Rome is the capital city of Italy. A visit to Rome is like going back in time. Its rich cultural heritage contributed much to world history. The presence of the ancient ruins and structures around the city lure visitors to this beautiful place all year round. When one talks about Rome, the Vatican City also comes to mind. Vatican City is called “the city within a city” and the smallest independent nation in the world where the Pope of the Roman Catholic resides.
When planning to stay in the city for a few days, a reservation to one of the hotels is a must. There are many hotels just within the city, including Hotel Cesari, Hotel Gladiatori, The Duke Hotel, and Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi. Rates differ so check ahead of time.
From the airport, a train or a bus is available to take any tourist or visitor to the city of Rome. Stazion Termini, Rome’s main train station will take you directly to the center of the city. Several tourist attractions of the city of Rome are just within a walking distance.
- The Colosseum (Colosseo) also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. It is known to stage gladiator fights and public performances for about 500 years.
- St. Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro). It houses 100 tombs of very important leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and is the largest Roman Catholic building in the world. Michelangelo’s works can be found here.
- Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani). The largest museum complex in the world. It houses among others the “Stanze” painted by Raphael, the Sistine Chapel with frescoes by Michelangelo and the 15th century masters from Umbria and Tuscany.
- The Roman Forum (Foro Romano). It is one of the city’s most important archaeological sites.
- The Pantheon. It was a temple dedicated to the seven gods of Ancient Rome. It is now considered as the Italy’s best-preserved ancient building.
- The Capitoline Hill. Also known as the Capitol, it is the highest among the seven hills of ancient Rome. It provides an easy access to Palazzo dei Conservatori and Capitoline Museum.
- Piazza Navona is where la Fontana dei Fiumi - Bernini’s work - can be found.
Visiting the places within Rome is a breeze. A person can ride a cab, a bus, a train or a self-driven car. Car and boat rentals are also available. When planning to take a tour-guided bus, archeobus is recommended. The archeobus starts its route from Piazza Venezia – the heart of the city – to Villa de Quintili. It passes and stops on the most visited places in Rome. A tourist guide would love to tell you the history of these famous archeological sites. A visitor or tourist can stay on the bus or stop at a place from time to time then wait for the next bus to come along. An archeobus ticket costs about US$7.50
- Acquedotti Romani (The Roman Aqueduct)
- Bocca della Verità
- Casal Rotondo
- Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus)
- Catacombe di San Callisto
- Catacombe di San Sebastiano
- Circo di Massenzio
- The Tomb of Cecilia Metella
- Porta S.Sebastiano
- S.Urbano
- Sede Parco Appia Antica
- Terme di Caracalla (Baths of Caracalla)
- Valle della Caffarella
- Villa dei Quintili
Beautiful it may be, a tourist to the city of Rome should be careful when visiting or traveling to places. Like any other place in the world, misfortunes happen on the streets. Bring with you important documents such as passport and identification cards. Keep a second copy in a safe place or at the hotel. Write down the address and telephone number of the hotel where you are residing. Do not bring all your money with you but keep the remaining money in a safe place. Separate the documents and the money.
When walking, avoid deserted or isolated streets and do not walk alone at night. Be wary of the surroundings and any suspicious-looking individuals. If possible, always walk with a group of people and do not just trust any individual who voluntarily offers information. When riding a car, keep the doors locked. On the train, do not leave belongings unattended and keep the important documents and valuables always with you. Stay near the place where you can immediately seek help when needed. Write down the telephone numbers of the police station, hospital, embassy and any other person that you can contact in case of emergency.
[...] Prague, according to many travel advisories, is one of the most visited cities in Europe. In fact, it comes sixth among the list of most visited European cities, coming after London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin. Nicknamed as the Golden City, Prague has remained virtually unscathed even after the comings and goings of two World Wars; and has remained as the Czech state’s cultural, economic and political seat of power for more than 1,100 years. As such, there are so many culturally and historically rich architectural sites you may want to visit – cobblestone streets, majestic churches, resplendent squares, and fortifications worthy of royalty. However, Prague has not remained stagnant over the years. It is an energetic city, full of change and progression; if you are coming to this city to enjoy time with your family and friends, then you have certainly come to the right place. Besides, Prague has a wonderful night life arena that you may certainly enjoy after a long day touring. [...]
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