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Rome : Overview & Top 10

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Rome

Although functioning as a vibrant, modern capital akin to any in Europe, the unique appeal of Rome is that the entire city is a vast, 3,000-year-old, indoor-outdoor museum. In every quarter you’ll find ancient monuments, art treasures and timeless architecture in churches, galleries and protected ruins. Home to the world’s smallest city, the Vatican, Rome has religion at its heart and history in its soul – a city that dazzles and inspires visitors time and time again.

  • A bitter red apéritif, best diluted in soda water, or lemonade for a sweet drink.

  • Campidoglio by Night

    With the subtle yet dramatic lighting, the three palaces on this hill take on an almost magical beauty at night (see Musei Capitolini). Make your way up the gentle incline, circumambulate the piazza once or twice, then head across and down to imbibe the vision of the Roman Forum and Colosseum, which are also evocatively floodlit.

  • When Emperor Charles V visited Rome in 1536, Pope Paul III was so embarrassed at the Capitol’s state that he enlisted Michelangelo’s help. Work started 10 years later, but Michelangelo died long before its completion. True to his design, however, are the double flight of steps for the Palazzo Senatorio, the addition of Palazzo Nuovo, the fine façades and placement of ancient sculptures (see Campo de’ Fiori to the Capitoline).

  • Rome’s famous outdoor fruit, vegetable and fish market in one of the most authentic medieval squares (see Fahrenheit 451).

  • This “field of flowers” bursts with colour during the morning market, and again after dark when its pubs and bars make it a centre of Roman nightlife. The dour hooded statue overlooking all is in honour of Giordano Bruno, a theologian who was burned at the stake here for his progressive heresies in 1600 during the Counter-Reformation.

  • Friendly, clean and in a great location. The roof terrace has views of the rooftops, spires and domes of this ancient quarter. Inside, the decor is replete with touches to remind you that you are in a medieval building: mirrors, frescoes and an exposed ancient wall.

  • The “Field of Flowers” occupies what was, in ancient times, the open space in front of the Theatre of Pompey. Since the Middle Ages, it has been one of Rome’s liveliest areas, a backdrop for princes and pilgrims alike. On the darker side, it was also the locus of the Inquisition’s executions, as attested to by the statue of the hooded philosopher Giordano Bruno, burned here in the Jubilee celebrations of 1600.

  • Here they sell their own line of fountain pens, covered in silver plating, as well as other writing and calligraphy utensils and beautiful leather-bound notebooks.

  • A traditional neighbourhood restaurant. Try risotto alla pescatore (seafood risotto).

  • The artist’s studio walls are embedded with fragments of statuary.

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