February 13, 2019

First time traveling to Italy? Let’s start with Rome


So, Rome was founded by twin sons raised by a she-wolf in 753 BC. How cool is that? This tale alone gave us all the reasons to check Rome out.

All roads lead to Rome
It means many different methods will produce the same result. Also, a comedy movie name, yes. This saying is based on the excellent radiated road system that starts in the center of Rome, and it can be traced back to the Roman Empire time. It shows Rome got the rich history (28 centuries!), and you can feel it in every corner of this Eternal city.

Get lost in the centro storico
Centro Storico, literally “old town”. This relatively small area has a high concentration of historical heritage and you can cover the whole area by foot. Make sure you toss a coin into the beautiful Trevi Fountain to ensure coming back to Rome again.
For those who care less about the history, pick one or two must-see, like Colosseum and Roman Forum. Skip buying the ticket to go in, get some cute Instagram pictures done outside. Immerse yourself in this precious area and get coffee and ice cream all day long.

Book a walking tour
For those who care more about history, book a free walking tour and soak in the late medieval time. It’s amazing these tours can be free, but some tips are well appreciated of course. Night time is beautiful as well, you get to see monuments illuminated, also, night time is less hot in summer days!
Below are some classic must-sees from centro storico:
Colosseum
Built of travertine, tuff, and brick-faced concrete, it is the largest amphitheatre ever built. The Colosseum is situated just east of the Roman Forum. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72, and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. (info from Wikipedia)
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is a fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini and several others. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. (info from Wikipedia)
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum, is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum. (info from Wikipedia)

Precious Italian People
Italy is so well loved. It’s always been top of the travel list for everyone. They are taught the values of God, family, and traditions, and are so proud of being Italian. Food, people, scenery are the keys to a perfect getaway, and of course, Italy has them all. There are tons of jokes told on other groups and races, yet Italians got the best humor to joke on themselves.
They say Jesus is an Italian, why? A) Only an Italian son would live with his mama till he was 30. B) Only an Italian son could think his mama was still a virgin. 


Ultimate love for pasta, Museum of Pasta!
Don’t go keto when you’re in Italy, it just doesn’t make sense. Let’s all admit carbs are satisfying af. Italy has a broad variety, from north to south, 20 different regions all have their own characters and their own pasta. In Rome, they even have Museo Nazionale della Paste Alimentari (the National Museum of Pasta). If you ask an Italian where to find the best pasta, he would probably say his mom makes the best pasta. It also shows a lot about their value of tight family connection.

They know how to live! Aperitivo and Riposo
Italians know how to live a good life for sure. And they take rest and fun seriously.
Aperitivo, the Italian happy hour is a huge social event in the center of Rome.
Riposo, Italy's midday nap time. Restaurants and shops shut down one and a half hour to two between 1 pm to 4 pm. Also be aware that they shut down the shop anytime they want, sometimes even for a whole month (usually August).

Best time to Visit and where to stay
Spring is the best. From April to May, it’s breezy and less crowded. Summertime can be pricier and you need to line up for hours before getting into one thing. Mid-September to October is also great if your schedule allows.
From cheaper hostels to five-star hotels, no matter your wallet size, there’s always something for you. There are lots of options in the central historical district, Airbnb is also not banned in Rome. If you love a nice shopping spree, we recommend staying in Monti district. 

Get around in the city by bus
The most convenient and economic way of getting around Rome is the Public Transit Bus service. Expats in Rome will tell you the traffic here isn’t so great. Buses run till mid night and cover the entire city. Fare is €1.50, and one day pass for unlimited metro, bus, and train travel within Rome is €7.00.

Hopefully they have good WiFi?
You would think Italy is a developed country, and the Internet situation won’t let you down. But nah... it's actually the worst in Europe, accessible WiFi in Italy is seriously lacking. Once again, Italians know how to live their best lives without the Internet. Even though the goverment launched a wi-fi app in 2017, hope to make internet more accessible for locals and travelers... so far we haven't heard good reviews on the free wi-fi. So, take our router there, share your moments anytime and get connected always! 

Book now👇
https://visionglobalwifi.com/italy/