car hire rome

guide to rome

history
Rome is a city with a long, long history, with many of the sights popular with travellers dating back to around the turn of the 1st century. At that time, Rome was ruled by a series of emperors who built industriously, hoping to make a lasting impression. During the rise of Christianity in the 4th century, many of Rome’s classic basilicas (Santa Croce, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Pietro, among others) went up. When the papacy was thriving (around the 1500s), it aligned itself with some of Italy’s legendary artists, such as Raphael, as well as with its richest patrons, like the Medicis. An explosion of beautiful Renaissance and Baroque buildings and fountains sprung up during this time. In 1870, Rome was named the capital of Italy. In preparation for 2000’s Jubilee Year, when 16 million Catholic pilgrims visited Rome, the city undertook major restoration and cleaning projects to pretty up many of its fabled sights.

things to see
The most idyllic of the hill towns is Rocca di Papa, about 10 kilometres past Marino. This picturesque spot faces the Alban lakes and overlooks the papal palace of Castel Gandolfo. Nemi’s another hot spot, especially in the spring, which is strawberry season. The strawberries grown here are considered by some the best in all of Europe. A strawberry festival is held in May.

The number of sights to be seen in Rome is truly staggering. Rome wasn’t built in a day, as the saying goes, and you won’t see it in a day either. Many attractions here could be called must-sees, but the Colosseum is one almost everyone agrees on. This ancient site of gladiator battles is simply awe-inspiring.