When in Rome… roam!  Explore, discover and have a great time!  Rome, Italy is dubbed the Eternal City for a multitude of reasons.  Rome is filled with awe-inspiring buildings, museums and landmarks.  You can’t help but get a sense of wonder as you stroll through the streets that are imbibed with history, artistry, architecture and magic.  You will also have the satisfaction from having your fill of the famed Italian cuisine (pizza, pasta, gelato, capped off with a cup of cappuccino). Rome is a holiday city for romantics, artists, lovers of beauty.  Legend has it that two orphaned twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, established this city on seven hills.  Yes, this ancient city is all about legends, Egyptian obelisks, tombs of emperors, palaces, Renaissance frescoes, sparkling fountains, and oh, so much more! 

Rome, the capital city of Italy, is blessed to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It is a fascinating mix of the old, the new and the fashionable.  It is a veritable treasure trove of sights that have longed charmed millions of visitors.  And millions still come to visit Rome, Italy because its attractions have stood the test of time.  These monuments attest to the time when Rome was once the heart and the crown of Western civilization.  During its days to glory, the adage “all roads lead to Rome” was simply a statement of fact. 

Explore the streets of Rome and prepare to be entertained.  The plazas, cathedrals and other landmarks abound at this, the world’s first cosmopolitan city.  Explore the Roman Forum, where key decisions of the empire were made.  This humungous complex made up of basilicas, temple ruins and arches, was the heart of the ancient Roman Empire.  Next stop is the historic Colloseum where many a gruesome gladiator fight took place.  The Collosseum holds the distinction of being a few of the ancient monuments that are well-preserved in terms of structure and magnificence.   The Via dei Fori Imperiali connects the Collosseum with Piazza Venezia.  Nearby you will see Trajan’s Market, where, in its glory days, you will find the most precious treasures from all over the known world.  Now, you can pore over bolts of silk, flowers and spices.   This market was built by Appolodorus for the Emperor Trajan.  

Next, head to the Flavian Palace, the Circus Maximus as well as Trajan’s baths.  Another must-see is the Pantheon.  This well-preserved landmark has now been transformed into a modern playground.  Sit at one of the cafes for a spot of people-watching.  What’s unique about this is its hole in the ceiling.  On rainy days, you can enjoy the sight of the rain pouring on the marble floors.    

Along Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle, you can also take a look at Emperor Hadrian’s Mausolem, which has a connection to the Vatican.  Of course, Rome, being the center of Roman Catholicism, is replete with basilicas and cathedrals, chief of which is saint Peter’s Basilica at the  Vatican.  It’s certainly one of the largest and awe-inspiring churches in the world.  Get a load of the breathtaking artistry and majestic beauty of gold, marble and bronze adorning the basilica.  It also houses the renowned Pieta of Michelangelo.  Just beside that is another glorious religious structure – the glorious Sistine Chapel.  Its main claims to fame are the frescoes painted by master artists, Micheangelo and Botticelli.   

If you’re into the arts and culture, Rome boasts of museums and art galleries that are considered some of the best in the world.   It covers subjects such as archeological artifacts, Baroque and Renaissance art, Roman and Greek art works and artifacts, as well as some of the national masterpieces.  At the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna, you can find works created by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet and Degas.  

Now, Rome is not without its modern attractions.  It is also an excellent place to go shopping and enjoying a great meal.  Explore the Via Veneto where you can find some of the best shops and restaurants in the city.  Toss three coins into the Trevi Fountain and make your wish (but with the fact that you’re already in Rome would mean that you may already have your dreams come true!).  

This is just a short list of the things you should see in Rome, Italy during your holiday.  What we’re trying to say, in a nutshell, is this: Be prepared to fall in love with this city.