Rome Travel Essentials - Vacation and Travel Planning for Rome Italy

Rome Introduction: Today's Rome, Roma, is a vibrant and lively city with reminders of its past everywhere. In Rome you will encounter ancient monuments, medieval and Renaissance buildings and fountains, and great museums. Rome is the capital of modern Italy and boasts many fine restaurants and cafes, good nightlife, and lively streets and squares. Although Rome is a huge city, its historic center is small.

Rome Location: Rome is on the west in Central Italy, not far from the coast. Modern Rome's main port is Civitavecchia, where cruise ships docks to visit Rome. See Civitavecchia to Rome Transportation for information about getting to Rome from the port.

Transportation to Rome: The best way to arrive in Rome is by train. The main station, Stazione Termini is close to the historic center of Rome. There are several outlying stations, too. You can also arrive by bus near Termini station or in Piazzale Tiburtina in front of the Tiburtina train station. Rome's airport Fiumicino is a major international airport and visitors from the United States often arrive here. You can take a train into Rome from the airport. You'll probably want to avoid driving in Rome.

Public Transportation in Rome: Rome has an extensive bus and metro system (Metripolitana) so you can easily get almost anywhere on public transportation. Be aware of pickpockets when riding in crowded subway cars. There is a good transportation map, Roma that's worth buying if you plan to use public transportation. Look for it in tourist offices, newspaper stands, or souvenir shops.

Rome Tourist Information Offices: There is a tourist office in the train station that can help you find a hotel and gives out maps and information. Most staff at tourist offices speak English. The main office is on Via Parigi near the Piazza della Republica.

Rome Festivals: During the summer there are music and cultural festivals. The Festa di San Giovanni, June 23-24, is an important festival with dancing, music, and food. Around Christmas, there are nativity scenes in many churches and there are religious festivals and processions during the week before Easter as well. The Spanish steps are a good place to go for the Spring Festival in April.

Pickpockets in Rome: Be aware of pickpockets especially in the train station, on the metro, and in crowded tourist areas. Pickpockets may be groups of children, people trying to get you to read something, or even a woman carrying a baby in a blanket or shawl. As in all crowded places and big cities, you should always carry your credit cards, money, and passport in a travel pouch under your clothing.

Rome Hotel and Lodging Recommendations: Places I've stayed in Rome and recommend.
Daphne Inn - a small, personal bed and breakfast with two central locations. They even give you a cell phone so you can call them if you need help or suggestions.
Hotel Residenza in Farnese - nice 4-star hotel in a great location near Campo di Fiori.
Hotel des Artistes - large but quiet budget to moderate accommodations near the train station. The private rooms are very nice and there are dorm beds available, too.
Palazzo al Velabro Residence - Apartments, good for longer stays and families.
User-rated hotels on Venere (book direct) - I often book hotels on Venere.

Rome Weather: Rome has a Mediterranean climate. It is sometimes unpleasantly hot in the summer. Romans will tell you the best weather is to be had in October. They even have a word, ottobrata, for those bright, sunny, Roman days. April and May, or Late September through October are the best times to visit. For average daily temperatures and rainfall month by month, see: Rome Italy Weather.

Rome Attractions: Just walking around in Rome can by entertaining and you will can something interesting almost anywhere. Here are some of Rome's top attractions.

• St. Peter's Basilica - Basilica di San Pietro is the largest Roman Catholic building in the world. It houses important works by Michelangelo and Bernini. St. Peter's Pictures
• Vatican Museums - Musei Vaticani, the largest museum complex in the world, house art spanning 3000 years from the Classical and modern world. Here you will find the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's frescoes. Vatican Museum Pictures
• The Colosseum - Colosseo is the largest monument in existence from Imperial Rome. It is a huge amphitheater that housed the fierce gladiator and wild animal fights. A good approach is along the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Rome Colosseum Pictures
• The Roman Forum - Foro Romano is one of the city's most important archaeological sites. It was the focal point of Republican Rome and has monuments from 900 years of history. Best of all it's free!
• The Pantheon is Italy's best-preserved ancient building, It started out as a pagan temple and then became a church. There is a nice piazza in front of it that makes a nice place for an evening drink (although pricey).
• The Capitoline Hill is a great place to get a view of the Roman Forum. The focal point of the hill is the grand Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michelangelo. There are two important museums housing an impressive collection of sculptures, paintings, frescoes, and mosaics.
• Piazza Navona is a lively piazza ringed by upscale cafes. At its center are three lavish fountains. Piazza Navona
• The Villa Borghese houses the Galleria Borghese, a large collection of famous sculptures and paintings.