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Old 02-08-2008, 04:19 PM   #2 (permalink)
ftuley
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 132
Smile Re: advice for rome trip in May

A close friend of mine had a guided tour given by Through Eternity Cultural Association I think was called Vatican tour, so I would highly recommend this tour company to anyone. She said the speech from Shakespeare on the spot where it was originally delivered, will send chills up and down your spine.
The Vatican Museums is a must see, definitely purchase a guide book of some kind. There is so much to see and so many rooms that you will not enjoy as much if you don't have some sort of reference to learn the hidden secrets with.
The Pantheon you will love, the outside is starting to show its age (2000 years) but the inside is beautiful marble. Its a trip to walk into a building that is 2 millenia old.
Make sure to visit Raphael's tomb. Its under the statue of the Madonna of the Rock.
You can also visit Basilica di San Clemente, constructed between 1110 and 1130, this church of San Clemente is not one, but three churches built one above the other, with ruins dating from the earliest Christian times. In a city with such an amazing history and awe inspiring sites, San Clemente's exterior, compared to the many other churches, is unassuming. It is the treasures that lie within, that topped everything else that Rome has to offer.
Roman Forum (Foro Romano), the commercial, political and religious center of ancient Rome, which features the Arch of Septimus Severus, Temple of Saturn, Arch of Titus and the House of the Vestals. With this one you need a guide book or an audio tour at least (audio tour is downloadable from audible.com for free, along with a map) ,if you arent joining one of the numerous paid walking tours. If you dont have a guide of some description, most of the time you wont know what you are looking at, so it will detract from the experience a bit.
You also will like the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), certainly the most famous and photographed fountain in Rome, legend has it that whoever throws a coin into the pond will return to Rome.
The Barberini Palace, Roman palace worth visiting for its splendor and collection of art, especially its gigantic ceiling fresco of clouds and swirling figures by Italian painter-architect Pietro da Cortona.
Exploring Ancient Rome with a guide will most positively enrich your visit-that is of course only if you choose the right company!
Plan ahead and you will avoid wasted time in line and get the most out of your experience in beautiful Rome, this eternal city, with its monuments and 3000 years of history is a symbol of the history which evolves along the time.
I`m sure you will have a fabulous experience!!!
And I recommend looking here for the best Hotels and prices Hotels in Rome Italy , the Hotel Raphael, Hotel Navona, Hotel Columbia, Hotel Artemide are all good places to stay but the finest is the Hotel Ponte Sisto, located on the banks of the Tiber and offering views of the river, ancient Rome and St. Peter's, but Hotel Palamento is probably your best bet if you want one of the cheap hotels in Rome.
I hope this helps with your trip to Rome, have a great time!

Try using the "build your trip" flight comparsion tool here:Airlines to Italy it will
search multiple websites and get you the best price.

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