Rome, Italy | Travel is the Cure

When in Rome...

Rome – A city with world-class attractions, rich ancient history and friendly locals

What brings me back to Rome again and again is its rich tapestry of ancient history, monuments, emotional and warm people and the iconic food. It’s correct – there is no city like Rome, the capital city of Italy. It is an ideal vacation destination for anyone with a craving for world culture. The things that will attract you the most in the capital city of Italy are the relics of old worshipped gods all scattered across the city and the crowded coffee bars where both young and old hang for an espresso and the latest gossip. I personally believe that Rome should be on the list of every travel enthusiast as it has attractions that tourists want to see, and the cool things they want to do.

Whilst you are preparing for your own vacation to Rome, I hope my tips will not only entertain you but will show you a remarkable aspect of the city that hopefully you have not been told or suggested before. I hope the following tips will make it easier for you to discover this glorious city better and enjoy it to the fullest.

What is the best time to visit Rome?

When planning to travel Rome, choose the dates smartly as Rome is such a huge tourist attraction. The best time to plan a trip to this eternal city is April, May and late September through October. In extreme summers, the scorching heat and the crowd make the city unbearable. August is the month when you should avoid planning a trip as this is the month when the entire country of Italy seems like going on a vacation.

Getting there

Leonardo da Vinci airport, also known as Fiumicino airport (FCO) is the main airport. The airport is located 30 kilometers southwest of the center of Rome. All domestic, as well as international flights, arrive in Fiumicino airport. From here, you can take a train, taxi or rent a car to reach the city.

Where to Stay

If you want to plunge fully into the heart of Rome, I highly suggest you stay in a hotel that is closer to the major attractions. Before you book a hotel for staying in Rome, look at the map and prefer hotels that are east of the Tiber River and west of Station Termini. The most vivacious and the enchanting areas to stay are in the half-mile stretch between Piazza Navona and Piazza Barberini. You will find some of the hotels pricey in this area but you will also find many small family-run hotels nearby.

Where to Eat

Italian cuisine is renowned worldwide with a tremendously rich variety of dishes and ingredients. When you are here in Rome, you should not fail to remember to try limoncello, ice-cream, pizzas or a good cappuccino. The restaurants here have a wide selection of delectable dishes. It is also said that Rome is one of the cities where a restaurant’s house wine is mainly excellent. The busy area just south of the Spanish Steps is tucked with good places to eat. Most of them have an outdoor seating and offer menus containing pasta, pizza, veal, chicken and some seafood delicacies. If you find difficulty in choosing, the best thing is finding out what you want to have and then pick a restaurant based on that.

What to Do

It is a fact! There is always something new and welcoming for the visitors in Rome. Even if I have visited this eternal city many times, still I discover new things again and again. The more time you spend here, the more you want to enjoy and see. If you are visiting Rome for the first time, you should see the main attractions. The must-see sites and monuments include Colosseum and Roman Forum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps. You can see the above sites if you are in a 2-3 days travel to Rome. Besides the main attractions, you can visit museums, and look for mesmerizing day trips. You can also indulge in some outdoor activities such as head to a beach, get pleasure from a picnic, bike-ride or walking tour in Rome.

Cleary there is so much to do in Rome, so I recommend you to plan your trip for at least a week’s time. You will have ample time to explore most of the attractions and have a feeling just like the locals. Some practical tips I would like to mention here is to pack some comfortable shoes. You should also pack something smart clothing and accessories as the locals here love to look smart and most of them dress up good when going out in the evening.