Viator Rome

Rome is brimming with historic ruins, works of art and wonderful museums. Wandering around one of the world’s most delightful cities will lead you to ruined temples in the middle of the road, intricately sculptured fountains on tucked-away squares, and beautiful Baroque churches. The Eternal City is just begging to be explored, but as well as visiting its main attractions there are many unsung sights to discover. Here are some ideas about what to see, and some tips to help you get the most out of your visit.

When in Rome it’s tempting and very easy to stay in the Centro Storico, the historic center. But as they say, when in Rome do as the Romans do, which means you need to cross the river and head to Trastevere. This is the heart of real contemporary Rome. Trastevere is the place the city’s inhabitants come in the evenings, to the bars and restaurants that give the narrow cobbled streets such vitality.

It might seem a bit macabre, but when you consider all those tortured saints in Italian art then going to see forms of crime and punishment at The Criminal Museum in Rome suddenly seems less weird. Housed in an old 19th century prison building, the place has an authentically oppressive feel, especially as you have to pass through a security check just to go inside. This is because the police still use some offices within the building.

Rome is beautiful and knows it. It basks in its glorious history just inviting you to take its photograph. One of the most splendid aspects are the rooftops – all those spires and domes and jumbled, eccentric angles of apartment buildings – but how do you get up there to take your shot? Can you even get up there? Well, it might cost you a bit in food or wine but it will be worth it. And nothing will beat watching the sunset over the roof of Rome. Here are a few terrace bars and restaurants worth checking out.

1. Easter. April 8th is Easter Sunday in 2012 and both Sunday and Monday are public holidays in Italy. Rome is a very religious city and home to the Vatican so it’s a special time here. The Pope says Mass to hundreds of thousands of people who gather in St Peter’s Square at 10.15am on Easter Sunday.

It’s not really surprising that the oldest public museum in the world is in Rome. Or that it sits on Capitoline Hill, one of the seven hills Rome was founded on. Nor that it holds some great masterpieces.

On the 18th of March 2012, strap on your running shoes, pin on your entrant’s bib and perform like a gladiator. Well, sort of.
The Rome Marathon shuts down the streets and attracts thousands of runners.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the Italians invented coffee. They have certainly made it their own by naming all the various ways to drink it: cappuccino, espresso, macchiato, caffé latte. But actually coffee beans as a source of energy were first noted in Ethiopia in the 13th century.

Two very good reasons to head to Rome during the Christmas season are that the first Christmas mass was said in Rome at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the city’s five large basilicas and the biggest dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and also that here are located the Vatican and the Pope, head of the Catholic Church in the world and thus epicenter of celebrations of the birth of Jesus.

Every traveler knows that the best places to get answers about anything is a local! We’ve invited some of our travel experts to give us their insider information on what to do in their city. Who better to get advice about Rome from than a true Roman!