Rome Vacation Guide & Travel Information

About Rome

Rome is more than a fascinating European capital city; it is a spectacular encyclopedia of living history. Rome is halfway down Italy's western coast, about 12 miles inland. It has been said that every road in Rome leads to eternity. The city is vast, though the historic center is quite small. There is a steady stream of spectacular festivals, exhibits and events for the whole family. Guided walking tours and bus tours for every energy level and budget provide great assistance in becoming acquainted with the past and present of this amazing city. The public transportation is excellent and offers the convenience of buses and subways at a nominal cost.

Whether the visitor is seeking a quiet, romantic café on the Campo de’ Fiori; a fast food McDonald’s with air conditioning on the Piazza della Repubblica or a cozy and intimate family operated restaurant with one or two exquisitely prepared selections of the day on the Piazza Santa Maria, there is great food for every taste.

The city boasts a wide variety of shopping opportunities. Spanish Square presents high fashion selections while the more modestly priced clothing is to be found on the Via del Corso and Via Tritone. North of Spanish Square are areas famous for their antique shops and art galleries. Porta Portese hosts a huge flea market every Sunday morning.

We constantly update Rome vacation deals and flights + hotel packages for Europe. There are great last minute Rome vacations or if you just need a hotel, check out our discount hotels in Rome. You can also book popular sightseeing tours in Rome and save your vacation time.

Italy's capital city is served by Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport, located around 16 miles (26 kms) south-west of Rome city centre, and Rome Ciampino Airport, situated 10 miles (15kms) south-east of Rome. Getting to Rome is easy - as well as the international airport, Rome has excellent bus and train links with hundreds of destinations throughout Italy and the rest of Europe.


Buses : Buses are the main form of public transportation. Orange buses run by ATAC have low cost, frequent service around the city. Blue COTRAL buses cover the region and the suburbs of Rome. Driving and walking in Rome are both hazardous. As a result, the buses are crowded and traffic is slow. Bus operates Mon-Sat 5:30 AM – 11:30 PM Night buses on key routes run less frequently from midnight – 5:30AM. Late night buses have a conductor who sells tickets.

Metro : There is a subway system with two main lines: A and B, it is primarily a commuter service and does not travel close to the city center attractions. Rome Metro

Taxis : Licensed taxis are yellow and white with a “taxi” sign on the roof. Be sure to use only these. When hailing a cab, be sure the meter is set at zero. Drivers are not supposed to stop on the street to pick up fares. They are supposed to wait at taxi stands. Stands can be found at Termini, Piazza Venezia, Largo Argentina, Piazza S. Sonnino, Pantheon, Piazza di Spagna and Piazza San Silvestro.

Trains : Most trains arrive and depart from Stazione Terminal, which is conveniently located for most of the central city. Train information: 147 88 8088 (toll free). Rome Public Transportation

Car : Driving a car around Rome is not recommended - most of the city's historic centre is closed to normal traffic and you parking permit are required for parking in the centre.

Trams : Trams do not cover much of Rome's historic centre though some stop near the Vatican, Colloseum and Trastevere.

Rome is full of attractions for all ages. Below is a list of some suggested things to do in Rome. You can also book some of these attractions online and save your vacation time.

Vatican Museums
The Vatican museums are famous for their collections of Greek and Roman sculpture. The museum complex is housed in the papal palace built during the Renaissance for Pope Sixtus IV, Innocent VII and Julius II.

Vatican City (Città del Vaticano)
By the Lateran Pact of 1929, Vatican City was established as the smallest independent sovereign state in the world. It has its own government, its own statutes and its own head of state – the Pope. It covers just a few acres of land, but it holds within its boundaries the residence of the Pope; the site of St Peter's Basilica; the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. www.christusrex.org

Colosseum (Colosseo)
This magnificent structure was originally lined with travertine, a local Roman limestone and could hold 55,000 spectators. The original had 80 arched entrances/exits. One of these was used for the return of the triumphant gladiators from the arena. Another was named for the goddess of death and was used for the removal of corpses of defeated gladiators.

Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
The area known as the Forum is, in fact, only one of a number of imperial fora, or meeting places, to be found in Rome. Corresponding to the modern piazza or marketplace square, it was the center of the ancient city. Here every aspect of daily business was conducted from religious ceremonies to the buying and selling of vegetables. It was also from here that the Roman Empire was governed.

Trevi Fountain
The sea god Neptune and his tritons are shown in stormy and calm seas. A coin thrown over one’s shoulder into the waters is believed to guarantee a return visit to Rome; a second coin is tossed to make a wish come true. The proceeds are collected daily and donated to charity.

Pantheon
Marcus Agrippa's Pantheon is one of the world's most perfect architectural creations: a perfectly proportioned floating dome resting on an elegant drum of columns and pediments. The interior is breathtaking. The center oculus is 29 feet in diameter. It lets light and rain fall onto the marble pavement as one gazes heavenward through it.

Sistine Chapel (Capella Sistina)
The chapel was named for Pope Sixtus IV and was built in 1475-1480. Frescoes adorn the walls and make the visit to it an unforgettable experience. It also contains an amazing collection of Renaissance paintings. The ceiling which Michelangelo painted while lying flat on his back on a scaffold over a period of four years has been called a “wonder of the world.” The ceiling was cleaned and restored recently.

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