They say that there are certain sense memories we carry with us through out our lives. I always thought that was a beautiful idea. However; it had never happened to me. At least, not until I returned to Italy. We were on the train, looking through the watercolors of the country side at 300 km/hour. I could feel the warmth of the sunflowers through the window. We arrived at Termini and I was immediately struck. I was home. Again. I am an American. I am proud to call myself such. Yet my heart, and probably my soul are made of Italy.
Rome is one of the best-known cities in the world and the list of things to see and do here are almost endless. Your first contact with the Eternal City should be walking the streets of the historic center to better acquaint yourself with what Rome has to offer.
Rome is one of the world's great cities. Steeped in over 3,000 years of history it is also vibrant and beautiful. In the Eternal City you will find remnants of every civilization that existed here. Seven layers of the same city, seven hills holding magnificent monuments, seven kings that started this beautiful adventure called Rome. There is only one thing more breathtaking than Rome during the day and that is certainly Rome at night.
When people think of travelling to Italy one of the first places they think of visiting is Rome, and while the Eternal City should definitely be experienced once or twice, the country has so many other beautiful spots to choose from. If you want to experience the real Italian way of living, if you wish to immerse yourself in genuine a Italian countryside, if you crave the intensity of Italian small towns, real people, and authentic food then you should consider choosing somewhere other than Rome for your Italian vacation.
People living in Rome are accustomed to open air markets and their bustling shopping experience. Traditionally, tourists visit the historical places of any region they are visiting and look for the architecture, museums, sightseeing and alike. However, I believe that for a tourist it is a complete cultural experience and a chance
In the world today few things are free. Even water, the definitive gift from nature, comes at a cost and many multinational corporations rake in billions by bottling the stuff. Except in Rome, a city whose history has always been linked to its water supply, and where free, clean water is a way of life. Many are familiar with Rome’s famous fountains, but few seem to realize that the water coming from the fountains is not only free, but clean and drinkable. So when you’re in Rome next, be sure to take a sip from the waters of the Eternal City!
If you're like me you've dreamed of seeing Rome like a movie star, staying in the Grand Hotel and dining in the best restaurants. But if, like me, you don't exactly have a rock star budget fear not, there are less expensive ways to enjoy Rome. In many ways these cheaper options give a better feel for the real essence of the city.
If you are visiting the ancient city of Rome why not stop to see the Castel Sant'Angelo, the mausoleum of the Emperor Hadrian? Named for the gorgeous statue of the Archangel Michael on the roof, today the building is the home of the Museo Nazionale de Castel Sant'Angeo. Erected on the shores of the Tiber the structure is located close to the Vatican and was once used as a military fortress.
Rome is a very good choice for a trip if you are a single woman. The city is quite safe overall and offers a range of entertainment and excitement that can satisfy all your needs.
EUR is one of the most beautiful and modern residential areas of Rome. It was commissioned by Benito Mussolini during the fascist era and was originally known as ‘Quartiere Europa’ (Europe’s Quarters, or E42), but is better known as E.U.R. – Esposizione Universale di Roma (Universal Expo of Rome). Its modern and rationalist architecture makes it one of the most outstanding living areas of Rome, some even call it the Vancouver of Rome! This 32nd area of the city, is the only self-administered neighborhood in the city of Rome (E.U.R. SpA).
The Tiber ( Il Tevere ) Many think that the Tiber is yellow because it became an open sewer over the centuries. Well, believe it or not, the Tiber may be a natural blond, and its a lot less polluted than many other European rivers. As a matter of fact, the Tiber is the main ecological gateway for various animal and plants species throughout the Lazio region. Over 1300 plant species - a good 45% of the region's biodiversity - belongs to the Tiber. The river is a lot better off than his European brother, the Rhine, in which not even the bravest fish would dare to live. Meanwhile the Tiber abounds with carp, eels and even mullet, which, coming from the sea swim upriver feeding on the river's leftovers.
Rome's Termini train station is Europe's second largest station, only Paris' Gare du Nord, sees more travelers. The name derives from the nearby ruins of the Baths of Diocletian, hence the name ‘Termini’ from 'Terme' for baths.
The official opera house of Rome was originally known as Teatro Costanzi, from its founder Domenico Costanz., In 1928, the theatre was bought by the Rome’s City Hall and became know as Teatro Reale dell’ Opera (Royal Opera House). Today it is known simply as the Teatro dell’Opera. Of course not only operas are featured, but also ballets and other major cultural events are held at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma.
Basilica Sanctae Miriae supra Minervam is a minor basilica located in the ‘Pigna’ district – Piazza della Minerva, near the Pantheon – and is considered the only Gothic style church in Rome. It holds the remains of St. Catherine of Siena, proclaimed a 'Doctor of the Church' in 1970. Also the painter Beato Agelico, proclaimed the universal painters patron (1984), Cardinal Pietro Bembo (writer and humanist) and Medici Popes: Leo X and Clement VII rests in the church.
Have you noticed that peculiar pavement of dark cube-shaped stones that the roads of Rome are paved with? These stones are called ‘sampietrini’ and the treacherous space between one another make them a high-heeled lady's worst nightmare. As for the drivers: hit the brakes on a wet sanpietrini pavement, and you'll wish you had ice-skates instead of wheels. Most of Rome’s historical center and main streets, are paved with Sampietrini since, having space between one another, allows the soil to breath. It also adheres itself, perfectly to the ground’s shape and, being of solid volcanic rock, can withstand heavy loads of traffic.
The Synagogue:This massive building was erected between 1901 and 1904 and designed by V. Costa and O. Armanni. The synagogue stands in the area in which the old ghetto used to be before being demolished by King Vittorio Emanuele II after Italy became united (1870). The king rebuilt the ghetto and gave full Italian citizenship and civil rights, to Rome's Jewish community. Since old examples of other similar structures were not available, an Assyrian-Babylonian style was chosen for the new synagogue. One requirement was that the Temple had to be seen from all the highest points of Rome. Today a Jewish museum is also located in the Synagogue.
Rome is a very mysterious city, as we all know. In a period of 27 centuries, of solid, uninterrupted, urban city life, ghosts became part of the city's history. Some are more famous than others, but wonder abounds in these noble palaces, monuments and forums, tied to the events of their past, still looking for eternal rest. The most famous ghosts of Rome certainly belongs to Beatrice Cenci. A beautiful, young, girl who lived toward the end of the 16th century, belonging to one of the oldest noble roman families. Accused, along with all her family, of murdering her vicious father, she was beheaded in 1599, in the square of Castel Sant’ Angelo.
