Rome Holidays
The city is absolutely crammed full of treasures, which are not hidden, but popping up all over the city for all to see. There is so much to uncover here and often, tourists will return again and again to see the sites that they didn’t manage to squeeze into their last holidays to Rome. As the old saying goes; ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. And it certainly can’t be seen in a day either.
Holidays in Rome are ones to be savoured. Take your time and really discover the history and charm of the city (as well as the delicious pastas and coffee!)
Rome attractions
With a wealth of historical sites and museums to be seen, Rome is certainly not lacking in attractions. But there are a few famous sites that all Rome holidays should incorporate.
Rome boasts some of the most spectacular museums in the world and that becomes clear when you pay a visit to the Vatican Museums in Vatican City. These museums display works from the fascinating collections built up by the Roman Catholic Church.
On route to the Vatican Museums, you will come across the Sistine Chapel. This really is breathtaking with Michelangelo’s work on the ceiling of the chapel being particularly spectacular. You will also come across the Stanze della Segnatura during your trip to the Vatican Museums. Here, you will see frescoes painted by Raphael including the Adam and Eve ceiling fresco. This is a must for any holidays in Rome.
No holidays to Rome are complete without a visit to the Colosseum. This amphitheatre sits in the centre of the city and is considered to be one of the best works in Roman architecture. The Colosseum is stunning and is one of those sights that has to be seen to be believed. This construction originates from 80 AD and was used for gladiatorial contests as well as other spectacles. The outside of the Colosseum is breathtaking enough but go inside for a tour and see the fascinating history come alive.
As if the Vatican Museums are not enough to get your minds boggled, there is also the collection of Musei Capitolini to explore. The Musei Capitolini is a group of art and archaeological museums located in the Piazza del Campidoglio (designed by Michelangelo) which sits on Capitoline Hill in Rome. Here, you can see ancient Roman statues, inscriptions and artefacts as well as jewels and coins.
Eating in Rome
Of course, all holidays in Rome will involve bowl after bowl of pasta. But the pasta here is in another league. There’s something really special about the food in Rome. The locals use simple ingredients with strong flavours and they tend to follow the seasons so the food here always tastes fresh and of high quality. Spaghetti carbonara is a particular favourite in the city and you won’t taste carbonara like this anywhere else in the world.
You will also find gnocchi dishes and artichokes are also commonly used in Roman cooking. If you want to try something truly authentic then rigatoni alla pajata is the dish for you. This classic dish is normally only served in the traditional trattorias. Pajata is actually made from the intestines of a calf that has only been fed on milk. The milk is left in the intestines and when they are cooked, this milk becomes a creamy sauce. The pajata are then cooked in a tomato sauce and served with pasta. It may not sound appealing, but as they say, ‘when in Rome...!’
Weather in Rome
With its typical Mediterranean climate, Rome enjoys some hot temperatures. In fact, the summer months can be so hot that the city used to be completely shut down in the summer, but now, with the influx of tourism, Rome stays open throughout the year.
Between April and June and September and October, the city enjoys pleasantly warm temperatures which tend to climb from around 20 degrees to 26. These are popular months for tourists visiting the city as temperatures in August can become uncomfortable, sometimes exceeding 30 degrees. If you do choose to go during the hotter months, then you will certainly make use of the drinking fountains which are dotted around the city.
Transport in Rome
BIt can be difficult to travel around in Rome as the traffic is notoriously heavy so hiring a car is not normally preferred by tourists. The metro system is also not as large as it is in most cities and consists of two lines; A and B. However, this is currently being expanded to provide a more comprehensive service. There is also a bus and tram network as well as a trolleybus operating in the city.
Things not to miss in Rome
1. Borghese Gallery is a gallery which should be on your to do list in Rome. Here, you will find a large collection of the Borghese paintings and sculptures which include collections of Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian as well as ancient Roman art.
2. The Spanish Steps are situated between the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti. This is the longest and widest staircase in Europe and consists of 138 steps. Plenty of tourists try to climb them every year during Rome holidays, but be warned; they are steeper than they look!
3. During any holidays to Rome, you need to set time aside to see the spectacular Trevi fountain. This work of Baroque art can be found between the palaces in the historic part of the city. You can hear the sound of the water before you even reach the fountain and legend has it that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, you are sure to return to the city.
4. The Pantheon is a stunning ancient structure which was originally built as a temple to the gods. It now functions as a Catholic Church and the dome like structure is a famous landmark in Rome.
