Monday, November 7, 2011

Roman Holiday

No tour of Italy would be complete without a trip to the country’s historic capital, Rome. Not for nothing is it known as “the Eternal City”. It has, in its time, been the centre of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, the Kingdom of Italy and (since 1946) the Italian Republic. The entire centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting diverse architecture from across Rome's long history.

The Colosseum is one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations, attracting 4 million visitors every year. All those tourists will be treated to one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. The Colosseum is itself almost 2000 years old. It was originally constructed on the outskirts of the city, but since then Rome has grown and enveloped it, so it is now seen by many as the city's unofficial heart.

Back in the present, Rome has developed a very strong club scene. There is a plethora of nightclubs and bars to appeal to all tastes. Well known hotspots include Akab Cave in Testaccio. With a dance floor in a cave (hence the name) and a Japanese style garden out back, it offers the tourist a style that goes beyond the simply gimmicky. A touch of high class is brought by Brancaleone out in the suburb of Montesacro. Those making the trip will not be disappointed as, as well as a dance floor, Brancaleone also boasts an exhibition gallery, library and outdoor space. Classy. The Rock Castle Café is a popular venue with both locals and tourists.

Located, as the name suggests, in the dungeons of the Palazzo Cenci, you can enjoy a cocktail and a dance in a uniquely medieval setting. A note of caution, unlike most London clubs, the Roman venues do not typically have a set house style of music: instead, the style of music rotates on a semi-regular basis depending on which DJ or band is playing on any particular night. If you have a particular fondness for New Wave, electro, dance or house, best to make sure which clubs are playing it that night before you set out.

Rome and Milan are noted as the two cities that best exhibit the Italian sense of style. Some of Italy’s oldest jewellery and clothing lines were founded in the city and the modern tourist can still find parades of boutique fashion houses selling the very coolest in designer ware.

The sports fan will also find much to attract them in Rome. The city has hosted any number of major sporting events. It was the site of the 1960 Summer Olympic Games, utilising a number of the city’s ancient sites as event venues (e.g. the Basilica of Maxentius was used for the wrestling). Rome has hosted the Football World Cup twice - once in 1934 and again in 1990 - the latter famously introducing high art to a traditionally populist sport with a performance by the Three Tenors the night before the final. Rome’s long tradition of attracting sports fans looks set to continue as the city is currently bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics Games.

Whether you plan to spend an entire holiday in the city or want to make it just one stop on your wider tour of Italy, you can’t go wrong with Rome. Once the centre of the world’s mightiest civilisation, the Eternal City still shines with arts, history and culture.

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