Rome

Flights: into Rome generally come through Rome International Airport (also known as Fiumicino International Airport, FCO). Then it is on to Rome central via Taxi -or- from the train station above the arrivals area via the Leonardo Express Train to the city @ Roma Terminal Station (circa 30 minutes, buy tickets from auto ticket machines or main ticket counter, validate tickets prior to boarding the train using the yellow obliteratrici machines). Roma Pass: provide great value for direct entry (skips the lines!) in to 1 or 2 listed museums (includes Colosseum, Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo, Galleria Borghese with pre-booking, etc.) and use of city METRO subway trains (excludes Leonardo Express Train). Get this pass/card from any participating Museums and sites or Tourist INFOPOINTS. http://www.romapass.it/ Travel within Rome: is generally easiest via METRO subway trains or walking (especially in the central historic areas). Safety: Do be on the lookout for pickpockets and con-artists at all tourist spots and in crowded areas, trains and buses. Roman Art and Sculpture: for a quick introduction to the Baroque art masterpieces you will encounter in this tour, watch a few of the short videos here .. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1/baroque-italy/v/gian-lorenzo-bernini-pluto-and-proserpina-1621-22

Subway line A – Flaminio stop Piazza del Popolo, a magnificent roman square with the twin churches of Santa Maria di Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. It is one of the most famous squares of this city. A great Egyptian obelisk marks the center of the square. On the North side of the square is the gem of Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, a symbol of the square. Enter this church and seek out the two most beautiful paintings by Michelangelo Merisi - known as Caravaggio: the Crucifixion of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul.

The Spanish Steps is a hangout for romantics. Admire its beautiful staircase and, before it, the charming sinking boat fountain by Bernini. The 138 steps of Piazza di Spagna (decorated with colorful flowers) will take you to Trinità dei Monti, a small and very sober French church from which you can see the view of the square. The yellow house on the right of the steps (from the square), now the Keats–Shelley Memorial House, was the abode of the great English poet John Keats. Take a moment to enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful area.

Let's head down the next shopping street, Via dei Condotti. All the chic shops of the capital - Gucci, Prada, Bulgari, Hermes, Louis Vuitton - and many others await you along with their fabulous window dressings. Feel free to duck into one of the coffee places here for a lunch bite or a shot of italian espresso! When you have had enough of this busy street, swing to the left (and possibly around) and meander your way to up the hill to the next location .. the Quirinal Palace.

Here at the highest hill in Rome is the Quirinal Palace, one of the official residences of the President of the Italian Republic. Have a look inside this place if you are into art and history. To the front of the Quirinal Palace is the Constitutional Court, where you will find a wonderful view of the city. From behind the obelisk of Castor and Pollux, take the downhill road (via della Dataria) to reach the famous Trevi Fountain.

Here is the most famous Trevi Fountain. I love the atmosphere here. Spend a couple of moments. Toss a coin into the fountain and make a wish!

Galleria Alberto Sordi, until 2003 Galleria Colonna, is a shopping arcade in Rome named after the actor Alberto Sordi. It has a beautiful interior. Check out its glass ceiling.

In Piazza Colonna stands the beautiful Column of the emperor Marcus Aurelius. This monument was made to celebrate his victory over the Barbarians. The Palazzo Chigi is a palace and the official residence of the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic.

Seat of the Italian Parliament.

Church of the patron, saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesuits. Enter and see its beautiful ceilings. Decorated with religious scenes and flashy colors. Notice the false dome at the center of the Church, designed with a perspective trick.

For lovers of museums, the Museum of Palazzo Venezia is recommended.

The Altare della Patria ("Altar of the Fatherland"), also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II or Il Vittoriano, is a monument built in honor of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. Romans have given this highly conspicuous and beautiful place a number funny nicknames, including la torta nuziale ("the wedding cake"), la dentiera ("the set of false teeth"), macchina da scrivere ("the typewriter") and la zuppa inglese ("English soup" dessert, a trifle). Climb the steps and reach the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Subway line A – Flaminio stop Start your second tour day from here.

The street has very ancient origins.

One of the oldest monuments of Rome and has been subject to much controversy and criticism (see http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/arts/design/25paci.html ). The Ara Pacis, a more than 2,000 year old "Altar of Peace" that was used (paradoxically) for sacrifices.

Continue along the Tiber river and you will get to Castel Sant'Angelo. Visit the museum here. (This place is also accessible by Metro A – Ottaviano stop).

One of the most beautiful squares of Rome. Here is: 1. the fountain of Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) by Bernini and 2. the Moro fountain (Fontana del Moro) by Giacomo della Porta Spend a some time here to soak in the atmosphere and visit the stalls in the area.

Another very beautiful square.

A nice square to visit if you happen to be in the area.

Take Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the Pantheon

(optional) some ancient Roman ruins

The Pantheon is a huge ancient Roman building completed around 126 AD. It is one of the best preserved monuments of the capital. The spherical structure of the Pantheon is, perfectly balanced and open ceiling. At the top of the monument you can still read the original dedication to Marcus Agrippa, a leading architect of the city. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs". Inside you will find the royal tombs of Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I, Margherita of Savoy, and that of the great artist who was Raffaello Sanzio.

Hear over to this place for some of the city's finest gelato, yum!!

Vatican City is the center of the Roman Catholic Church and home to its head, the holy pope. It is a city within the city of Rome. Within this very small city, is St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. They are home to some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures.

Ideally, approach Vatican City via Via della Conciliazione. Before you is the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica! Alternatively, arrive via Subway line A, Ottaviano and head straight to the next place - Vatican Museums.

Visit the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel in the morning. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the galleries before the whole place is packed jam full of visitors! NOTE: It's is highly recommended that you get your tickets online (weeks/months ahead) to skip the very long lines. To visit all of the Vatican Museums could take 4-5 hours. Take your time and enjoy all the immense wealth of art that this museum has to offer. Finding works of art is enough easy, there are directions through out the place and you can ask for a free map at the entrance.

From within the Vatican Museum, visit the Sistine Chapel, where the election for a new pope still takes place. The chapel is also home to the most famous frescoes by Michelangelo: The Last Judgment and the Creation of Adam.

You might be able follow a tour group through the adjoining passageway from the Vatican Museums over to St. Peter's Basilica, otherwise, its 15 mins stroll over from outside the walls. Inside, St. Peter's are many statues and decorations. To the right of the entrance is the famous Pietà by Michelangelo. Below ground are the tombs of the most famous Popes, from Innocent VIII to Pope John Paul II. Seek out the elevator which will take you up to St Peter’s dome (“cupola”). This saves you about 300 plus steps.

From here, climb the remaining steps up to the top of the cupola. There are fabulous views of the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel and the panorama of the entire city of Rome!

Go visit one or more the many villas in the city.

Note: This place is highly recommended and requires pre-reservations! The Villa Borghese houses the galleria, and is surrounded by the large grounds of the Villa Borghese park, accessible from nine different entrances linked to the central districts of Rome. This villa is one of the largest and is in a most central park of the city. It is a destination for many tours and owes its name to the first residence of Cardinal Scipione Borghese built in XVII century. Getting tickets online and collecting them in advance is essential to visiting the Borghese Gallery, even with the Roma Pass. The Baroque masterpiece sculptures here are incredible, especially Bernini's Apollo and Daphne and Bernini's Rape of Proserpina. Do watch the intro videos mentioned earlier, it will help you to really get an appreciation of the work found here .. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1/baroque-italy/v/gian-lorenzo-bernini-pluto-and-proserpina-1621-22

This is where the largest park in Rome is and is great for walking and taking in a bit of fresh air. You can go around it on foot or by bike. The name of this villa, like the other ones in the city, originates from the country estate of the homonymous noble family in Rome. You can access the park through 7 different entrances.

Villa Torlonia is the newest noble villa of Rome and is surrounded by a beautiful English garden, where Romans love to organize picnics and do a bit of jogging. This park is a little off the classic tours of Rome, but worth a visit.

Start early (to avoid the large afternoon crowds and blazing noontime summer sun) and let's visit the most famous monument of Rome, the Colosseum! Also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was built by the Flavian emperors some 2000 years ago. This was the place of massive gladiator contests when about 50,000 spectators filled the marble-topped seats surrounding this 6-acre arena.

The Arch of Titus is a beautiful monument built by some 50,000 Jewish slaves (who also built the Colosseum) to commemorate the Emperor Titus who conquered Jerusalem and destroyed their temple.

The Palatine Hill overlooking the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus is one of the most famous hills of Rome with much history behind it. With nothing but the barest of rubble left, this place used to be where the huge Imperial Palace was, which showcased the greatness of Rome. The far side of this hill is a view to where used to lie the Circus Maximus where chariots raced.

The Stadium of Domitian (Circus Agonalis) was a place where athletic contests and some gladiator shows were held.

Here are remains of what used to be part of the domestic wing of the ancient and vast Roman Palace. Going up the stairs you will reach the last area of the "Domus Augustana", where you will find the remains of the villas of Augustus, the first and most important Roman emperor.

Here lies the remains of about one-third of the original basilica (also known as the Basilica of Maxentius).

The main square of where Romans would gather during their day.

This has been the political and religious center of government for thousands of years. To each side of the piazza here are where some of Rome's most ancient statues and art are stored, in the Musei Capitolini .