rome

December 5, 2022

5 Reasons to visit Rome

Rome, Italian capital is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world. Once was the center of everything, this city has grown so much and still those places stood as the highlights of travel and tourism. here are the 5 reasons to visit Rome.

Destinations / Italy / Rome
updated June 2023

Reason 1. Colosseum

no introduction needed. It is a massive area which gives you feel of ancient times of when Gladiator fighting was a common game organized here. about 2000 year old amphitheater is the largest ever ancient arena the world.

Reason 2. Vatican City

Home of Pope and also the center of Roman Catholic Church, it is the holy lands and can be visited from Rome only, and the Basilica is often crowded with tourists. St. Peter’s square in front is a huge open piazza from where people enter. another fact is, It is the smallest country in the world.

Reason 3. Roman Forum

In front of Colosseum, Roman forum ruins are the perfect place to explore roman history. Moreover, here you can see Gardens and hills, Palace of Augustus, and temples. and views of Rome. it can easily take half of your day.

Reason 4. Fontana di Trevi

Shining water falling from the sculptures in The Trevi district of Rome. On the other hand, This fountain are one of the oldest in Rome and most popular tourists spot. People make a wish and throw a coin in the waters. Also remember, the place is often crowded and it’s hard to get a space for photographs. The fountain looks beautiful during night lights.

Reason 5. Pantheon

Built by Romans as a temple of all the Gods, now it served as a Church. This Marvelous structure is in the historic center. This temple makes you feel small because of its high columns and a huge dome. Pantheon is two-thousand-year-old, well preserved and visitors favorite.

March 2, 2019

10 Best Cities to Visit in Europe

Rome

Rome has historical treasures. As a result, the city is often flooded with tourists in summers. Rome is filled with history and architecture from its Ancient Roman period. Rome grown on the banks of river Tiber. The city also has Residence of Pope and Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City. Some of the other attractions are Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi fountain, Pantheon. There are many beautiful churches in the eternal city.

Paris

Paris is always been among the most visited city in Europe. French capital has its popular everchanging fashion, French cuisine, historic monuments. Some attractions are such as Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and more. Paris also hosts famous sports events such as Tour de France and French Open.

Venice

Grand canal flows through the city. It is the biggest canal of Venice. St Mark’s square is the central city square and always busy with tourists around it. In the center, Basilica di San Marco and Campanile di San Marco stand as a landmark and main attractions. Other than that, Church of San Giorgio Maggiore on the island opposite of it, Rialto bridge and many others. Venice also hosts Biennale di Venezia.

Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital city of Catalunya. It is one of the most visited cities in Spain. City has beautiful beaches on Mediterranean Sea in the east, and hills on the west. Barcelona is famous for Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia church and also for Football Club Barcelona. Furthermore, it has many Gothic style buildings, and contemporary architecture with beautiful landscape.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a Capital city of Netherlands is up to the mark with its unique identity. Amazing architecture, canals, and bridges, nightlife and discipline will surely make a mark on your trip experience. Rijksmuseum contains large collection of Dutch history and arts. Van Gogh Museum, Famous Anne Frank Huis and much more places to explore.

Berlin

German Capital has intensive history. Berlin was most effected during world war, resulting its partition. Berlin has many locations showcasing remains of Berlin wall. East side gallery is most important one. There are murals painted on the wall remains and displayed on a sidewalk along the river.

Berlin has many attractions for visitors. Glass dome on the top of Reichstag building, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Museum island among others. Observation deck on the top of Berlin’s Tv tower is spectacular.

Prague

Prague is very colorful and beautiful city. Charles Bridge is the one of the main attractions in the city. Its connecting old town to castle. Old town square is one of the centers of the city. The square is in the historic old city area. This part of the city is always lively, with beautiful buildings around it. Prague castle complex lies on the hill overlooking the city, it’s one of the biggest castle complexes. The castle is the office of the president of Czech Republic. Food and beer is often suggested as must try in Prague.

Vienna

Vienna is the capital of Austria and the biggest city in the country. It’s among the most beautiful cities in the world. Vienna developed itself on the banks of Danube river, and under the influence of imperial capital of Hapsburg empire. The city is also acknowledged for its Imperial palaces, like Schönbrunn.

Most of the city is on the west side of the Danube, it has always been a center of culture and art; theatre and opera are still vibrant in the city. Beautiful streets with remarkable architecture and historical public and government buildings are lying in the central district of Vienna known as Innere Stadt and a ring road is following it to the canal. Vienna is a big city and it has many attractions for visitors everywhere.

Athens

The Ancient Greek city grown up to become of the best travelling destinations in the world. Parthenon, Temple of Athena, Acropolis, Theatre of Dionysus among other ancient ruins are on the hill rising up in the center of the city. Contemporary city has its cuisine and culture very vibrant. Athens is a big city and homes a large percentage of Greece population. There are many fantastic restaurants, cafés and bars. City has its lively nightlife too.

Milan

Milan is known as the fashion capital of the world. It is the capital city of Lombardy region of north Italy. Milan is financial hub of the country, it has many restaurants and verities of shops. Milan is undeniably a place for shopping. Via Montenapoleone, Via Dente, Via Torino, Corso Buenos Aires are the few to name.

Piazza del Duomo is the main city square, facing cathedral of Milan, known as Duomo is always lively throughout the day. Along with that there are many beautiful buildings in Milan including Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” in the church Santa Maria delle Grazie. The city was damaged heavily during world war and since then Milan has developed to become one of the world leaders in finance.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Friends Traveller — *Milan*

February 16, 2019

7 best cities to visit in Italy

1. Rome

Rome is the largest city in Italy, also known as the eternal city. It was the capital of ancient Roman empire and is the capital city of Italy. Rome is filled with history and evidences from past. Rome has grown 30 km from Tyrrhenian Sea in the central western Italy. Residence of Pope and Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City are on the west of river Tiber, while Colosseum and Roman Forum are on the eastern side of the river.

There are many attractions for visitors in Rome, which makes the city busy all the time. It is a big city and well connected by public transport system. Roma Termini is the central railway station and operates train across country, also works as a transport center. Rome has many museums and for tourists, there are many restaurants and cafes around everywhere in the city.

2. Venice

Venice lies in the north eastern part of Italy and it’s the capital city of Veneto region. The island is in the Adriatic Sea and connected by a road and a rail bridge. Santa Lucia station is in the island, which connects trains from Mestre in the mainland Italy. Just outside are ferry terminals, because of no roads in Venice so, water transport is the main transport system of the city.

Grand canal flows through the city, is the biggest canal, and is connected to the many other small canals of Venice. St Mark’s square is the central city square and always busy with tourists around it. In the center, Basilica di San Marco and Campanile di San Marco stand as a landmark and main attractions. Other than that, Church of San Giorgio Maggiore on the island opposite of it, Rialto bridge and many others. Venice also hosts Biennale di Venezia.

3. Milan

Milan is known as the fashion capital of the world. It is the capital city of Lombardy region of north Italy. Milan is financial hub of the country, it has many restaurants and verities of shops. Milan is undeniably a place for shopping. Via Monte Napoleone, Via Dente, Via Torino, Corso Buenos Aires are the few to name.

4. Naples

Known as Napoli in Italy, this city gives perfect feel of the other half of the Italian culture. Naples is the prominent city in the Southern Italy, lies in the north of Gulf of Naples. It is nearby Mount Vesuvius, which is the main attraction here. Volcano was responsible for destroying ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. It’s an hour from the city.

Naples is blending with its history and architecture with contemporary architecture and designs. City is also popular for its underground city, also for margherita pizza, and sea food. Naples is also a busy seaport in the region.

5. Florence

Florence also known as Firenze in Italy, is the capital of Tuscany region of Italy. It’s known for birthplace of Renaissance. Home to Michelangelo’s David in Galleria dell ‘Academia, and most popular is Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or Duomo of Florence, because of its huge dome.

Firenze has Arno river flowing through Florence. Piazzale Michelangelo is on the top of the hill in the south of the river. It’s one of the best places for famous panoramic views of Florence. It also has a bronze replica of David. Apart from that Ponte Vecchio (old bridge), Palazzo Vecchio and Medici palace are also popular among visitors. Florence has history spots everywhere.

6. Bologna

In the city center Piazza Maggiore has many cafés, restaurants around it, as well as Basilica di San Petronio, Fontana del Nettuno(Fountain of Naptune), and many other Renaissance structures. Not too far from center, the famous University of Bologna, it was founded in 1088. It’s known as the world’s oldest institution and still actively enrolls many students every year.

7. Turin

Turin lies under the Alps in the northern region of Piedmont. It’s decorated by parks and contemporary architecture. Its also growing as commercial and business city. Although its popular for its football culture by local team Juventus and by Fiat industries.

Po river flowing through the city, which is the dominant river in the northern plains of Italy. Turin has historical relevance too, with the presence of The Royal Palace used to belong with Savoy family. It has Egyptian museum of Turin, which is only second after Cairo. National museum of cinema, National museum of Automobile are among attractions in Turin.

July 5, 2018

City in a day: Rome

Things to remember

Rome is Italian capital city. Italy is a part of Schengen zone as well as Eurozone. Which means open all road borders with France, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Austria. Currency is Euro and time zone is UTC+1.

Moving in the city

Rome has public buses and very well connected metro service. its a big city and most of the tourist attractions are within center, old city narrow streets are comfortable for walking too.

What to see in a day

1. Vatican City

The Holy Place and also house of Pope. Its better to get in line as early in the morning as possible, line keep gets bigger to see the Vatican museums. you can also take one of the local guides available in your language.
The Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and huge St Peter’s Square is part of the city. there is no entry fee for coming to the St. Peters square. its all open for everyone.

2. Piazza Venezia

It is a big square facing Altare della Patria. A memorial white marble monument. its not a pedestrian square, but a node of many streets. in front there is a old city and markets. on the left Via(road) dei Fori Imperiali leads to Colosseum within a kilometer.

3. Colosseum

Most important iconic spot of Rome. this place take you in to the era of gladiators. due to the major attraction it is always crowded. and you can face an hour in a ticket line sometimes. but other option is take a guide nearby who got you a ticket too. or pre-book it for time saving.

4. Roman Forum and Palatino

Collective ruins of early Roman urban developments, the place will not impress you today but its history and story will, once you start identifying it significantly. If you have a ticket for Colosseum, it also covers in same ticket within 48 hrs. there is a metro station at Colosseum.

5. Pantheon

hidden between the small streets. this temple makes you feel small. one of the best in condition structure of ancient Rome. its free for public, a hangout place often very crowded in summers

6. Piazza di Spagna

A good public hangout place. famous for 18th century Spanish steps. this place is often busy, but find a place to sit on the steps and relax with gelato. there are many cafe around. its well connected by metro underground.

7. Fontana di Trevi

Before completing the day its good to make a wish at Trevi fountain and throw a coin in the water. Trevi fountain is one of the main tourist attraction in Rome.

Remember

Rome is a big city. It will be hard to go everywhere and spend enough time. But can also cover by proper management. The city has many restaurants and cafes. people here speak English better than in north Italy.

‘Are you visiting a city for 24 hrs or just for the daylight, are you staying here the night or have a flight layover. Friends Traveller will suggest you few of the best options.’

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