| Rome is an enchanting place that has been | | | | an hourly conducted tour by guides in the |
| attracting tourists for its rich cultural | | | | guise of gladiators. The next important stop, |
| heritage and brilliant historic monuments. In | | | | the Roman Forum or Foro Romano, is just |
| the ratings of Conde Nast Traveler's 2004 | | | | across the street. The Roman Forum, the heart |
| Reader's Choice Awards, Rome grabbed the | | | | of the Roman Empire, is standing tall even |
| coveted second spot on the list of top ten | | | | after 2000 years! You would be fascinated by |
| European cities. | | | | the involutions of the Roman architecture. |
| | | | There is no entry fee here and you can also |
| Some quick helpful facts about traveling to | | | | avail the facility of guided tours. |
| the city. You need to have a valid passport | | | | |
| to enter Italy though you do not need a visa | | | | The next stop, The Pantheon or 'The Temple to |
| if the duration of the stay is less than 90 | | | | all Gods', was built around 125 AD and is one |
| days. However, there is an exception to this | | | | of the best-preserved buildings in Rome. |
| rule for some specific countries. Since the | | | | Built by Emperor Hadrian, many famous |
| summers are hot and dry, you should visit | | | | personalities like Vittorio Emmanuel II and |
| Rome between October and March. Book yourself | | | | Umberto I (the kings of Italy) and the one |
| at a hotel that is close to the historic | | | | and only Raphael are buried here. There is a |
| district. The ideal place would be Hotel de | | | | nine meter opening in the concrete dome which |
| Russie, situated between the Piazza del | | | | the only source of light in this monument. It |
| Popolo and the Spanish Steps that are worth | | | | takes you back in time to the glorious days |
| seeing. | | | | of the Roman Empire and you cannot stop |
| | | | imagining being a part of the Romans, as it |
| Plan your itinerary well in advance, | | | | existed then. You would get goose bumps |
| especially the places you definitely want to | | | | dreaming of the kind of clothes they would |
| visit. The ideal mode of discovering Rome's | | | | have worn, their language, gestures etc. You |
| heritage is on foot, as it gives you the | | | | can have this extraordinary experience |
| flexibility of covering the locations at your | | | | through the year except Christmas when the |
| own speed. The other option to save cost is | | | | Pantheon is closed. |
| to use the Tram Bus system that links the | | | | |
| entire city and also the nearby areas. And if | | | | By the end of the day, there is just one more |
| you are looking at convenience, you can | | | | place to see that cannot be missed. You can |
| always opt for a private tour. Make sure you | | | | easily spend three hours visiting The Vatican |
| have taken a pair of comfortable shoes. Carry | | | | and its collection of artifacts that |
| minimum weight while going around the city. | | | | chronicle the Catholic Church's history. If |
| The city has many eating joints around the | | | | you have time, you should let Michelangelo's |
| tourist attractions so you can appease your | | | | Pieta, which is housed in St Peter's |
| hunger pangs any time you want. | | | | Basilica, amaze you. The Vatican museum has |
| | | | even more splendid antiques, including the |
| The city is full of tourist attractions and | | | | Egyptian mummies. You should not miss Sistine |
| it is a real tough task to decide which of | | | | Chapel that has The Bible painted on the |
| them are a must see. Your local sightseeing | | | | ceiling by the legendary Michelangelo |
| plan for a given day could look like this. | | | | himself. |
| Start with the Coliseum that is a popular | | | | |
| tourist attraction. Since the visiting hours | | | | Well, whatever you chose to do, get to |
| change through the year, make sure that you | | | | befriend your hotel concierge first since he |
| confirm the timings beforehand. To make this | | | | can be the best source of updated |
| awesome experience more realistic, they have | | | | information. |