If you only have a day in Rome, Italy, then there are two attractions I would definitely make a point to see. The Spanish Steps are a special place and one site I always visit. I also love the Trevi Fountain and for me it is the heart of the city of Rome.
Tags: best of Rome, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain
Many people visit Rome for the history and culture, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy some of the modern attractions along the way. Below are just some of the modern attractions in Rome.
Stadio Olimpico
Football plays a huge part in the lives of modern Romans and this stadium is home to the city’s largest clubs, Roma and Lazio. Both clubs are giants in Italian football and have hoards of followers who regularly pack the 82,000 seats. Aside from football the stadium also hosts athletics meetings as well as pop concerts and various other events. The stadium has seen many changes over the years and the museum makes fascinating viewing. A tour of the stadium is an opportunity to see a modern stadium in its prime.
Museo D’Arte Contemporanea Roma (MACRO)
Contemporary art has a fitting home here in the MACRO. The modern building in Rome is located close to the main train station in the centre of the city and the artwork has an edge to it which cannot be found elsewhere in the city. The exhibits are visitor friendly with explanations in both Italian and English. The work on display includes paintings, videos, photographs and sculptures.
Museo D'Arte
Via del Pigneto
This area as a whole is a great place to experience the modern and cosmopolitan side to the city. The pedestrianised street is packed with restaurants, entertainment venues, trendy bars and some of the most happening nightclubs in the city.
Tags: Museo D'Arte Contemporanea Roma, Stadio Olimpico, Via del Pigneto
Rome was the home city to one of the most successful empires the ever have existed, and you can still see evidence of this around the city today. Below are some of the best Roman remains to visit.
Forum Boarium
This was the site of the cattle market during the Roman times and still remains in remarkably good condition. As a result of the port which used to exist here there were high levels of commercial activity, meaning it was one of the focal points of the city.
Roman sites
Mausoleum of Augustus
With outer walls of this structure being 5 metres thick it should come as no real surprise that vast amounts of it have survived until modern times. This monument was once one of the most important in Rome, with many of the most significant people in its history buried here. There is not much of the structure left any more, but it is still an intriguing visit.
Forum of Trajan
In its prime, this forum contained libraries, markets and political buildings. The ruins of the forum are one of the best preserved examples in the city of life in ancient Rome, and upon visiting here it is easy to imagine the activity that once took place.
Aurelian Wall
This wall was built to protect ancient Rome from the threat of invasion, and it is a testament to how well the job was undertaken that significant parts of the wall have survived until today.
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Tags: Aurelian Wall, Forum Boarium, Forum of Trajan, Roman Remains
Whilst one can easily get by in Rome without speaking the native language of Italian, for many people the opportunity to learn aspects of the language is a big part of the experience of visiting another country. There are various opportunities to learn the language in Rome, and below are some ideas on how you can do so.
Phrase books – A good way to pick up the basics of the language is to purchase a phrase book, either pre or post arrival, and make an effort to speak in the language as much as you can. You will be surprised how quickly you pick up the key terms and phrases.
Italian Students
Language school – If you are staying in Rome for a number of weeks or months you can take advantage of one of the medium term courses which run in various institutions around the city. You can easily find details of these courses on the Internet, and will also see details advertised when in Rome. Attending one of these courses will help you to adapt to the culture and is also a great way to meet people.
Language lessons – If you are only staying in Rome for a short period of time but want to pick up bits of the language you can enjoy one of the one-day courses, some of which are delivered in picturesque surroundings which add a genuine feel to proceedings.
Speaking to locals – The locals in Rome will appreciate you making an effort to speak to them in their language instead of expecting them to speak in English. It is good fun to speak to people in bars and cafes and test your language skills.
You can learn more about Rome, Italy with the Free Rome travel guides online and via the Rome travel blog for extra articles. Learning more about the Italian culture and lifestyle can also make it easier to understands the language, given the way language and a county’s culture are integrated.
Tags: Free Rome travel guides, Italian language school, Italian lessons, Italian phrase books
Visiting a cafe is a great way to take a break from all of the tourist activity in Rome. Below are just some of the charismatic cafes which can be found in the city.
Caffè S. Eustachio
If you consider yourself an espresso connoisseur you should definitely try out this cafe which can be found just around the corner from the Pantheon. From the outside it may not appear that this cafe has much to offer, but it has developed a reputation by delivering high quality drinks for a number of years.
Caffè Rosati
If in search of a lunch time coffee and sandwich you should definitely consider paying this place a visit. The coffee isn’t of the same standard as some of the cafes in the city, but the privileged location on Piazza del Popolo and good food ensure that it remains a positive experience.
Caffè Greco
A visit to this cafe tends to be more to enjoy the history than to savour the coffee. Being one of the oldest cafes in Rome, Caffe Greco is in need of having a bit of life injected back into it, but perhaps it is the tired and ‘real’ characteristics which make it appealing.
Caffè della Pace
This place never fails to delight the tourist who is looking for a truly Italian cafe experience. The architecture of the cafe, its design, feel and service are all typically Italian and the place just oozes quality.
Tags: rome holidays, Rome restaurants, visit rome
Along with pizza, Pasta is one of the most famous Italian foods and also one of its most famous exports – it’s no wonder then that in Rome is a museum, the Museo della Pasta, which is dedicated to this healthy and diverse food type which offers an interesting and enjoyable experience to anyone visiting the city…
Pasta Museum - Museo della Pasta
For many, pasta is synonymous with Italian cuisine and it accounts for a considerable amount of the food consumed a whole lot within the boundaries of Italy itself, and increasingly, all around the globe.
People all over the world have gradually adopted the culture of eating pasta and preparing home-made to gourmet pasta dishes.
A peak into the Museo della Pasta
The Museo della Pasta is made up of 11 exhibition tours and is packed with information and resourceful displays and videos which make it well worth a visit.
The museum takes you through the journey of pasta over the years from how and when it was first created to its place in the modern society.
Lots of resourceful information at the Museo della Pasta
You can also learn all about how pasta is produced, viewing some of the implements that have been used over the thousands of years that pasta has existed in many different forms.
There’s the opportunity to also learn all about the nutritional values of the different types of pasta, something which adds a different dynamic to what you can take away from your visit.
You can walk around the museum on your own or take advantage of one of the talking tours which run at regular intervals throughout the day. For those who do not speak Italian there is the opportunity to hire headphones which translate the talking tours into various different languages.
So there you have it, for everything pasta, the Museo della Pasta is your best bet, and a trip to Rome is not complete without visiting the pasta museum!
Tags: exhibitions, Museo della Pasta, pasta, Rome tours
When visiting Rome be careful not to get too caught up in the history and culture of the city. Whilst these two characteristics of the city are highly acclaimed, and rightly so, there are plenty of other attractions and activities around Rome to keep you entertained. Below are some of the physical activities which you can enjoy in and around Rome.
Cycling in Rome
This is a great option for getting around the city as you can meander around the various tourist sites and take advantage of the bicycle lanes which are present in many areas of the city. There is also superb countryside and landscape to explore around the city.
Golf in Rome
Rome Golf
For the golf lover, regardless of your capabilities, there are a significant number of courses in close proximity to the city centre. The Parco di Roma Golf Club is probably the nearest to the city centre and was designed by a leading architect. The views of the surrounding countryside are simply marvellous.
La Piscina delle Rose Swimming Pool
This facility has great swimming pools, both indoors and out. During the hotter months the outdoor pool is popular, but not so busy that it ruins the experience. This is the largest public pool in Rome.
Rome Marathon
Rome Marathon is one of the more popular marathons in Europe as it represents the opportunity to take in some of the famous sights and scenes, especially as it starts in St Peter’s Square. Another feature of this marathon is the opportunity to run with some of the world’s leading athletes.
You might also be interested in friends in Barcelona who offer events management for groups, including with activities such as Barcelona burlesque lessons and classes.
Tags: Cycling in Rome, Golf in Rome, Rome Marathon, Swimming in Rome
Sport plays a huge part in the culture of Rome, dating back to the days of the amphitheatre when thousands upon thousands of people would gather to watch events of a whole variety of natures. Whilst the events in modern day Rome may be a bit different in nature, they are still hugely popular. Here are some sporting events in Rome which you might like to attend:
Rugby Six Nations – Rugby is not traditionally an Italian sport but year after year as the standard of the Italian team improves, so does the level of support for this prestigious international tournament. In recent years Italy has started to win a few games and the promise of a more competitive event gives you the perfect opportunity to go on a cheeky holiday.
Horse show
Roma & Lazio Football Club – Football is the most popular sport in Italy and these two clubs are the largest in the city. They share a stadium and both attract massive crowds of people who come to enjoy club football at the world’s highest level. (More on Rome football).
International Horse Show - This highly regarded horse show is held every year in Rome and attracts top standard riders from around the world. The location is wonderful and the competition riveting.
Rome Marathon – If you are the sort of person who likes to be involved in sporting events as opposed to watching then you should consider running the Rome Marathon. There are not many marathons in the world which have such glorious settings.
Tags: 6 nations Italy, Lazio football club, Roma football club, Rome horse show, Rome Marathon
On a recent visit to Rome I decided that I would fulfil a lifetime ambition and visit the Colosseum. I am a huge fan of the modern day equivalent of gladiatorial fighting so I was intrigued to learn more about its origins. Also, I was keen to experience the structure of the Collosseum as it really does provide an intimate insight into ancient life which cannot be achieved through reading books and watching telly.
Colosseum Rome
Upon walking up to the Colosseum a tingle rose up my spine. Despite the fact that when the venue was abandoned the structure was exposed to severe pillagery, it still stands in an unmistakable and awe inspiring state. The arches can easily be made out and the detail of the design is still on view over much of the structure. Immediately upon viewing the Collosseum my mind was filled with visions of the thousands upon thousands of people who would visit the venue to bond over the bloody battles between warriors.
For my visit, I decided that once I had taken time to walk around the exterior of the structure I would invest in a tour to fully appreciate the experience. The tour guide was fantastic and his enthusiasm and obvious passion for the building was contagious, and I have to say the level of knowledge possessed was particularly impressive. What really rounded off the experience for me was the parading of actors dressed in authentic Roman soldier wear. This, together with the pictures being pained in my mind by the stories of the guide, left me in a world of my own and, at least for a minute, I felt as if I was really at the heart of a true Roman experience.
Find more Rome travel guides for free.
Tags: Collosseum Rome, Colosseum, Rome attractions
The city of Rome and its historical setting is a paradise for tourists. A great deal of historical buildings and landmarks are still intact, although some to a greater degree than others. It would be a shame to visit Rome and not take in some of the history on display. Below are just some of the sites of historical significance in Rome:
The Colosseum – A survivor of Ancient Rome, the Colosseum used to play host to the battles of gladiators. This was amongst the most popular event for citizens of Ancient Rome and was regularly attended by the Emperor.
The Pantheon – This was built by Emperor Haden in or around 126 AD as a temple to all gods. It still stands in good condition today and is an imposing and inspirational piece of architecture. (Staying in Pantheon?)
The Roman Forum – This collection of historical ruins used to be the epicentre of Rome’s political, commercial and religious activities. Today you can walk through the remains along the old market square, enjoying the old relics on display and imagining the flurry of activity which used to take place there.
The Vatican – The Vatican is the residence of the Catholic Pope and is therefore one of the most visited and significant religious sites in the world.
Trastevere – Wonderfully picturesque, this medieval neighbourhood has a charm unique to this area. The tight streets and hanging baskets make for an enjoyable and engaging walk.
Tags: Historical Rome, Roman Forum, The Colosseum, Trastevere, Vatican
