December 31, 2013/ altair / European Vacations

Take advantage of the best airfare to Italy and go to the “Eternal City” with Altair Travel!

Have your very own Roman Holidays! Be prepared to step into the world’s largest open air museum. Modern and old, past and present – go side by side. Be prepared to be amazed! Rome will seduce you. Rome will surprise you. Rome will hardly leave you indifferent whether you are in Rome for 3 days, 3 weeks or 3 months.

“Eternal City”

Rome was not built in a day and it cannot be seen in one, either. But if your time is limited, allow at least four days seeing all of Rome’s major attractions. You will not run out of things to do and you will still feel like you are leaving too soon.

No doubts, Rome is one the most beautiful cities in the world. Rome is a romantic place for honey-moon, favorite holiday destination, and city of fashion. It is one of world’s most photogenic cities: the Vatican, St Peter’s Square, Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo, the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Colosseum…

Every year millions of tourists come from around the world to admire the Eternal city. Rome today is one of the most important tourist destinations of the world, due to the incalculable immensity of its archaeological and artistic treasures, the beauty of its panoramic views, the majesty of its magnificent parks, as well as for the charm of its unique traditions. Rome is the 3rd most visited city in the EU, after London and Paris, and receives an average of 7–10 million tourists a year, which sometimes doubles on holy years.

Situated on the River Tiber, between the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, Rome, the “Eternal City”, is the capital and largest city of Italy. It is the famed city of the Roman Empire, the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita (sweet life), the Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain. Rome, as a millennium-long centre of power, culture and religion, having been the centre of one of the globe’s greatest civilizations ever, has exerted a huge influence over the world in its c. 2,500 years of existence.

The Historic Center

The Historic Center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With wonderful palaces, ancient basilicas, grand ruins, opulent monuments, ornate statues and graceful fountains, Rome has an immensely rich historical heritage and cosmopolitan atmosphere, making it one of Europe’s and the world’s most visited, famous, influential and beautiful capitals. Today, Rome has a growing nightlife scene and is also seen as a shopping heaven, being regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world (some of Italy’s oldest jewellery and clothing establishments were founded in the city). With so many sights and things to do, Rome can truly be classified a “global city”.

Rome is a major archaeological hub, which contains numerous ancient sites, including the Forum Romanum, Trajan’s Market, Trajan’s Forum, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon, to name a few. The Colosseum, arguably one of Rome’s most iconic archaeological sites, is regarded as a wonder of the world.

Rome contains a vast and impressive collection of art, sculpture, fountains, mosaics, frescos, and paintings, from all different periods. Rome first became a major artistic centre during ancient Rome, with forms of important Roman art such as architecture, painting, sculpture and mosaic work. Metal-work, coin die and gem engraving, ivory carvings, figurine glass, pottery, and book illustrations are considered to be ‘minor’ forms of Roman artwork. Rome later became a major centre of Renaissance art, since the popes spent vast sums of money for the constructions of grandiose basilicas, palaces, piazzas and public buildings in general.

Rome is also widely recognized as a world fashion capital, seating at the world’s 4th place. Major luxury fashion houses and jewellery chains, such as Bulgari, Fendi, Laura Biagiotti and Brioni are headquartered in the city. Also, other major labels, such as Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Versace have luxury boutiques in Rome, primarily along its prestigious and upscale Via dei Condotti.

Roma Pass

If you will be staying in Rome for at least 3 days, consider purchasing the Roma Pass. The cost is €25 and entitles holders to free admission to the first two museums and/or archaeological sites visited, full access to the public transport system, reduced tickets and discounts for any other following museums and sites visited, as well as exhibitions, music events, theatrical and dance performances and all other tourist services.

Italians are very fond of their landmarks; in order to make them accessible to everyone one week a year there is no charge for admittance to all publicly owned landmarks and historical sites. This week, known as “La settimana dei beni culturali“, typically occurs in mid-May and for those 7 to 10 days every landmark, archaeological site and museum belonging to government is accessible and free of charge.

Shopping

Rome has excellent shopping opportunities of all kinds – from brand-named clothing and jewellery to art and antiques.

Food

Rome is full of good restaurants with attractive settings. However, no one location can be recommended: some of the best places to eat are in the most unpromising locations while well-situated restaurants can often live on their reputation rather than the quality of their food. Many of the good restaurants in Rome are hard to find, but a good tip is to go where Italians live and eat. Restaurants in guidebooks can be good but prices can be inflated because it is more than likely a “tourist trap.”

Most pizza restaurants serve it only in the evening. Try some of the fried things like baccala (battered salt cod) for a starter, followed by a pizza for a really Roman meal. Roman pizzas tend to be very thin crusted. Avoid the tourist areas where you will often pay double for a badly reheated frozen pizza.

Look for a gelateria with a big plastic sign with a big ‘G’ on it outside. This means it has a guild association and will be good quality. Remember that it costs extra to sit inside. There are a few signs to keep in mind: “Produzione Propria” (homemade – our own production), “Nostra Produzione” (our production), “Produzione Artigianale” (production by craftsmen). If the colors seem dull and almost ugly it is probably natural, the bright colors being just a mix. Keep in mind, Italians usually won’t queue, but if they are in line for gelato, get in line yourself, you may have hit the jackpot.

Because Rome is such a huge tourist draw

Because Rome is such a huge tourist draw, choose the date for your trip carefully. The best times of the year to visit are April, May, and late September through October. In the depths of summer, the heat and the crowds make the city nearly unbearable. August in particular should be avoided because this is the month that the entire country of Italy seems to go on vacation. Traveling too late or too early in the year can also be risky because the opening hours for many attractions are shorter, and some are closed completely.

Save on your airfare to Rome when you book charter flights to Rome today with Altair Travel!

Save even more when you book your Rome airfare and hotel together!

Book you very own Roman Holidays with Altair Travel!

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