastevere and the locals, or the tourist sites and museums that Rome is most famous for, you will be amazed. Art is central in Rome, having been through many phases in world renowned art. Home of the Renaissance. There are museums of all kinds in Rome. History, architecture, ruins and outdoor museums, military, roman, war, and of course, art.
Art is everywhere in Rome. There are galleries galore, museums, and lots of street art. Everything from ancient in the churches and basilicas to modern murals on the buildings in some neighborhoods can be found around the city. Architecture as well goes anywhere from the ancient ruins to modern styles. The diversity of Rome in its art and architecture is truly a wonder of the world.
How to get around? There are many ways. There's the local city pass that allows you to use all of the public transportation and is available in a variety of timelines. There are buses, taxis and trains of various kinds to get you around, but may I suggest a tour?
A city like Rome can be overwhelming, and a tour isn't a bad idea. They have a variety of tours available for churches, ruins, underground, macabre, food, wine, shopping, art, museum, and so much more. You can go by horse and carriage, segway, bicycle, boat, or even Vespa. Vespa is the quintessential mode of transportation that Italy is probably best known for next to super cars. You can take a tour on one that has a sidecar or you can rent one through the local city bike rental program. They are a great way to get around, but be careful. Traffic in Rome is nuts.
Have you considered a sporting event? I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that one of the most famous Olympic spots in the world is Rome. Second only to Athens, Greece. Sports have been a part of society here for thousands of years. Hence, the Colosseum. Although the games have become more civilized, they remain an important part of Roman life. There are modern stadiums for soccer, cricket and so much more. So, take time to go to a sporting event. It's one of those things. Even if you aren't into sports, it's an experience that shouldn't be missed.
Churches, churches, churches. There are thousands of them in Rome. There are cathedrals, chapels, churches, monasteries, convents and on and on. I cannot name them all, and I'm not discussing the Vatican in this entry. There are old churches, modern churches and everything in between. Taking a tour, once again, will allow you to see the best of the best and the best of the architecture and art that make the city an art destination. Tours are a good idea. Sorting it out on your own is a time wasting venture.
Do you like to shop? Rome is a shopping Mecca. There are high end shopping areas, traditional markets and everything in between. The best thing to do when shopping in a city for the first time is to ask around. This normally starts with any tour guides that you've met along the way and the folks who work at your hotel. They will have great advice on where to shop. A couple of cautions when it comes to seeking advice to shop in a city like Rome.
First, make it clear the kind of shopping that you're looking for. Religious, high end, fashion, traditional, souvenir, food, local crafts. Let your advisor know what you're looking for. If you are staying in a high end hotel, be prepared to only be advised by the staff to shop at the high end neighborhoods. The two tend to support each other in business.
Second, never ask a taxi driver for advice on such matters. They have their own agenda and tourists are a great source of extra money to any taxi driver in the world. They will take you to the farthest location for a better fare, somewhere that they have friends and get kickbacks. It's not a bad thing. It's just how that business works.
Despite some of the potential pitfalls, shopping is a great way to get a feel for a city. If you can find a city market, of which there are several in Rome, that's probably the best experience if your shopping time is limited.
Eating should be a pleasure in Rome. Each region of Italy is famous for their own specialties. Rome has pizza, but it is its own kind. It will be different from Naples or Tuscany. One of my all time favorites is Carbonara, and that is directly Roman. Served commonly with Rigatoni, it is a local delicacy. Cured meats are quite common in Rome, as is all forms of pasta. You may want to try a sandwich, but expect your choices to include meat. Try a dash of cheese on your dishes when you eat, as Romano cheese is obviously descended from Rome. For desert, don't forget the world famous Gelato.
Wine is king when it comes to drinks as are most forms of coffee. Italy doesn't treat alcohol as any kind of a special beverage, and most folks at a restaurant will have an alcoholic beverage with dinner and some form of coffee after.
Neighborhoods are also a great way to find your favorite food. Trastevere is where people actually live and work. It is historically scenic with narrow streets and vines growing on the walls. They have a great collection of local restaurants and cafes. I do recommend taking a food tour, asking around about local restaurants and looking at the Zagat, Michelin, and Fodor's recommendations.
There's so much to talk about when it comes to Rome. It is an epicenter for so much from fashion, to sites, to food, to drink, to once in a lifetime experiences. You can visit the zoo, the botanical gardens, ruins, parks, neighborhoods, museums, galleries, sports events, theater, churches, and so much more. There are multiple tours of the Colosseum alone. There are a lot of choices to make. This is a rare time that I would seek advice from an Italian tourist site or Tours by Locals.
Here's my advice for visiting Rome for the first time.
Schedule tours, which may include the Vatican.
Make enough time to visit the city and take it all in. You will regret it if you miss something important to you.
Don't make it part of a trip to Italy. Take time.
You can visit as part of a cruise itinerary, but I wouldn't. Once again, take time.
Ask locals for advice on shopping and food.
Make sure you include an experience, whether it's ossuaries, horse and carriage, a night tour, or whatever. Make those memories.
Check for restrictions for Covid-19 of course.
Check directly with airlines for airfare on this one. They tend to have better deals that the travel sites.
Experiment with lodging. There are apartments, hotels, condos, hostels and even convents and monasteries you can stay at. Experience the city and all it has to offer.
Learn a little bit of the language. Most Romans speak a bit of English, but appreciate the effort.
Meet people. It's the best way to make the most of a visit to Rome.
So, I hope that I've covered at least a bit of what Rome has to offer. It's a huge place with a huge history, and a huge art scene with a huge food scene. It has so much to offer that it's hard to wrap your mind around, but it's worth it. Enjoy!
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Wonderful post! I recently got my Italy Visa UK with the help of a reputable visa consultancy. Since then, I have been looking for some interesting places to visit in Italy. That is when I stumbled upon your post. Your interesting Italy adventure experiences coupled with beautiful pictures have piqued my interest. I am pretty excited to visit Italy with my husband next month for Christmas.
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