Fontana di Trevi, Rome / Photo by admin

Rome’s Main Attractions

During a first-time visit to Rome, there are a few main attractions that must be seen including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Trevi Fountain.

Luxury Boutiques

Step foot in Rome and one of the first things you will notice is how fashionable the locals are, even when out running simple errands. How could they not be with their streets lined with the likes of Prada and Dolce & Gabbana? The most prestigious place to do some shopping is along elegant Via de Condotti. Here you will find luxury boutiques from some of Italy’s most famous fashion designers including Versace and Armani. It is a real experience to walk into Bulgari or Fendi and make a purchase in the city where these brands were founded.

Upscale Dining

Many people plan entire trips to Rome just to eat. While other areas of Rome specialize in rustic dishes, restaurants in Rome are as refined as those in New York City — but with that distinct Italian flair. Beyond dining in the latest and greatest restaurants, Rome also offers the opportunity to engage with food and wine. If you’re interested in cooking, how about signing up for a cooking lesson with a local chef? If you want to expand your wine knowledge, there are many tastings (some paired with food) that will be both educational and fun. There are also many walking tours led by local experts focused on traditional Roman food.

Relax at the Spa

Part of the pleasure of Rome is strolling through Campo dei Fiori or Piazza Navona after dark, soaking in the architecture and atmosphere. After all that walking, you’ll probably be ready for a serene spa day. This capital city has a range of decadent spas to choose between, including Cavalieri Grand Spa, De Russie Wellness Zone, and Hassler Roma Spa. Do a little investigating before your arrival and you could plan a spa day that includes a romantic couple’s massage. These spas are very popular and in demand, so be sure to make your reservations in advance online to ensure an appointment on the day and time you desire.

Rome’s Little Pleasures

It’s easy to fill your days in Rome with so many museums, shops, and boutiques. But part of the fun in Rome is slowing down to enjoy the city’s little pleasures. Instead of rushing to dinner, how about sitting down in a square for an aperitivo? For a little culture, you can get dressed up for an evening at the Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma. The Italians are known for their sweets, so after dinner or the theater, why not stop into Gina, a restaurant known for its dolci? After a few days, you might start thinking like an Italian, beginning your day with an espresso and joining in on the daily evening stroll.

Rent a Luxury Apartment

If you really want to see how the Romans live, step into their shoes. Rent a luxury Rome apartment and explore the local neighborhoods. Here you can take fashion inspiration from the locals, discover off-the-beaten-path boutiques for shoes and handbags, and linger of a glass of wine at lunch in a local ristorante. A luxury apartment will provide generous living space and a kitchen for stocking healthy snacks and drinks. When researching, keep your eye out for rentals with special touches such as a soaking tub, a balcony with views, or rooftop access.

Regardless of where you stay and what you do, there’s nothing like a trip to Rome.  Take your time and enjoy it!

About the Author
Joseph Miller is a writer and analyst for HomeAway’s Travel Ideas site. He has lived in California, Oregon, Florida, Texas and Tokyo and enjoys a good cruise now and then.

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Piazza Navona / Photo by admin

Attractions in Rome

Rome is filled with a number of tourist attractions, you will never run out of places to visit, only time.  One of the most recommended attractions is the Colosseum which has to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome (it gets very busy in the peak season). Built in AD 80, the Colosseum held many gladiatorial and wild animal fights and today, there are men dressed in gladiatorial costume to help set the scene as to how it was like back then. On Sundays the road leading up to the Colosseum, the Via dei Fori Imperiali is closed to traffic and therefore it is nice to stroll up to the Colosseum, there are plenty of souvenirs to buy from the vendors along the road.

One of Rome’s most beautiful sqaures, the Piazza Navona, was originally built as a stadium for athletic contests. Until the late 19the century the square was flooded to be used for mock naval battles and other aquatic sports.  It is now filled with lavish cafes and three Baroque fountains. Don’t miss out on the delicious ice cream dessert, tartufo. which you can have at one of the cafes.

A third tourist attraction you won’t want to miss is the Pantheon.  It was built 1,800 years ago and until 1436 was the largest dome in the world at 43 metres high.  With marble columns and brick walls, the Pantheon was originally a temple for pagan gods but was converted into a church in 609AD. It now contains the tombs of the artist Raphael and many Italian kings.  The Pantheon borders the Piazza della Rotonda, which has a central fountain and obelisk.

Pantheon / Photo by admin

Places to Stay in Rome

There are plenty of hotels to stay in Rome, hotels to suit every budget.  One of the more luxurious hotels is near the Piazza Navona, called the Raphael Hotel. Inside of the hotel is filled with antiques and artwork.  Staying in short term accommodation rentals can be just as luxurious and are all centrally located.  There are many apartments in Rome for rent to suit every budget.

There are many different places to stay when travelling round Europe.  A lot of companies offer short term accommodation rentals in Berlin, Rome, Paris and you can even rent apartments in London.

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Arts Outside

Many of the Eternal City’s most famous historic sites morph into elegant alfresco entertainment venues in the warm summer evenings. The Villa Celimontana, the Capitoline Museum and the church of Sant’lgnazio host plays, musical performances and dance exhibitions. Enjoy Shakespeare in a recreated Globe theater in Villa Borghese Park, attend readings by famous authors in the Roman Forum or thrill to opera performed against the stunning backdrop of the Baths of Caracalla.

Café on the Piazza

With its magnificent piazzas, stylish streets and hordes of fashionistas and international celebrities, Rome is the ideal city for people-watching. Whether at sunset or late in the glittering Mediterranean night, stake out a table at a one of many little outdoor cafés and watch the colorful crowds parade by in the Piazza Navona or Campo de’ Fiori. With the prevalence of conveniently located apartments in Rome, you may find a charming hangout close to your cozy home-away-from-home.

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Hit the Roof

Rome’s bewitching rooftop bars and terraces provide astonishing views along with creative cocktails and fine international wines, many within walking distance of delightful Rome apartments. Wake to bruschettas and coffee under balmy Mediterranean breezes or savor evening aperitifs overlooking the glittering city. Many elegant terraces are atop the city’s luxury hotels, including the Hotel Raphael, the Hotel Minerva and the Sofitel Villa Borghese.

Dine Out

Rome is famous throughout the world for its fantastic food, and restaurants are everywhere, from gelato bars to casual trattorias to elegant fine dining establishments. Savor some of the city’s finest seafood at Il San Lorenzo, crispy pizza at popular Da Bafetto or creative Roman haute cuisine at Agata e Romeo. Fortunately for touring foodies, many Rome apartments for rent are close to some of the city’s best eateries.

Dance

Testaccio is the sizzling center of stylish Rome’s dazzling night life, with fashionista haven Hulala, celeb haunt Ketum Bar and exclusive Joia among the countless trendy lounges and dance clubs. Those looking for more laid-back hangouts can head to the area around the University of San Lorenzo, where the prevalence of students has spawned loads of pubs, pizzerias and wine bars. The little beach town of Ostia, just 20 kilometers from Rome, rocks in the summertime with plenty of beachy bars, magnificent mojitos and dancing under the stars.

There are lots of places to stay when travelling round Europe.  Instead of staying in a hotel, why try renting apartments in Paris, London and Rome.  Robin Sharman is a travel blogger who writes about places to visit all over Europe.

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Piazza Navona, Rome | Italy / Photo by admin

The stadium was inaugurated by the Emperor Domitian in the year of 86 on the occasion of the Games in the Greek style. At the time of its completion could carry up to 30,000 spectators. In 1377 the current Pope began with a large urban development of this area. Later in 1477, Pope Sixtus IV moved the Central Market here, which operated for 390 years long. Even today you can see the traditional Christmas markets with toys and Christmas decorations here.

Square undergone the greatest change in 1644, when Pope Innocent X. initiated an extensive program of turning the city into Baroque style. And it was nothing else than Piazza Navona that he took for his new family residence. His plan was to build up a fountain and the church, and it was done within the next ten years.

Beautiful baroque square Piazza Navona is now a big tourist attraction, it is full of visitors during the day as well as night. In the shadow of the beautiful works of art you can sit for a cup of coffee, enjoy a glass of wine or enjoy some of Italian great specialities.

Fontana del Moro, Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy by Abir Anwar

Among the most important monuments in the square include two magnificent fountains made by sculptor Bernini. At the southern end of the square is the Fontana del Moro (Fountain of the Moors), which construction started by Giacomo della Porta, but was finished by Bernini.

In the middle of the square you can see the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), showing the four rivers, as symbols of the four continents known at that time. In each corner is a statue of the man, that represent four different rivers (Nile in Africa, Ganges in Asia, Danube in Europe and Río de la Plata in America. The fountain was completed in 1651. In the northern part of the Piazza Navona is another smaller fountain – Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune fountain), which is another work of the sculptor Giacomo della Porta.

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy by Ruben Charles

A beautiful monument is also the Church of St. Agnes (Sant’Agnese in Agone) standing on the west side of the square. It was built on the place where the Saint Agnes was martyred. This only thirteen years old Christian girl was stripped naked on the square because she did not want to marry a pagan – the son of a Roman official. But according to the legend, a miracle happened as she prayed, her hair grew and covered her body.

Agnes was, however, later in 304 AD, executed by Diocletian during the persecution of Christianity. The church now boasts façade from 1653, which is the work of Bernini’s big rival, Francesco Borromini.

In the neighbourhood of the church is one of the many palaces of Innocent X., spacious Palazzo Pamphili with 1,000 rooms, which is currently occupied by the Brazilian embassy. In one part of the palace is private art collection of Pamphili family, which belonged to the most patrician families in medieval Rome. Pope Innocent X was an important member of this family.

Piazza Navona is now a popular place for street artists, painters and musicians. In the evening the square comes alive with tourists and one can have a unique opportunity to experience a typical Italian night.

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Trevi fountain / Photo by admin

The city sees between seven and ten million visitors annually. On holy years, this number can more than double to well over twenty million tourists. Last year alone, the Colosseum was vested by more than 4 million people while 4.2 million people made their way through the various museums of the Vatican. One of the biggest years in recent history was 2005 when more than 19.5 million visitors from all over the world made their way to the city.

For hundreds of years, the city of Rome has maintained its position as one of the most visited cities in the world. From the days of the vast and powerful Roman Empire to the rise of Christianity, billions of people have stepped foot in this most ancient of cities. However, there was a time when Rome did see a fall in tourism; during the revolutions of the 1870s.

Pantheon, Rome, Italy / Photo by admin

The Vatican Museums are considered to be the 37th most popular destination in the entire world today. The Colosseum on the other hand is ranked at number 39. St. Peter’s Basilica is perhaps the next most visited place in the city. Then of course there is the Pantheon, Forum Romanum, Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain which are well-known hot spots in Rome. Many visitors also stop by the Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’Angelo, Quirinal Palace as well as the Lateran Palace while they are in the city.

There is something romantic about having the opportunity to see some of the oldest manmade structures in the world; some dating back several thousand years.

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