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