"Rome" a Rome Travel Page by alloquisha

Rome is hardly a city that needs any introduction...it is after all, "The Eternal City." It was also where I started my first backpacking trip through Europe--you can't ask for a better introduction than the heart of Italy!

What's special about this city is not necessarily the sights, but how a place with so much ancient history is still very much alive today, take or leave the tourists. While of course places like the Colosseum are swamped, there are many "secondary" sights that you can have almost all to yourself--they are well worth seeking out.

Some general thoughts:
-Do make an effort to take in many piazzas, especially the smaller, more remote ones. Piazza Barberini is especially nice! Piazza della Republicca, while a busy traffic circle, is also stunning in its own way.
-Do get off the beaten ruin track! And pssst! If you're not totally into Roman history, don't stand in line and fork over the cash for the Forum or the Colosseum...you can see A LOT from the outside.
-Do get over to Trastevere, but Don't eat at the first restaurant you see...it has become quite touristy and is not as "authentic" feeling as many guidebooks tout.
-Have fun and meet some Romans! They are fabulous people. :)