| v> | | | | aqueducts and along the Via Appia which is the |
| This article summarizes impressions from my first visit | | | | ancient road on which the Imperial Roman army |
| to Rome | | | | returned in triumph after successful campaigns! Parts |
| Rome is a fantastic place! The entire downtown area | | | | of Via Appia are preserved, i.e. you ride on 2000 year |
| is like a huge museum. Wherever you look, wherever | | | | old pavement!!! |
| you go there are historic buildings, fountains, statues, | | | | Walking is a very good way to see Rome, but be |
| monuments, palaces... And history is so alive in Rome. | | | | prepared for distances and heat. It is very easy to |
| Makes you feel priviliged to visit this great city and | | | | find nice outdoor places to sit and have a rest and |
| see what has been one of the most important cities | | | | get something to drink along the road. Be careful if |
| in our western history. | | | | you have a limited expense account, at some places |
| Streets are narrow and winding. The building plan is | | | | they will charge you 5 euro for a small bottle of |
| somewhat confusing; so many streets, and many of | | | | water or 7 euro for a small beer! Also note that |
| them change their name along the road. Even with a | | | | there are public drinking fountains everywhere in |
| good map it can be quite hard to find the way. | | | | Rome. The water is said to be of good drinking |
| There are tourists everywhere! The most renown | | | | quality. Buy a bottle of mineral water when you leave |
| sights are crowded, long lines of people waiting for | | | | the hotel in the morning and refill it from the drinking |
| admittance. And the typical tourist traps lots | | | | fountains as you move through Rome. |
| of street salesmen offering souvenirs of all sorts. We | | | | Taxi services are relatively inexpensive and easy to |
| had an exciting experience at one occasion; someone | | | | catch. There is also a large number of city buses that |
| shouted out the single word Polizia (=Police) | | | | run frequently more or less everywhere. The subway |
| and all street salesmen and their goods disappeared | | | | is good but there are only two lines crossing each |
| within seconds. Absolutely incredible, it happened so | | | | other at Stazione Termini. So far it has been |
| quickly one could almost believe they turned invisible. | | | | impossible to expand the subway system; wherever |
| A good start is to take a bus tour and get familiar | | | | they want to dig a new tunnel they run into some |
| with the general plan of the City. There are several | | | | archeological finding. |
| tour operators that run guided tours from Stazione | | | | Anyway, Rome is a beautiful city with a friendly |
| Termini. Buses are open-roof so bring a hat to | | | | atmosphere, lots of historic sights, good restaurants |
| protect from the sun! There are also bus tours that | | | | and a lovely climate so it is well worth a visit! |
| run to the outskirts of Rome, e.g. to catacombs, | | | | |