R O M E
Travel Guide


Photo Courtesy of Access Italy

Rome is the bustling heart of Italy. A modern capital in every sense of the word yet steeped in history, with a wealth of art, architecture and religion to suit every holidaymaker, traveler, academic or pilgrim.

Over 2,000 years of history have left their mark in all parts of this stylish metropolis. Tradition has it that the city was founded by Romulus on Palatino one of the 7 hills on which Rome is built near the Tevere river, which guarantees that wherever you are you are never far from a stunning view of the city.

The most essential thing in Rome is a good pair of shoes! This is not a city where you take the bus to see the different attractions.

The whole place is like a huge, vibrant, open-air museum. Italians are a friendly people, expect to be offered help if you are standing on a street corner with a map in your hand and a puzzled look on you face. Style is the order of the day when out in Rome, good strong, but not bright colors a scarf flicked fashionably over and a smart bag over your shoulder, nom fanny packs please they do spoil the line of you Gucci you know!

Avoid eating in the tourist cafes around the main spots such as St.Mark’s square they are overpriced, very often with poor food and service. Go back a couple of streets to the small cafes frequented by the locals and you will get better, cheaper food and also get to dine and chat with the real Romans.

 

Access Italy is dedicated to providing unique and exclusive tours of Italy, including Rome, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Amalfi, the Vatican and more. Our private tours of Italy are customized to the individual interests and needs of our clientele. Founded by Angelo Amorico and Fulvio Fares, Access Italy (formerly Eurolimousine) has been creating exceptional travel experiences throughout Italy since 1984.
We will work with you to customize a unique and unforgettable Italian experience based on your needs and preferences. Or our experienced staff with over a century of combined experience, can suggest an itinerary for you. Access Italy is the only way to experience our wonderful country.

Colosseum: Probably the most famous landmark in Rome is a huge open-air stadium that could hold up to 50,000 Romans. Built by the Emperor Titus in AD80 it hosted games, gladiatorial combats and even could be flooded with water to provide a setting for reconstructions of famous navel battles.

Sistene Chapel: Situated at the far and of the Vatican museum, a day out in itself, the chapel was in need of a little decoration so in 1508 Michelangelo was brought to paint the 10,000 sq foot ceiling, single-handedly! The resulting work took over 4 years to complete and is considered to be one of the finest works of art in the world.

Fontana di Trevi (trevi fountain): A Huge and stunning eighteenth century fountain designed by Nicola Salvi, it is said that if you throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder you will one day return to Rome.

Piazza Navona: This square takes it’s strange shape from the original arena built there for displays of horsemanship, it is now a busy, fun place packed with stalls and eateries in the daytime and portrait and Caricatures artists at night.

Pantheon: A huge temple built by the Emperor Hadrian around AD120 it had, until 1960, the largest dome in the world. It also still has the original doors now nearly 1,900 years old. A fascinating and magnificent building.

Travestere: Not the main tourist center of Rome but a fascinating area full of winding lane and small shops selling interesting and unusual things, great nightlife food and a huge Sunday market. It is also home to what is said to be the oldest church in Rome. The beautiful Santa Maria the oldest part of which is said to date from the 3rd century AD.

Villa Borghese:The largest are of parkland in Rome it is a wonderful place to get away from the noise of the city fort a while. It has wonderful trees, quiet walks, a lake where you can rent a boat, and a wonderful art gallery. It also holds outdoor concerts of classical music every July.

There are many walking tours on offer and these are a great way to see the highlights of the city with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide.
Beware of over enthusiastic street traders in popular tourist spots such as the Trevi fountain.

Although a fairly safe city it is best to avoid the back streets at night and stick to the main thoroughfares, which are usually a sight in themselves as the stylishly dressed inhabitants go out for a stroll and a good meal. A great time for people watching, especially if you at one of the pavement table that many restaurants and cafes have.

But the main focus of any holiday in Rome should always be on the architecture and history which is like nowhere else in the world
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Explore the Wonder of Caves: Did you know that the longest cave in the world, Mammoth Cave, has more than 350 miles of mapped passages, with more being mapped each year? A cave in France is almost a mile deep! Tennessee has the most caves in the U.S., with over 8,350 caves registered so far.

Now you can SOAR LIKE A BIRD, or a plane, or -- Ride the Best Roller Coasters in the World  

The River of Rafts:  Just mention a vacation with white water rafting and your kids will roar with excitement.  

Take a Flurry of Adventure Vacations with Theme Parks all across the United States, listed by state.

Seven  Smart Ways To Give Money Away Creatively.  

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The Most Exciting Places on Earth

The United States  *  Alaska  *  Canada  *  Africa  *  The Best vacations in India  *  South America  *  Europe  *  The Far East  *  Adventure  * Travel in South America, one century ago  *   Safe vacations in Jaimaca  * Mexico *  Korea  * Iran on a bicycle  *  Watching Wild Tigers In India  * 

The most Peaceful Places on Earth

Bay Islands (near Honduras)  *  England and the United Kingdom  *  Australia  *  New Zealand  *  Amsterdam Holland  *  Spain  *  crystals  *  camping  *  horses  *  birds  *  Parks  *  cars  *  travel tips  * travel shop  *  Your Vacation World  From New England to New Zealand there are world class Spas where you can rest, regroup, and recoup the level in your spiritual battery.  The ones we have chosen to list here have nearby attractions your family will love too.  If you work for a large company you should check to see if it furnishes special discounts to one or more of these spa resorts so that you can come back to work revitalized.  *  Canada is a magnificent neighbor, so neighborly we almost forget them in that primal urge to SEE THE WORLD!  *Castles of the world  *  Famous Waterfalls of the World  *  The Public Fountains of Rome  *  East Iceland  *

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World travelers should remember the threat of malaria when making their plans. Estimates show that around 107 territories present a major risk for contracting the disease. These territories include: Africa, Asia (including the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East), parts of Eastern Europe, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Panama, parts of Central America -- and many islands in the South Pacific.

Exploring caves on the web 
Seven Wonders Scenic Tours  
The World's Luckiest Diamond Finder
 
Caretaking STRETCHES your travel dollar.  

On the 20th day of June in the year 1819 the steamship Savannah arrived at Liverpool from the United States. When the Savannah approached the English coast with her single stack giving forth volumes of dense black smoke, it was thought by those on shore that she was a ship on fire, and British men-of-war and revenue cutters set out to aid her. When the truth was known, consternation reigned among the English officers. They were astonished at the way the craft steamed away from them after they had rushed to assist what they thought was a ship in distress.

South America

From Patagonia in the south to Columbia and Venezuela in the north, South America offers travelers with an entire continent to explore. Visitors who travel South America can visit tremendous mountains, amazing rain forests and beautiful beaches. A trip to South America will expose travelers to various languages and cultures from both the new world of Europe to the ancient societies of South America’s indigenous people.

I'll never forget the look on the face of that Colombian campesino man. My wife just explained to him in Spanish that what I am holding under my arm is indeed a surfboard, despite the fact that we were standing in a Colombian village that was located somewhere in the middle of the Andes Mountains, hundreds of miles away from any ocean. After hearing this news the man made a joke about us getting bad directions. Crossing the Andes with a surfboard

The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for practice, on a sledding hill near my house. 

Getting married in Chile is one of the most romantic ideas you can come up with.  You should first check with the Chilean Embassy and Consulate Office for current laws and requirements. Getting married abroad is as legal and accepted as if it happened domestically as long as you adhere to the proper requirements of both the host country and your own.

What attracts most visitors to the area is the many mega-resort properties that line Highway 307 from Cancun to Tulum, also referred to as the Riviera Maya. People are lured by the miles of beaches, clear turquoise sea, and the ability to leave their wallets in the hotel safe for a week for an all-inclusive Caribbean holiday. Unfortunately, if you never leave the resort, you miss out on experiencing the culture and beauty of the Mexican Coast.

The Fascinating History of the Panama Canal.

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European Highlights

For the fortunate few, life isn’t complete without a backpacking trip through Europe. This rite of passage is believed to further the maturation process of college students, according to sociologists. Of course, others have opined that copious amounts of alcohol, sun and Amsterdam have something to do with it. Regardless of your purpose, you still have to figure out what to take. 

Alsace, unlike the other French regions, is rich in French, German and Swiss influences. The region is situated among the Vosges mountains in the mid-eastern to north-eastern part of France. Alsace is the smallest of all French regions with Strasbourg bordering Germany and the Rhine River. Towards Mulhouse in the south, the region is bordered by Switzerland and the region known as Franche-Comte.

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Prenzlau:  Pristine nature, clean air and clear water, a wide variety of nature protection and landscape conservation areas plus biosphere reserves – the calmness and the light are the reasons why people feel so at home here.Prenzlau an the Uckermark have all kinds of cultural and sporting activities on offer, as well as modern accommodation options. I´d like tell you a little bit about what´s on offer.

After a tour of the city, a trip to the Uckersee Lake for a spot of rest and recreation is highly recommended. The Unteruckersee Lake has for many centuries been one of the towns´treasures. Frederick I also held the lake in high esteem, choosing it as the venue for his legendary swan hunt – which gave our coat of arms its swan, by the way.

The lake has a special attraction for people of Prenzlau and visitors to our town. As well as the Uckersee Lakes – the Uckersee Lake itself is linked to the upper Uckersee Lake by canal – there are wonderful places to go in the direct vicinity of the town for hiking, cycling and boat trips. You can take a relaxing sailing trip across the Uckersee Lakes in the “Onkel Albert” passenger ship, or put your own muscle power to the test with a trip on the “Ukrasvan”, a reproduction 10th-century Slavic boat. If the sun shines as well, you´ll have the perfect nature experience.

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Interactive maps of Europe.   Austria  *  Belgium  *  Croatia  *  Czech Republic  *  Denmark  *  England  *  Finland  *  France  *  Germany  *  Greece  *  Hungary  *  Ireland  *  Italy  *  Montenegro  *  Netherlands  *  Norway  *  Poland  *  Portugal  *  Romania  *  Scandinavia  *  Scotland  *  Serbia   *  Slovenia  *  Spain   *  Sweden   *  Switzerland   *  Turkey  *  United Kingdom

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Bulgaria was the Slav land of Orpheus and Spartacus. It holds countless treasures, burial tombs and magnificent art and frescos reminiscent of centuries past, offering visitors the opportunity to tour numerous museums and monuments to understand Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage.. Today, culturally the Bulgarians remember the days when men tried to appease the natural elements and trembled before their power! Rich with beauty, gaiety, mystical voices, fiery dances and brightly colored costumes, Bulgarian folklore has to be seen, felt and experienced…

Bulgaria is best known for its budget holiday resorts on the Black Sea. Here you can enjoy great health and leisure activities at a fraction of the cost of most other tourist destinations. Warm sunshine with pleasant temperatures (around 26°C in summer) comfortable hotels, white, non-tidal beaches, water sports are but some of the attractions to the area. There is also plenty of entertainment laid on by the hotels, including night life at all the resorts. In addition, within minutes you can find yourself in picturesque mountains, ski resorts and golf courses.

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In Belgium the traffic drives on the right, drivers must be 18 and carry a valid driving licence and international driving permit, if they are foreigners. Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone and children under three must use a proper child restraint system. A warning triangle is compulsory as are headlamp converters (for left hand drive cars), dipped headlights in poor weather and a first-aid kit. Belgium has strict drunk-driving laws, only allowing 0.25mg/ml of alcohol in the blood. Fines range from €125 on-the-spot to €2,500 (if prosecuted) and up to a maximum of €10,000 (if over 0.8mg/l), a six-month sentence and five-year suspension of your licence. Speed limits are implemented rigorously with frequent radar traps and heavy on-the-spot fines.

With the same dedication of the swallows returning to Capistrano, the rich and famous flock to the French Riviera every year. When you walk along the city streets in the spring, or one of the many bustling open-air fruit and vegetable markets, and you might just find yourself passing a famous movie star or elegant fashion model.   

The Grand Prix is held in Monaco.  It ranks among the top sporting events in the world, and for good reason.  The combination of Formula One cars street racing and the influx of celebrities to the playground of Europe make a heady mix for the annual event, and is viewed as part of the social calendar for the world’s top sports stars, actors, models and businessmen.  The circuit takes in Casino Square and passes by the renowned Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, making it one of the most recognisable hotels in the world.

Spain is such a popular destination we have created an entire directory for it.

Explore Morocco  *  The Cultural Heritage of Vienna

Switzerland greets the eye like a fairy tale.  Its cities are precision built, the trains run on time and everywhere you look the natives there seem to be dancing or at least having a great time.  The diversity of the German, French, Romanish, and Italian languages has formed a robust national culture.

A short tour of Rome

Discover everything you need to Know for the Perfect Vacation, including where to stay, where to eat and the best places to visit in Florence, Italy. Find out the answers to the Top 50 most Frequently asked Questions about Florence, Italy.  Visit Places to visit in Florence Italy

Joined to Bagnoregio, and to the world, through only one bridge, Civita Italy appears in an unreal isolation due to landslip series and downfall of argillaceous ground on which the entire town is built and that is still in danger.

Incredible prices for all kinds of goods can be found on the Rock of Gibraltar. 

London has miles and miles of adventure, from the distant past to the rocketing future.
The History of London Bridge: 
London Bridge today is not the same London Bridge that crossed the Thames when it was first built. Peter, a priest and chaplain of St. Mary's of Colechurch, began the foundation of the original bridge in 1176 to replace a wooden bridge (expensive to maintain and repeatedly burned down) that had first been built by the Romans.

Southend-on-Sea is Essex’s largest town and its close proximity to London makes it a popular tourist destination year after year. Better still, it is located in the south east of the country in an area widely regarded as the driest part of Britain.

Southampton -- Set on the coast of Hampshire, south of Winchester, this is a place that abounds with a fascinating heritage. The Romans, who established it as a seaport, founded Southampton approximately 2,000 years ago. This was the port from which the ill-fated Titanic had set sail on her maiden voyage in 1912. Even though the place was affected during the Second World War, Southampton has grown sturdy with huge docks built for the cruise industry. The core of the modern city is now based around the City Centre.

Introducing Australia   It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and it is over twenty times the size of the United Kingdom has the lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre, has more than seven thousand beaches (more than any other country) and covers three time zones. It is also the sixth largest country and smallest continent on the planet. 
The Gold Coast of Australia features 40km of sandy immaculate beaches and is located 70kms south of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane, and 947kms North the capital of New south Wales, Sydney. It has an estimated population of 480,000 and is Australia's sixth largest city.
Stunning Katherine Gorge, the major attraction of Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia, is an absolute must see. Katherine Gorge shows that the most impressive experiences in the Australian Outback don't cost an arm and a leg, don't have to be shared with a kazillion other tourists, and they don't require any special preparations.

New Zealand is a country comprised of two large islands and many smaller islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and is noted for its geographic isolation. The Tasman Sea separates Australia to the northwest; to north are Fiji and Tonga. The total area of New Zealand is 268670 sq. km, which is slightly less than Japan but a little more than the United Kingdom. The country has extensive marine resources and the fifth largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world. Meaning New Zealand can claim over four million km2 or more than 15 times its land area for exploration and use of marine resources.

The History of the Balearic Islands:  The Balearic Islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times, around 5000 BC, and there are many Cyclopean remains. These show the communities constructed dwellings of stone. There is evidence of primitive agriculture including the keeping of domesticated animals. Jewelry, pottery and tools appear to have been manufactured. Later they were frequently visited by Phoenician traders. In 654 BC the Carthaginians founded what is today Ibiza city. Roman occupation followed and they were in turn evicted by the Visigoths.

Samoa, southseas paradise beckons to the modern traveler.

The discovery of "the cave of John the Baptist" not far away from Jerusalem was a great journalistic drama. Archaeological news easily lights the imagination. Remember the movie series of Indiana Jones. Is it true that John the Baptist began to baptize his followers in this cave? Let us go over the facts, and find out.
Indiana Jones and the Cave of John the Baptist 

Traveling Asia is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. When you travel to Asia, there are so many things to see and do; make sure that you plan your trip in advance. However, remember to leave some free time in you itinerary, because when you travel Asia, you want to make sure that you have the flexibility for an occasional adventure. 

World of the Geisha:  The function of the geisha is to provide men with learned but carefree conversation, song and dance, and cup after cup of sake. Unlike the common lot of prostitutes, they are expected to receive rigorous training in their gei, or "art". Their dress is elaborate and expensive, and thus their services do not come cheap. And sex is not a service, or at any rate not the foremost service, that they offer.

Taiwan:  Political struggles aside, the island and people of Taiwan are worth visiting. Travelers who seek a contrast between traditional Asian culture and modern Asian development need look no farther than Taiwan to satisfy their traveling needs.

North Korea:  As an independent kingdom of "Morning Calm" for much of the past thousand years, Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Many Korean village leaders still speak fluent Japanese. After the terror of World War II liberated it Korea was split almost in half on the 30th parallel with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist domination.

The City of Life, Hong Kong 

The Southern Islands of Thailand 

Thailand Holidays:  Thailand means “the land of the free”.  It lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and one can only experience the exotic beauty of the place when you get there. The fresh air kissing your face when you walk on the beach, the mouth watering dishes and the rush and madness in the market is something you will perhaps not get to see anywhere else.

India is a mystic land and has so many things that a traveler can discover. The best part about India is its rich history; the stories of Indian Kings and queens who lived and died for their kingdom is rather amusing. Even more amusing is to read about the secret lives of these kings and queens, their palaces, their summer retreats, their leisure activities, their traditions and their interest in art and architecture.

Africa, land of mystery.  Actually, we have quite a bit of knowledge stored here on the African Continent and we want to share it with you.

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