About Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the largest city on the Italian peninsula and has been a crucial city in western culture and history for over two and a half thousand years. Founded by Etruscan and Greeks, around 875 B.C, Rome grew to be the capital of the Roman Empire, an empire that encompassed the entire Mediterranean basin, including North Africa, the Middle East and parts of Northern Europe, including two thirds of the island of Britain and large swaths of Western Germany. Ancient Rome and the Roman Empire also had a huge influence in Christianity becoming the dominant religion in Europe when the Roman emperor Constantine decided to adopt Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, supplanting countless pagan religions from all over Europe. The city of Rome lost influence with the decline of the Roman Empire and subsequent split into Eastern and Western halves and by the Middle ages even the papacy had moved to Avignon due to constant outbreaks of Malaria in the city of Rome.
The Italian Renaissance was good for Rome, giving it some of its most beautiful monuments, including the Piazza navonna and Michelangelo’s the crowning achievement: The frescoes on the roof of the Sistine Chappell. Rome became a focus point for Italian unification during the 19th century and was largely untouched by both world wars of the 20th century, leading to a new renaissance during the 1950′s and 60′s, the time of “la Dolche Vita” and Vespas, as seen on “Roman Holyday”, making Rome of the premier tourist attractions in Europe. Visit the Ruins of the Old Roman Forum and the Coliseum, and then enter Vatican city, an independent city state inside of Rome, to admire Michelangelo’s frescoes and the grandeur of the Papacy. Walk the quaint campo del fiori square, with its open air Café’s, bars and flower market, make a wish on the Fontana di trevy , step on the Spanish Steps, walk along the Tiber River. Dine al fresco in one of Rome’s piazzas and order a Pizza, gelato and capuchino, finished off with an amaretto.
Getting Around:
Rome is served by Leonardo da Vinchi international airport and Ciampino, a smaller, regional and low cost airport served by Ryanair. In the city, you can take the Metro or Rome’s efficient Bus system. The Rome Termini Rail station connects with the rest of Italy and Europe. The Port of Civitavecchia is approximately 2 hours by train from Rome Termini station, offering Ferries to all Mediterranean destinations, including North Africa. Long Distance Busies also serve the city. A map of Rome can help you better with the routes.
Things To Do:
Simply walking around Rome is a wonderfully gratifying experience as the city is an open air Museum with over 2500 years of History; on a short walk you would be able to admire the ancient Roman Forum and the Coliseum, not far from the Renaissance masterpiece of Piazza navona. The Vatican is a short Bus drive away and the quaint Plazas and cafe’s are best explored on foot. Rent a vespa and play “Roman Holyday” for a day.
The central area of Rome can be explored easily by foot. But trekking around the streets may be exhausting. You can either opt for a public transport or rent a car. These car rental services take you to the most exclusive tourist destinations.
Rome Climate:
Rome enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Summers in Rome are very hot and the temperature can exceed up to 35°C and the city shuts down their business during the month of August to take a vacation to cooler destinations. Winters are normally mild and pleasant and the average temperature in the month of December is close to 13°C. Spring season is the best time to visit Rome when the days are warm with mild showers in between.
Hotel Accommodation:
Rome is a city which is rich in its culture, history, art, tourism and entertainment. The city attracts millions of people across the world, throughout the year. There are plenty of hotels and accommodation of all price range can be found in Rome – from luxury stay to budget stay. Despite ample options, it’s not easy to find hotels without prior booking. So, ensure that the reservation in Rome hotels is made in advance.