Rome, Italy

Nearby areas in Rome, Italy

Ancient Rome

This centro storico (historic district) is where you find all the famous ruins that define Rome. The Coliseum, the Forum, Palatine Hill, the Pantheon and so on form the infrastructure of what was once the capital of the greatest empire the world has ever known. Ancient Romans walked - a lot - and you'll see this reflected in the compact area that was their home, much smaller than today's sprawling city. The streets are narrow and the piazzas are airy; except for the grandeur of the buildings, you could easily believe it had never been more than a small provincial town, rather than the most powerful city on earth.

Vatican City

This independent and tiny city-state - also known as The Holy See - across the Tiber, is the center of Roman Catholicism, with the Pope as its sovereign leader. It is the smallest country in the world and it is also very likely the richest, relative to its size. There are no natural resources, but it has an astonishing collection of priceless art collected over the 6 centuries of its existence. Despite its religious foundation, the Vatican has had its fair share of scandal and intrigue, which add an interesting twist to its appeal. St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and many other significant, glorious sites lure history buffs, art lovers, and pilgrims.

Trastevere

One of the last of the old, authentic rioni (neighborhoods) in the city, this neighborhood is populated with genuine Romans, some of whose families have lived in the area for centuries. During the day, it mostly has the busy look of any small Italian town, with people shopping, chatting, drinking their espressos, and boasting about their children. In the evening, it throngs with people "a passeggio" (walking around) and eating in the many excellent restaurants that serve Roman cuisine as genuine as its people. This neighborhood is really a village of its own within the larger metropolis, and the people even speak their own dialect.

For more information about Rome, Italy

Ente Provinciale per il Turismo

Via Parigi 11, Roma 00185, Italia; Phone 011-06-48-899-253.

New York

630 Fifth Ave, Suite 1565, New York, NY 10111, phone 212-245-4822, fax 212-586-9249.