Viator Rome

Chances are good that you know some things about Rome. It’s a famous city, and it’s been written about by countless people over the years. But it’s also a good bet there are some things about the city that would surprise you.

Let’s be honest – one day in Rome is not enough. Even if you accept that you won’t see everything or do everything that’s on your list, one day is still only going to give you the smallest taste of one of the world’s most fascinating cities. If one day is all you have, however, then that’s absolutely better than not seeing Rome at all.

Summer in Rome means, for the most part, higher prices, higher temperatures, and larger crowds. The tourist high season in Rome doesn’t actually correspond to just the three months of summer – the high season now lasts from May through September, and even experiences a bit of a dip in August. But despite the drawbacks of a summer trip to Rome, it’s generally the easiest time for people to travel (especially those with kids), and remains the most popular time of year to visit Italy.

Rome is a city that certainly likes to have a good time. That famous Italian penchant for “la dolce vita” – the sweet life – applies to just about every facet of life, no matter the time of day. Romans like to let their hair down in the evenings, but don’t make the mistake of thinking “nightlife” always means “raucous party.”

Shoppers headed to Rome may find something interesting in just about any boutique in the city – the ability to say, “I bought this in Rome!” is always appealing – but serious fashionistas should make a beeline for Via Veneto. Of course, you’ll need to be prepared for the designer prices to go along with the designer goods, but if you’re unwilling to part with that kind of money you can always enjoy the window shopping, which is completely free.

Just as Dan Brown’s thriller “The Da Vinci Code” led readers on a race against time around Europe, so did his “Angels & Demons” draw a route for visitors to follow around Rome. Fans of the book were checking off sites from the story long before the movie came out, and interest in the setting got even stronger after the film. You can still find people tracing Robert Langdon’s steps through Rome as he solves riddle after riddle – and the good news is that when you’re visiting the “Angels & Demons” sites you don’t have to worry about a ticking time bomb.

It’s been said that one could easily spend weeks (if not months) in Rome and still not see and do everything. The Italian capital excites and educates at every turn, offering something for every kind of traveler. If you want to make the most of a brief trip to Rome, however, there are several great day trip options you can consider.

Savvy travelers know that the shoulder seasons are usually the best times to visit popular places – and that’s also true in Rome. The city is never really “empty” of visitors, since it’s so incredibly popular, but visiting Rome in the Spring can be a good way to experience a slightly less crowded city that also is neither roasting hot or bitterly cold. Here are some ideas of things to do in Rome in the Spring.

You’ll repeatedly hear that eating your way through Italy is a must – but in a city as popular as Rome, you’re as likely to run into overpriced and not-very-good restaurants hoping to take advantage of ill-informed tourists as you are to find a real gem of a restaurant. One way to avoid falling prey to a bad food experience is to take a culinary tour in Rome early in your stay. Then you’ll be armed with the knowledge you need to make educated eating decisions – and the tips from your expert local guide.

Rome might be at its most popular in the summer months when the weather is conducive to spending long hours outside, but savvy travelers know that visiting touristy cities in the off season has major benefits. During the winter months, Rome’s weather is certainly colder, but those months also offer seasonal attractions and treats that aren’t around in the summer. Not only that, you’ll find that things like airfare and hotel rates are cheaper in the winter, often by quite a bit.