Visitors Guide to Rome Italy

Rome is an ancient city filled with history and grandeur. It’s also a thriving modern metropolis and home to 2.7 million people with over 4 million tourists visiting each year. It is a city of tradition and innovation, a place where tourists and professionals can rub shoulders in the shadow of the Colosseum and enjoy delicious food and drink in an open-air cafe. The overlapping layers of ancient and modern culture weave together to create a unique experience that any vacationer should appreciate at least once and some will want to enjoy again and again.

History of Rome

Rome was the leading power in Europe for over 700 years, and the Roman empire once stretched for 2.5 million square miles, reaching from Britain to Arabia. Throughout the Middle Ages it held immense political power due to being the home of the Pope. It remains the center of the Catholic church today, and thousands of people gather to listen to the Pope speak or lead prayers from the Vatican.

Rome’s contributions to modern society are plentiful and varied. It was a key contributor to the invention of modern civilization, and much of modern democracy is founded in the government of the old Roman republic. For many centuries, Latin was the language of educated people, and many medical and scientific terms and principles were founded by Romans throughout history. It was also the center of cultural revolution during the Renaissance, with numerous famous artists and scientists practicing within the city, including Michelangelo.

Modern Rome

Rome is the capital of Italy and thrives as a cultural epicenter. The city boasts numerous excellent universities and other learning programs, including La Sapienza, which is the oldest university in Europe and second oldest in the world. Rome has the highest GDP of any city in Italy and the lowest unemployment rate in Europe, making it an excellent place to live and work.

The economy in Rome depends primarily on service industries and tourism as well as technological industries, research, banking and construction. Three of the world’s largest companies are housed in Rome: Enel, Eni and Telecom Italia. Rome is also at the center of the nation’s film industry, and it has a vibrant music and entertainment scene.

Location, Transportation and Weather

Situated in central Italy, Rome acts as a hub for visitors to the country. Rome is just 117 miles away from Naples and 244 miles from Venice, so it’s easy for tourists to travel to the other iconic cities from lodgings in Rome. Rome has two airports and numerous railroads to make traveling between cities easier. Within the city itself, walking is the best mode of transportation, although Rome has a subway, bus system and numerous taxis available as well.

Like the rest of the country, Rome enjoys mild Mediterranean weather year-round. The city is best to visit during the spring and fall when the weather is most pleasant, although there are more tourists there this time of year than in the summer and winter. Traditionally, August is the least busy month of the year, but many shops close during this time due to the extreme late-summer heat. Although airfare and lodgings will be less expensive, the number of closed businesses may make this a less-than-ideal time to visit the city.

Cuisine

Italy is known for wonderful food, and Rome certainly delivers numerous gastronomic delights. The pizza here is traditional Italian-style: thin-crusted and lightly topped, fired in a wood-brick oven and served hot and fresh. Of course, there is also plenty of pasta and fresh baked goods to be had, as well as strong espresso and numerous chocolate confections. It would be a sin to leave Rome without tasting a gelato, which is a type of rich, smooth ice cream and local specialty; you can find a cart serving cups of gelato on nearly every street corner.

Numerous nearby vineyards supply plenty of wine to local wine bars, and distilleries and breweries are a common sight as well. One new trend in the area is the book bar, which provides visitors with the opportunity to mingle, talk with authors and even browse a selection of books while sipping drinks. There are also plenty of clubs and all-night bars for those who enjoy a more vibrant nightlife.

What to Do in Rome

There is so much to see and do in Rome that it’s nearly impossible to include everything in a single journey. In fact, Rome is filled with so many places to explore that there’s always something new to see; even people who live there or visit often can enjoy new experiences from shopping and fine dining to enjoying the local parks and gardens.

Most tourists who travel to Rome come for the historical elements of the city, and there are many to be had. Rome contains a large collection of museums, archaeological sites, historical monuments, sculptures and architecture. The city is also home to public parks and cafes for relaxing and people-watching, and there’s an active night life for people who enjoy clubbing and entertainment venues.

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