Wednesday, November 21, 2012

10 Things to Do When in Rome

There are lots of fabulous places to see in Rome and it is difficult to know where to start. You will probably need to visit the city more than once in order to see the ones you miss the first time round. It is a good idea to compare travel money exchange rates online to make sure you get the best available rate. After all, you want to make sure you're getting the best value for your money to enable you see those that are undoubtedly finest sights the world has to offer.

Taking a Tour Bus around Rome 

By far the best way to see any city is by hop-on/hop-off tour buses and this applies to Rome. It's the quickest way to see the sights in a hurry. After that, you can take your time deciding where you would like to spend a little longer. A bus tour gives you an insight into the layout of the city so you won't feel lost and the tour will enable you to think about what you might like to see first.

Rome's Top 10 Visitor Attractions 

The Coliseum has a thrilling history. It was here that the most violent fights took place when gladiators fought one another and condemned prisoners fought wild animals. This was one of Rome's most famous attractions and, 2,000 years later, it still is but in a far gentler way!

The Pantheon is one of the city's most iconic sights. This well-preserved monument was one of the Western world's most influential buildings. Today it is an exhilarating experience to pass through its bronze doors.

The romantic Trevi Fountain almost fills a whole piazza. Depicting Neptune's chariot with sea horses, the statue represents the sea's moods. Remember to throw a coin in the fountain to ensure you will one day return to Rome.

In Vatican City, St Peter's Basilica outshines all the other churches. Spectacular, enormous and wealthy, it is a monument to artistic genius.

The Vatican Museums were founded in the early 16th century by Pope Julius II. The complex is housed in over 5.5 hectares and consists of two palaces.

The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna are the perfect place to people watch. There are great views and wonderful frescoes by the artist Daniele da Volterra.

On the pretty Via del Boschetto is Il Posto Accanto, a family run restaurant. Although small, this homely place is made memorable by its fabulous displays of vegetables and fruits. The cooked food is great too and everything is home made.

The Chiesa del Gesu is the city's most famous Jesuit church. The faaade is impressive but the marble and gold interior is truly awesome.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is the only Gothic church in Rome. Inside are two superb frescoes and the tomb of Pope Paul IV. Cristo Risorto by Michelangelo is to the left of the altar.

Public executions used to take place in the Piazza del Popolo. A neoclassical piazza of much elegance, this grand piazza has been altered extensively throughout the ages. At the southern entrance are the twin baroque churches built by Carlo Rainaldi.

This article was written for SO Switch - finding you the best deals on travel insurance.

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