Monday, January 18, 2010

Top Things To Do When Visiting Rome

By Taylor Martinerin

The Eternal City, referencing Rome, is thousands of years old. One of the greatest thing about Rome is how the new and the old often intersect in interesting ways. With a city so rich in history, it's really difficult to narrow down the potential list of sites to see down to a bare handful. Starting with the many tours offered, travelers get a better understanding of the rich history and culture of the area.

There are a couple of different types of tours you might consider. They offer tours as a group or individual personal tours. Make sure you find a reputable tour company so you can gain the benefit of a real expert's suggestions. The advice of a local or long-time resident can really give an added dimension to a tourist's understanding of the sites that they visit.

One great thing about being with a tour is that the guide should have a really good grasp of the city's layout, helping you get an idea for when you strike out on your own later. Many of the tours fill up fast so you may want to schedule your tours as soon as you purchase your tickets to make sure you get what you want. Research the many organizations that offer the tours so you can get a reliable, knowledgeable, and ethical tour guide.

The more impressive Roman ruins are often a bit away from Rome proper, such as Ostia Antica. Smaller ruins such as Ostia Antica aren't as famous as places like Pompeii, so they won't be as crowded, but are still historically interesting. Other, more modern locations such as Frascasi, will let you get a feel for smaller town life in Italy. You can enjoy spending the day, enjoy the local white wines, or just have lunch before going back to the city.

There are probably hundreds of other things to do and see while in Rome. Keep in mind that you don't have to see everything - many people find themselves coming back to Rome year after year. So just enjoy yourself, and don't worry too much about seeing everything in one go.

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