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Rome All roads lead here. When here, do as the Romans do. This city wasn’t built in a day, after all. And so on. No matter how many well-worn phrases this city has engendered, you’ll feel the limitless breath of eternity – and boundless originality – seeping from every corner of one of the world’s most historical cities. When, a few decades ago, city planners decided to build a subway system through Rome, the literally constant discovery of underground archaeological sites impeded progress relentlessly. The extent of this historical richness was so much that construction simply had to cease after only two lines were built.
They are decent, and public transportation is otherwise charmingly chaotic. But Rome isn’t famed for its functionality, or transportation. Rather, an indefinable yet incredibly un-subtle romance that unabashedly engulfs the visitor. Drinking wine from a bottle on the Spanish Steps, talking to young foreigners from all over the world, feeling the wine course through your body and splashing into the Fontana di Trevi, like Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita, the sights and sounds and nostalgia of Rome are overwhelming.
Take at least a week, if not more, to discover this city. Find luxury lodging, or a pension or youth hostel, even a temporary apartment rental and make Rome your home for a little while. When sightseeing in Rome, it’s not about rushing madly between attractions, but about experiencing them. That said, even if you do set aside a fair amount of time, the extent of incredible sights to see and things to do is overwhelming.
Walking through the St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican, and seeing the painted roof of the Sistine Chapel, is a full day’s affair, if you do it at the right pace. You may even have to come back if you’re lucky enough to be selected for an audience with the pope. Remember, however, that Italy is a very formal country. You will not be permitted to enter the Vatican if you are not wearing trousers. Women can wear trousers or long skirts. The rule: no bare legs.
“No stealing” is also a rule, but do notice the tall copper columns at four points surrounding the Pope’s throne. That is the product of numerous pagan statues stripped from the Roman Pantheon, melted down, and repurposed for the Vatican. The Coloseum is also an fascinating attraction, not only for its sheer size but also the way that its multiple, underground layers are exposed today, thanks to the degradation caused by the passage of time. One can look straight down into the pits of misery in which the Christians stewed in fear, and the lion’s cages where the great beasts paced back and forth, and roared.
Nightlife in Rome is similarly exciting, although it’s not dangerous and, frankly, it’s quite fun. The Italians love to stay out late at night, and Roman city slickers are no different. A number of clubs, discos and bars fuel a robust entertainment industry – you’ll be entertained. |
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+44 (0)20 3239 3952
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