Overview of Rome
When you talk of Italy, Rome is often the first city a lot of people think of. It is, after all, the capital city of Italy and is the most populated one in the country. Rome has been in existence for more than two dozen centuries and has been around since 753 BC, and is even called the birthplace of western civilization. Rome is also where you will find the Vatican City, which is where the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, can be found.
For tourists, going to Italy should definitely include Rome in the mix, with the capital city either being the jumping-off point of the tour or where the vacation ends. With so much to see and do here, sometimes Rome is the only place people visit when they come to Italy. Whatever the case may be, Rome has always been one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Europe, bringing in around 7 million tourists to the country every year.
Where to Go and What to See
When a trip to Rome is planned, the question of what to see and where to go can be somewhat daunting. The huge number of interesting places to go to here makes coming to Rome a singularly challenging trip, but there are a few landmarks here that always make it to this list for every single tourist to the city.
Colosseum – This is one of the most visited places in the world, with roughly 4 million visitors coming to gaze at its magnificence every single year. The Colosseum is an oval amphitheater that was once used for gladiator fights and other shows that were staged for the populace. It is said to have a seating capacity of up to 80,000 spectators in the past. This iconic symbol of the old Roman Empire is considered the most popular tourist attraction in the country.
Pantheon – This former Roman temple was built in 125 AD and is said to be on top of another temple that was built in the time of Augustus. The Pantheon is now a church and a popular tourist destination that is visited annually by a few million people. The structure features a round central main area and a portico in front with massive Corinthian columns made out of granite. The interiors are just as impressive as the outside of the building, with people marveling at the domed top and the details inside the structure on a daily basis.
The Vatican Museums – This religious museum is found in the Vatican (which incidentally is the only country within a city in the entire world) is also the most popular and most visited place in Rome, with more than 4 million visitors coming to it every year. The works that you can find here include sculptures, paintings, and other works of art that were collected over a span of a few hundred years. While it is said that the museums have more than 70,000 works in it, only 20,000 are actually on display for visitors to see.
What to Do
Another difficult thing to decide when you come to Rome is what to do while you are there, aside from sightseeing, that is. When it comes to sightseeing, a long list of monuments, buildings, ruins, and tourist attractions need to be visited. When it comes to activities and what to do, the list can also be just as long. Here are a few suggestions you might want to consider:
Learn to Cook Authentic Italian Food – These classes do not take too much of your time, but it will give you something that you can bring home with you that you won’t need to pay any duties on. Learning to cook food that can be called authentic Italian cuisine is something you should definitely consider when you are in Rome, with the lessons being taught by a renowned Italian chef. Not only to you learn how to create a real Italian meal, but you also meet new people, see the techniques used to make such dishes, and have fun immersing yourself in the experience.
Go Shopping at Galleria Alberto Sordi – Shopping never felt so opulent or so historic as going to this age-old galleria for a souvenir or two of your trip to Rome. Have a cup of coffee in this decades old structure while you admire the general spectacle of people shopping and enjoying themselves around you. Enjoy gazing at the mosaic tile floors, stained glass ceilings, and walk around the many shops found within it.
Party the Night Away at Testaccio – If you are not too tired after a long day of walking around the many grand structures of the city, you can head on over to Testaccio for a night on the town. There are lots of nightclubs and bars for you to choose from here, some of which are all-night cafes and others that are dance clubs that have amazing DJs and skilled bartenders.
Going on a trip to Rome is not something you will want to do without careful planning, not with all the sights and experiences that you might end up missing. It can also be pretty stressful if you had to put together such a trip yourself, and that is not what you want. To get the most enjoyment out of your vacation to Rome, it is best for you to Tour Italy Now plan your trip for you so that you can enjoy everything the city has to offer without needing to worry about anything.
Enjoy this 3D tour of Rome – The Eternal City!
