|
by LAURA TABOR
Lifestyles Reporter
First piece of advice: stay somewhere near the old section of town. I don't know how expensive it gets, but make sure you are within walking distance of some crumbly ruins. It just adds to the experience to wake up to that side of town.
Rome is a city full
of old things - me and my travel companions didn't even really plan
what we were going to see the first day, and ended up seeing some of
the most impressive things I've ever seen in my life just by walking
around.
Also, we
ended up eating some of the best gelato and pizza I've ever eaten in my
life. Gelato, for those who are only ice-cream eaters, is milk-based
instead of cream-based, but still is frozen into a dense, sweet,
delicious treat. Learn the Italian words for your favorite flavors, and
also give Strachiatella a try - it is like the mostincredible version
of "chocolate chip" that you can imagine.
Some
amazing things you already know are amazing: The Coliseum. This
building is just stunningly large and intense. Consider walking around
this neighborhood at night - there are plenty of tourists, so it's
safe, and the ruins and buildings are lit up with multi-colored lights,
creating a haunting, awesome effect that is not possible in daylight.
The
Vatican. St. Peter's Basilica is impressive on both religious and
artistic levels - even if Catholicism is not your thing, this is some
pretty important historical stuff. Check out the popes that are
entombed here, and also try going up into the dome - it's even more
beautiful up close.
Trevi
Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon? While beautiful and
impressive, I wouldn't budget a lot of time for these. They are swarmed
with tourists and merit a picture and a continued walk.
There
are also less well-known things that are absolutely adorable. During
the day around the Castell d'Sant Angelo and during the night along the
River (Tevere, or Tiber) there are open markets selling food of every
kind, crafts and gifts. Find some excellent olive oil or a handmade
shawl in one of these areas. They are a little bit more pleasing to the
eye than the postcard shacks that you find along the road to the
Vatican and by Trevi Fountain.
Don't
plan an entire week around Rome, but don't skip it either - the city is
so steeped in history that you really feel like you've turned back time
at some points, at least until a taxi driver nearly ploughs you over in
the narrow streets.
Trackback(0)
 |
Exclusive 
TrackBack URI for this entry
Show/Hide comments
