Travelling to Rome

The Ancient Roman Forum
(photo by valix)

Millions of people travel to Rome each year. It is an amazing place full of history and culture. Here are ten tips to remember when traveling to Rome:

Tip One: The main thing to remember when traveling to Rome is to wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of walking to do while sightseeing in the most romantic and beautiful place on earth and you don't want to be doing it in painful shoes. You'll also want to make sure you pack that camera. Thank heavens for digital now where you don't have to pile in tons of film.

Tip Two: if you don't want to stand out like a tourist, bring nice clothes. People in Rome dress nice all the time.

The Fountain of the Moor, Piazza
Navona (photo by valix)

Tip Three: Be mindful of the time you are traveling. Some times of the year are bigger tourist attractions than others. Easter is a main event in Rome and if you travel during that time be prepared for a lot of congestion as well as a lot of spectacle. The hottest times of summer can be really hard to handle and it is wise to avoid traveling to Rome in August when the temperature and congestion in the city make the heat unbearable.

Tip Four: Give yourself time. This is not the place for a rush vacation. There is so much to do and see in Rome that a week is a minimum amount of time to spend.

Tip Five: Get a taxi to get you to places you can't walk to in Rome. You can rent a car but this is not for the faint of heart. The streets are narrow and local drivers are fast. It can be very disconcerting to anyone not used to the country. If you plan on driving to other areas of Italy then renting an auto is a wise choice for the day.

The Roman Pantheon
(photo by valix)

Tip Six: When leaving for Rome or returning home get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Security checks take time and you don't want to miss your flight.

Tip Seven: Make an itinerary. There are so many things to see and do in Rome that you can easily miss out on things because you forget. From the magnificent Spanish Steps to the awe inspiring Coliseum you don't want to miss a thing.

Tip Eight: Invest in a good map. It is easy to get lost in the streets of Rome as you are paying attention to the sights and eating all the great food.

Tip Nine: Look around for local groceries to buy things like bottled water. On the street at local vendors a bottle can cost you as much as five dollars (3 Euros). It's a good idea to stock up on snacks for the hotel room too if you are looking to save a few dollars.

The St. Peter Basilica in Vatican
(photo by valix)

Tip Ten: Check out tour packages. They can really help you manage your time in Rome to its best advantage and insure that you see everything there is to experience.

The last and final thing to remember is to relax and really savor the atmosphere of the Roman aura. From the glory days of the Roman Empire to the modern environment that still holds on to the grand architecture of the past if you plan it right you will never forget the experience of your Roman holiday.