Welcome to DesBNet - Rome

No. of Visits 1 - Last Visited 1999

General

Rome has been at the forefront of the civilised world for great many centuries, hence it has also been labelled "The Eternal City". Rome has a great deal to offer its visitors, from historic ancient ruins, to modern Italian style. Sedate piazzas are just around the corner from snarling traffic jams, and "Cultural Overload" can be appeased by a gentle stroll through nearby gardens. The tiny (0.44 sq km) Vatican City, revered as the home of the Roman Catholic Church, lies within the city of Rome as an independent State. Many visitors flock to the popular sights; however, this great city has more to offer than tourist attractions.

Geography

Rome is situated close to the West Coast in the Lazio region of Italy. Surrounded by "The Seven Hills", the city is dissected by the River Tiber. The Vatican City can be found to the west of the city of Rome.

Climate

The winter months are generally mild. In springtime, the temperatures start to rise, and summer can bring some very hot days (30° C).

History

Over 2000 years of history is on open display in Rome. The home of the once all-conquering Roman Army is there to be seen, The Forum, Colusseum, Castel St Angelo (burial site of the Emperor Hadrian) & The Pantheon amongst many other sites, give an insight to the past glories of the Roman Empire. Equally importantly, The Vatican City has been the seat of the Roman Catholic Church for over 1000 years, and to this day wields immense social and political power across the world.

Language & Culture

Italian is obviously the language of these parts, however, as with all major cities, you can get by with a good phrase book. Food, Drink, & Music feature highly on the agenda here, and are all easily savoured.

Accommodation

The is a good range of accommodation available in Rome, and it's surrounding area. I would recommend staying in the city itself. All major Hotel Chains have properties here, but beware, Rome is a VERY popular choice for travellers, so BOOK EARLY!

Sight Seeing

Walking around Rome is a truly rewarding experience. Ancient Ruins, Baroque Palaces, & Stunning Cathedrals seamlessly blend in to this buzzing City. High on the list of all visitors should be a visit to the walled Vatican City. The splendour within the Vatican Museums cannot be described, only remembered! St. Peters Basilica and Square are magnificent. A great view of the both the Vatican City, and Rome can be taken in from the top of the circular Castel St. Angelo. For an ancient perspective, The Forum, Colusseum, and Pantheon are fascinating legacies of the Roman Empire. 17th Century Baroque architecture dominates Rome with some fine examples to be found. The Spanish Steps & nearby Trevi Fountain are magnets for today's traveller, however they are not alone in their beauty! The "Wedding Cake" style of Vittorio Emmanuelle Monument is enthralling, as are many of the churches, including Santa Maria Maggiore (Esquiline Hill), Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels & Martyrs (Piazza della Republica) & Santa Maria (Trastevere).

Beaches

The Lazio Coast is a short train journey from Rome.

Local Transport

There is a limited metropolitan rail system in Rome. The Bus system is very good, and you can purchase 'All Day' tickets from most news-stands. Day trips to the surrounding 'hill-top' villages (Castelli Romani) including Frascati & Tivoli are popular excursions.

Night Life

There are many lively Bars & Nightclubs to be found.

Restaurants

Restaurants abound, and typically, various forms of Pasta and accompanying sauces, & Pizza dominate most menus. Italian dining consists of 4-5 courses, and is a wonderfully relaxing affair. The desserts & local cheeses are a good prelude to the infamous Espresso Coffee. Eating out does not necessarily cost you a great deal of money, as there is immense competition in this sector.

Shopping

A shoppers paradise! Italian style is renowned throughout the world. The streets around Piazza del Spagna are home to an array of famous (& expensive!) designer shops. However, elsewhere, Leather Shoes, Handbags, & Briefcases are of an exceptional quality, and may well suit your budget.

Car Hire

Don't Bother! Once you've seen the traffic, you'll understand why.

Getting There

2 International airports, Leonardo da Vinci (Fuimicino) & Ciampino serve Rome. The former has a regular train service to the Termini Stazione, whilst bus services link Ciampino to the City.