by Anne-Hélène (Oct 12, 2005)

For two thousand years Rome has fascinated the visitor.... It seems that a mysterious power acts on the person who ventures into the eternal city's streets so as to discover its many sights....
Every nook offers a surprise : here a church, there a fountain, elsewhere an obelisk, which by turns, meet the eyes.

As it only takes one moment to pass from the noisiest street to the calmest lane, one instant transports us from an epoch to another .......

I have always been dreaming of going to this wonderful city, and this summer my prayer was answered!
Actually I went to Rome during the first week of August! We stayed in a French hotel which is called "Pierre en vacances". I was with my family and it was unforgettable!!

Yet Rome has an eventful history, which certainly left its mark in the town! That's why I'd like to show you its history across the great sights .....very briefly!!!

Rome is an out-of-time town and that's why it offers you a lot of different feelings.... Rich in all epochs evidences, the town introduces itself as a place where present and past are confused.
In the forum, heart of the antique Rome, we can still hear the animated debates of the senators, the salesmen who were shouting to the client in the Trajan's markets, and the relaxed discussions in the public baths...

Not far away, the catacombs remind us that, after it had given the first martyrs, Christianity was the official and giant religion from St Peter's Church !

Then the harmony of edifices from the Renaissance take us back to the present living places: the market places, the crowdy square of Spain or the Roman's calling out!!!!

I guess there are too many things to do, to watch, to visit or to see in only one week! That's why we have to choose and it's rather difficult! Nevertheless we could select some unavoidable sights......

First, I think we have to go to the Coliseum where the disproportions of the edifice make us imagine the extinction of the shows which must have taken place......Just behind here, we mustn’t forget the beautiful Constantin's Arch....

We can also go to the "Foro Romano"or "Imperiali", heart of the antique civilisation and the hills of the Palatine and the Capitol, two of the seven hills of Rome. It's really impressive and marvellous. But if I can give you one piece of advice, don't go if it's too hot because it gets very rapidly stuff and oppressive!!!!

Then I believe we must see the Pantheon, really great, "Piazza Navona", very nice and crowdy, but so lively, and without forgetting the famous 'Piazza di Spagna"!!!
Don't miss Trevi's fountain ; take advantage of being there to throw a coin in the water and make the wish to come back to Rome. Even if you don't believe it really, it's worth trying , just for admiring the giant fountain......

Next, we can't leave Rome without going to St Peter's church even if you aren't interested in museums and churches, but this one is unforgettable! We're in the heart of Rome and of the catholic world. See Bernin's sculptures, the Vatican's museums and the Sixtine Chapel which reminds us that everything has a beginning and an end......

Except Rome!!!

You can see the public baths of Caracalla (so big!!) as well, the three other churches of the Vatican ( Santa Maria Maggiore Esquilino, San Giovanni in Laterano and San Paolo fuori le Mura) and the Villa Borghese (villa of a cardinal who had a great collection of paintings!)
Last but not least, don't miss the breathtaking ruins of Ostie: the ancient port of Rome. But be very careful because you could get lost!!!

Well, it's nearly over!

But my description wouldn't be complete if I didn’t speak about Italian specialities..... and all that makes the beauty of this city......

The climate is very hot in August, but you have to know that Rome is situated not very far from the sea (around 28 km). So the climate is rather mild all year round, with many degrees more than the Northern towns of Italy!

The speed limits aren't the same as in France and the Italians drive faster and worse than the French!!!!

Last, Roman cooking is very very good because it's mainly composed of simple and fresh products. Pizzas are memorable and they’re frequently difficult to finish, like pastas!
But the best thing are ..... ice-creams!!! There they're giant and cheap!!! Taste the nutella or the cherry perfumes!! ^ ^

If one day you've got the chance of going somewhere, don't be undecided.....
Go to Rome!!

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