Experiencing Rome To The Fullest

When you think of Rome, the first thing that comes to your mind is romance and history. With ancient historical buildings and fascinating stories attached to them, Rome is perceived as one of the most enchanting destinations of the world. Every art and architecture fanatic desires to visit Rome at least once, and why shouldn’t they? The city stands to every ounce of hype it has received.

Apart from art, architecture and history, there are a lot of other aspects to experience in Rome. Did we mention that Rome has some of the best Italian food to offer? Pizzas, pastas and gelatos are an integral part of Italian cuisine and a must try when in Rome.

Here, we will share a complete guide to experience Rome to the fullest because, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”.

Must Visit Sites

Pantheon

An architectural marvel, the Pantheon dates back to the 7th century. It is bewildering to see the way it still stands intact and how it’s been considered to be the best preserved building in Rome. The symmetry of the high columns in the façade and the proportionate dome has been a curious case of many architectural theses. There is no entrance fee to enter, but getting an audio guide can make the visit more worthwhile.

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Viewing the Roman Forum was termed “fascinating” by a lot of tourists. Providing the view of the ancient Roman ruins, including markets, temples, residences and administrative building, this site will leave you in awe. We guarantee that you will not leave the site until you have pictured or imagined the ancient scenarios and how they must have been.

The Palatine Hill offers a panoramic view of some of the ruins, being one of the most important hills among the seven hills of Rome. This location is considered important, because it is speculated that Rome was founded here by the twins, Romulus and Remus. Do not miss going to the top of the hill to visit the cave where a wolf captured the twins.

Colosseum

Visiting the Colosseum is mandatory when in Rome. Believed to be opened in 80 A.D., it could hold around 50,000 spectators and was the largest amphitheater  at that time. With gladiator fights and animal battles being held in the arena, the underground tunnels held animals and were filled with water during that phase. Since the entry to the Colosseum is not free, you will have to pre-book tickets to skip the long lines and save hours of time. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are located near the Colosseum and can be accessed easily.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is considered to be one of the most favored places to get engaged and reveal feelings due to the myth attached to it. It is believed that throwing one coin will make you return to Rome, two coins will fetch your true love and three coins will ensure your marriage soon enough. The fountain hosts intricate statues with a picturesque baroque church in the background. It is a free site to visit, but is extremely crowded all the time.

Piazza del Campidoglio

Also known as the Capitol Square in English, this ethereal spot was redesigned by Michelangelo in the sixteenth century. It was used as a religious and political  center during that century. The square is surrounded by the Curator Palace, the Senatorial Palace and the New Palace. The symmetry of the space is impressive, with the flight of steps, adding to this architectural value. The New Palace hosts a number of famous art works, one of them is a statue of the wolf that captures Romulus and Remus, known as the Capitoline Wolf statue.

The Spanish Steps

Often used as to take a break or as a gathering spot, the Spanish Steps are located in between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti. Comprising of 138 steps, the Baroque styled staircase carries flowery carvings and overlooks the Barcaccia fountain. This spot is always busy with people sitting, playing music or tourists taking a break from their site visits.

Vatican City

Tourists who visit Rome must go to Vatican City. Recognized as the smallest country in the world, it can be easily accessed from Rome and holds a religious premonition. The Vatican boasts of St. Peter’s Square, which is a huge circular plaza and houses thousands of people during the blessing of the Pope and important church events. It looks symmetrical with around 140 columns on each side and serves as an entrance to the Vatican. Overlooking the square is St. Peter’s Basilica, another pristine monument which adorns beautiful Baroque elements. The iconic dome was designed by Michelangelo and offers a wide view of Rome from the top.

Local Experiences

Now that you have visited the ‘must see’ sites in the city of Rome and devoured all the art and architecture of your entire lifetime at one go, it is time to explore the local Rome and experience the city like a native resident.

• If you have had enough of the traditional art styles and paintings, you can take a visit to a lot of corners in the city where you can find amazing street art. It is impressive to note the effortless blend of modern art with old art, thriving to bridge the gap. You can hire a Vespa and look for graffiti around the city with the riding being an experience in itself.
• You can take cooking classes from Nonnas and learn the traditional way to make pasta from scratch. They will add in a few recipes for sauces to match the pasta. A few pizzerias also offer pizza making classes which could turn out to be an awesome experience. You can also consider taking a gelato making class in traditional Roman gelaterias.
• Another thrilling experience would be visiting the Catacombs of Rome. These were real cemeteries in the olden days and can get scary for the claustrophobic.

In one week in hand, you can experience Rome to the fullest, without regretting leaving any experience behind. Even if you can’t cover everything, it’s always better to return to this historical and artistic city.