TOURING TACTICS
Tourist Milan is a compact area, coinciding with the City Center, and surrounds the Piazza del Duomo. Milan is Italy's largest city and once outside of the tourist area, you may find a lot not to like. Try to reserve a hotel towards the City Center but away from the area around the Central Train Station. Many travelers spend a couple of days in Milan and then head to the Lake Country for a restful vacation.
We focus on the best places to visit in Milan. However, this city is a fashion capital and provides an incredible shopping experience. You may want to devote a day or more to ...shopping. If so, head east from the Duomo along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele and you will find yourself in shopper heaven. The main streets and side streets overflow with glamorous shops. If you are looking for high quality, fashionable clothes, this is the place. There are a number of shops where you can find a bargain, and one favorite with most shoppers is Salvagente Di Generalcom at Via Bronzetti Fratellum 16 (20129 Milano), which offers designer clothes as a significant discount (Closed Sunday and in the morning on Monday)
If you will be returning home from your vacation in Milan via Malpensa Airport, the quickest, most economical transportation is the Malpensa Express. The Express is a train that runs between the Milan Cadorna Train Station and Terminal 1 at Malpensa. The trip takes 40 minutes (the airport is 28 miles outside of Milan) and the Express runs every 30 minutes from 5:57am to 8:57 pm. Trains leave the station for the airport at 27 and 57 minutes past the hour.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
TOURING TIPS OF FLOURENCE
TOURING TACTICS
The Best Places to Visit in Florence described above include the most popular tourist attractions in Firenze. Tourist Florence is a compact area on the north side of the Arno River and the major attractions are easily accessible.
Florence has a lot to offer the art lover, especially those entranced with the Renaissance. If you are an admirer of the works of Michelangelo, Donatello or Fra Angelico you may never want to leave Florence. However, for most of us touring gallery after gallery with a quick peek at a medieval building or two in-between soon starts to get old. When one painting starts to look like the next, it is a good time to look for other, less cultural alternatives.
Florence offers great restaurants, yummy gelato shops and good shopping to help provide respites from the extravagances of Florence’s art museums. Don’t over reach, if you only have a couple of days in Florence, visit the places that have the most interest for you, but be sure to leave time for good food and good fun.
The Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria dell'Accadmia are the most popular attractions in Florence. You should reserve tickets for both attractions
The Best Places to Visit in Florence described above include the most popular tourist attractions in Firenze. Tourist Florence is a compact area on the north side of the Arno River and the major attractions are easily accessible.
Florence has a lot to offer the art lover, especially those entranced with the Renaissance. If you are an admirer of the works of Michelangelo, Donatello or Fra Angelico you may never want to leave Florence. However, for most of us touring gallery after gallery with a quick peek at a medieval building or two in-between soon starts to get old. When one painting starts to look like the next, it is a good time to look for other, less cultural alternatives.
Florence offers great restaurants, yummy gelato shops and good shopping to help provide respites from the extravagances of Florence’s art museums. Don’t over reach, if you only have a couple of days in Florence, visit the places that have the most interest for you, but be sure to leave time for good food and good fun.
The Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria dell'Accadmia are the most popular attractions in Florence. You should reserve tickets for both attractions
BEST OF FLORENCE
Florence's art and architecture rivals Rome. During the Renaissance, Florence was the art center of western civilization. A list of past residents of the city represents the "Who's Who" of the Masters, including: Dante, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, among others.
The Piazza San Giovanni and the adjacent Piazza del Duomo provide famous sights, including the Baptistery, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the campanile known as Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Duomo
The Duomo is considered an architectural masterpiece and is a sight to behold. The cathedral is impressive due to its size and the incredible dimensions of its amazing dome. If you want to see the original art from the Duomo, it is on display at the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo
The Museo
The Duomo Museum is a knockout and includes an unfinished pieta by Michelangelo (the Pieta in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is acknowledged to be Michelanglo’s finest). Ghiberti’s original bronze panels for the Baptistery Doors and works by Donatello, including several magnificent statues, are on display in the Museo
The Baptistery
The Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in Florence, is at the front of the Duomo. It is known for Ghiberti's bronze door panels (see the originals in the Museo). In addition, the interior of this octagonal building is decorated with impressive mosaics and an extraordinary inlaid marble floor.
Giotto’s Bell Tower
The Bell Tower, an 87-meter high campanile, is a building of architectural renown. The Bell Tower provides outstanding, aerial views of the Duomo. Construction started in the fourteenth century, outlasted Giotto and was completed by Talenti who followed Giotto’s design.
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world’s great art museums. You will find works by Botticelli, Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian, as well as works by German, Dutch and French masters.
Galleria Dell'Accademia
This small museum is one of the most crowded in Florence due to the world’s fascination with Michelangelo’s sculpture of David. The remainder of the Galleria is focused on Florentine arts and artists.
Palazzo Pitti
Formerly the residence of the grand dukes of Tuscany, the King of Italy and home of the Medici's, the Palazzo is furnished with treasures from the ages and features several museums/galleries, including:
Gallery of Modern Art
Costume Gallery
Museo degle Argenti (the Medici Treasury)
Porcelain Museum
The Palatine Gallery, which includes works by Raphael, Reubens Titian and sculptures by Canova.
The Boboli Gardens, originally designed by the Medici's, are one of the earliest examples of formal Italian Gardens.
Museum of San Marco
The former Dominican convent of San Marco contains many of the artistic works by Fra Angelico, a famous Renaissance artist known for his incredible frescoes, many of which decorate this building. Other of Fra Angelico’s works have been added to the collection more recently.
Bargello National Museum
This museum includes masterpieces by Donatello and Michelangelo and others presented in the former Council of Justice, a building dating from the fourteenth century. The collection features statues, including Bacchus by Michelangelo and Donatello’s David. The collection includes tapestries, furniture and other unique works of art.
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is the best known of Florence’s many bridges across the River Arno. The bridge was built in the fourteenth century has been filled with the shops of goldsmiths and jewelers since the early sixteenth century. Some of Italy’s finest jewelry can be found here
Piazza della Signoria
This Piazza has been the center of politics in Florence for centuries. Fronted by the famous Palazzo Vecchio and its tower, the Square (perhaps the "L" would be a more appropriate description) is graced with many beautiful works of art including the well known Fountain of Neptune and the equestrian statue of Cosimo. Several of the statues (David, the Lion and Judith and Holofernes) are recreations, although the originals are in nearby museums
The Piazza San Giovanni and the adjacent Piazza del Duomo provide famous sights, including the Baptistery, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the campanile known as Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Duomo
The Duomo is considered an architectural masterpiece and is a sight to behold. The cathedral is impressive due to its size and the incredible dimensions of its amazing dome. If you want to see the original art from the Duomo, it is on display at the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo
The Museo
The Duomo Museum is a knockout and includes an unfinished pieta by Michelangelo (the Pieta in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is acknowledged to be Michelanglo’s finest). Ghiberti’s original bronze panels for the Baptistery Doors and works by Donatello, including several magnificent statues, are on display in the Museo
The Baptistery
The Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in Florence, is at the front of the Duomo. It is known for Ghiberti's bronze door panels (see the originals in the Museo). In addition, the interior of this octagonal building is decorated with impressive mosaics and an extraordinary inlaid marble floor.
Giotto’s Bell Tower
The Bell Tower, an 87-meter high campanile, is a building of architectural renown. The Bell Tower provides outstanding, aerial views of the Duomo. Construction started in the fourteenth century, outlasted Giotto and was completed by Talenti who followed Giotto’s design.
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world’s great art museums. You will find works by Botticelli, Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian, as well as works by German, Dutch and French masters.
Galleria Dell'Accademia
This small museum is one of the most crowded in Florence due to the world’s fascination with Michelangelo’s sculpture of David. The remainder of the Galleria is focused on Florentine arts and artists.
Palazzo Pitti
Formerly the residence of the grand dukes of Tuscany, the King of Italy and home of the Medici's, the Palazzo is furnished with treasures from the ages and features several museums/galleries, including:
Gallery of Modern Art
Costume Gallery
Museo degle Argenti (the Medici Treasury)
Porcelain Museum
The Palatine Gallery, which includes works by Raphael, Reubens Titian and sculptures by Canova.
The Boboli Gardens, originally designed by the Medici's, are one of the earliest examples of formal Italian Gardens.
Museum of San Marco
The former Dominican convent of San Marco contains many of the artistic works by Fra Angelico, a famous Renaissance artist known for his incredible frescoes, many of which decorate this building. Other of Fra Angelico’s works have been added to the collection more recently.
Bargello National Museum
This museum includes masterpieces by Donatello and Michelangelo and others presented in the former Council of Justice, a building dating from the fourteenth century. The collection features statues, including Bacchus by Michelangelo and Donatello’s David. The collection includes tapestries, furniture and other unique works of art.
Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is the best known of Florence’s many bridges across the River Arno. The bridge was built in the fourteenth century has been filled with the shops of goldsmiths and jewelers since the early sixteenth century. Some of Italy’s finest jewelry can be found here
Piazza della Signoria
This Piazza has been the center of politics in Florence for centuries. Fronted by the famous Palazzo Vecchio and its tower, the Square (perhaps the "L" would be a more appropriate description) is graced with many beautiful works of art including the well known Fountain of Neptune and the equestrian statue of Cosimo. Several of the statues (David, the Lion and Judith and Holofernes) are recreations, although the originals are in nearby museums
TOURING TIPS IN VENICE
TOURING TACTICS
Best Places to Visit in Venice described below include the most popular tourist attractions in Veneto. Although we have focused on monuments, piazzas and historic Venice, take some to walk through this city's lesser-known neighborhoods to understand the magic of Venice.
If interested in a gondola ride, consider taking one outside of the tourist core of Venice. Great views elsewhere in the city and cost of a gondola ride decrease with increasing distance from St. Mark's.
The restaurants in Venice's neighborhoods often serve meals far superior to those you will find in many of the eateries located in the core tourist areas.
Crowds and lines at the city's most popular attractions can be a time-waster in summer and you might want to consider using Select Italy to purchase a museum pass for all of Venice's civic museums. It is easiest to preorder your tickets before leaving on your trip.
Most visitors to Venice are day-trippers or on tours, so if you are staying in Venice, head for the attractions early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the crowds.Walking is the best way to see the city, but impractical due to the long distances between bridges.
The vaporetti (waterbuses) travel along the Grand Canal and can help to cut distances between the places you might want to visit. Pick up a free vaporetti map to scout out where you can pick-up or disembark the waterbuses.
The Grand Canal winds through Venice connecting all major attractions, but there are only three bridges crossing it - at the train station, the Rialto Bridge and the Accademia Bridge. When you are between bridges and need to get from one side of the Grand Canal to the other, consider hopping a “traghetto”, a low cost gondola that ferries between the banks of the Grand Canal.
Best Places to Visit in Venice described below include the most popular tourist attractions in Veneto. Although we have focused on monuments, piazzas and historic Venice, take some to walk through this city's lesser-known neighborhoods to understand the magic of Venice.
If interested in a gondola ride, consider taking one outside of the tourist core of Venice. Great views elsewhere in the city and cost of a gondola ride decrease with increasing distance from St. Mark's.
The restaurants in Venice's neighborhoods often serve meals far superior to those you will find in many of the eateries located in the core tourist areas.
Crowds and lines at the city's most popular attractions can be a time-waster in summer and you might want to consider using Select Italy to purchase a museum pass for all of Venice's civic museums. It is easiest to preorder your tickets before leaving on your trip.
Most visitors to Venice are day-trippers or on tours, so if you are staying in Venice, head for the attractions early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the crowds.Walking is the best way to see the city, but impractical due to the long distances between bridges.
The vaporetti (waterbuses) travel along the Grand Canal and can help to cut distances between the places you might want to visit. Pick up a free vaporetti map to scout out where you can pick-up or disembark the waterbuses.
The Grand Canal winds through Venice connecting all major attractions, but there are only three bridges crossing it - at the train station, the Rialto Bridge and the Accademia Bridge. When you are between bridges and need to get from one side of the Grand Canal to the other, consider hopping a “traghetto”, a low cost gondola that ferries between the banks of the Grand Canal.
EXPLORING VENICE
Exploring Venice is an experience that you will never forget. Whether taking a gondola down the Grand Canal or examining this romantic city's unique setting and architecture while on foot, you will find Venice inviting and magical.
Piazza San Marco
Most tourists make a beeline for the Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square, also known as the Piazetta), a large, broad public square. St. Mark's is the main meeting place in Venice and host to the most well-known attractions in tourist Venice. As you land at the dock of St, Mark's, you will see two columns. One is crowned with Saint Theodore, the patron saint of Venice, while the other is topped with the Lion of St. Mark.
St. Mark's Basilica
St. Mark's Basilica was built to house the reliquary of St. Mark and the saint's tomb is the focus of the cathedral. Venetian merchants in reportedly smuggled St. Mark's body out of Egypt in the 9th century, packed in pork to avoid searches by the port inspectors who, of course, practiced Islam, a religion that considers pig and its by-products to be "unclean".
Campanile
The original Campanile, which was visited by Galileo in the 17th century, collapsed during repair work in 1902 and the present structure was rebuilt in 1912. You can climb to the top for a nice view of the Piazza, St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace. The Campanile is the tallest structure in Venice.
Doge’s Palace also known as Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace)
The Doges (dukes) ruled Venice and the Palazzo Ducale, serving as both the Doge's Palace and the seat of government, was Venice's center of power until the Venetian Republic ended in the 18th century. A tour of the building reveals the historic grandeur that accrued to Venice in its role as a major sea power and the mercantile center of the Mediterranean.
Museo Correr
In the Napoleon wing of the Piazza San Marco, you will find the Museo Correr. The Museo houses a sizable collection of Venetian art and artifacts from medieval and Renaissance times. You will see a lot of the similar art in the major museum venues of Venice,
Grand Canal /Canalazzo
The famous waterway is approximately two-miles long and faced with impressive palaces that were owned by the city's wealthy seafaring merchants. Take the Vaporetto and tour during the day and night to see the real beauty of the Grand Canal.The Rialto Bridge provides a good land view of the Grand Canal and is the center of commerce in modern day Venice
Island Excursions
Murano Located just north of Venice, this island is famous for its glass arts and glassblowers. If you are interested in the art of glassmaking, visit the Museo del Vetro (if you have a Venice Museum Pass, you can use it here as well). Most of the glass shops are open daily. Prices are at a premium, but there are few places you can find a bargain in Venice.
Burano Famous for its lace shops, most of which are open daily, some closed on Sunday. Look closely to make sure you are buying Italian lace, as many varieties of lace, including imports from China, are available here
Piazza San Marco
Most tourists make a beeline for the Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square, also known as the Piazetta), a large, broad public square. St. Mark's is the main meeting place in Venice and host to the most well-known attractions in tourist Venice. As you land at the dock of St, Mark's, you will see two columns. One is crowned with Saint Theodore, the patron saint of Venice, while the other is topped with the Lion of St. Mark.
St. Mark's Basilica
St. Mark's Basilica was built to house the reliquary of St. Mark and the saint's tomb is the focus of the cathedral. Venetian merchants in reportedly smuggled St. Mark's body out of Egypt in the 9th century, packed in pork to avoid searches by the port inspectors who, of course, practiced Islam, a religion that considers pig and its by-products to be "unclean".
Campanile
The original Campanile, which was visited by Galileo in the 17th century, collapsed during repair work in 1902 and the present structure was rebuilt in 1912. You can climb to the top for a nice view of the Piazza, St. Mark's and the Doge's Palace. The Campanile is the tallest structure in Venice.
Doge’s Palace also known as Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace)
The Doges (dukes) ruled Venice and the Palazzo Ducale, serving as both the Doge's Palace and the seat of government, was Venice's center of power until the Venetian Republic ended in the 18th century. A tour of the building reveals the historic grandeur that accrued to Venice in its role as a major sea power and the mercantile center of the Mediterranean.
Museo Correr
In the Napoleon wing of the Piazza San Marco, you will find the Museo Correr. The Museo houses a sizable collection of Venetian art and artifacts from medieval and Renaissance times. You will see a lot of the similar art in the major museum venues of Venice,
Grand Canal /Canalazzo
The famous waterway is approximately two-miles long and faced with impressive palaces that were owned by the city's wealthy seafaring merchants. Take the Vaporetto and tour during the day and night to see the real beauty of the Grand Canal.The Rialto Bridge provides a good land view of the Grand Canal and is the center of commerce in modern day Venice
Island Excursions
Murano Located just north of Venice, this island is famous for its glass arts and glassblowers. If you are interested in the art of glassmaking, visit the Museo del Vetro (if you have a Venice Museum Pass, you can use it here as well). Most of the glass shops are open daily. Prices are at a premium, but there are few places you can find a bargain in Venice.
Burano Famous for its lace shops, most of which are open daily, some closed on Sunday. Look closely to make sure you are buying Italian lace, as many varieties of lace, including imports from China, are available here
BEST OF ROME
The "Eternal City" is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Once the capital of western civilization, Rome has incredible antiquities, gorgeous piazzas, stunning fountains, great food, and a wonderful ambiance. The saying "All roads lead to Rome" was a truism during the Roman Empire and the city displays the landmarks of Ancient Rome in a spectacular fashion.
The Colosseum
The world famous profile of the Colosseum remains a dramatic sight, but you need to tour inside for a revealing look into its history. The arena was designed to hold more than fifty thousand spectators while the lions and gladiators did their work.
Piazza Campidoglio/Capitoline Hill
The Capitoline Hill was a seat of power in ancient Rome and remains a center of government even today. The Capitoline's Piazza Campidoglio, is a good place to start your tour of Ancient Rome. The Piazza and its buildings were constructed and in some cases modified based on plans created by Michelangelo.
The Roman and Imperial Forums Area
The ruins of the Forums mark the historical center of the city and contain the remnants of the seats of power of ancient Rome. Expect to spend an afternoon at the Forums, or less if you simply want to take a quick walkthrough. Be warned, it is a fascinating area and you will soon find yourself trying to translate Latin dates and Latin script as you wander this breathtaking piece of history where Caesar and other emperors of the Roman Empire once walked.
The Temples of Ancient Rome
The ancient Romans worshipped various gods and goddesses and built imposing temples to honor those they particularly feared.
Examples of the most important of these include the temples of Saturn, Castor and Pollux, and another commemorating the goddesses Venus and Roma.
Some temples were named for emperors who were deified and the most important of these are the ruins of the Temples of Caesar and Vespasian.
The Temples of Ancient Rome
The ancient Romans worshipped various gods and goddesses and built imposing temples to honor those they particularly feared.
Examples of the most important of these include the temples of Saturn, Castor and Pollux, and another commemorating the goddesses Venus and Rome
Arch of Constantine
Located between the Colosseum and the Roman Forums, Constantine's Arch is the largest and best preserved of the ancient Roman arches. It provides a sense of history and demonstrates the grandeur of the Roman Empire. Take some time to examine the details of this impressive monument.
Trajan's Market.
One of the earliest permanently covered shopping arcades, Trajan's market, from the 1st Century, is the best-preserved of the ancient markets in Rome. It is located in the Imperial Forums.a.
Some temples were named for emperors who were deified and the most important of these are the ruins of the Temples of Caesar and Vespasian.
The Pantheon
The Temple of the Pantheon is one of the true glories of ancient Rome and one of the best preserved sites in the city. The Pantheon is located where, in earlier times, Agrippa had constructed a temple to commemorate the Roman Gods. The Emperor Hadrian commissioned the Pantheon including the spectacular rotunda and the marvelous dome that have survived the centuries.
Castel Sant'Angelo (Hadrian's Mausoleum)
Castel Sant Angelo offers panoramic views along the Tiber and is one of Rome's outstanding architectural monuments. The building has served Roman emperors as a mausoleum, several popes as a fortress (it is still connected to the Vatican by a passageway) and as a bulwark of the defensive wall that once surrounded Rome.
The Colosseum
The world famous profile of the Colosseum remains a dramatic sight, but you need to tour inside for a revealing look into its history. The arena was designed to hold more than fifty thousand spectators while the lions and gladiators did their work.
Piazza Campidoglio/Capitoline Hill
The Capitoline Hill was a seat of power in ancient Rome and remains a center of government even today. The Capitoline's Piazza Campidoglio, is a good place to start your tour of Ancient Rome. The Piazza and its buildings were constructed and in some cases modified based on plans created by Michelangelo.
The Roman and Imperial Forums Area
The ruins of the Forums mark the historical center of the city and contain the remnants of the seats of power of ancient Rome. Expect to spend an afternoon at the Forums, or less if you simply want to take a quick walkthrough. Be warned, it is a fascinating area and you will soon find yourself trying to translate Latin dates and Latin script as you wander this breathtaking piece of history where Caesar and other emperors of the Roman Empire once walked.
The Temples of Ancient Rome
The ancient Romans worshipped various gods and goddesses and built imposing temples to honor those they particularly feared.
Examples of the most important of these include the temples of Saturn, Castor and Pollux, and another commemorating the goddesses Venus and Roma.
Some temples were named for emperors who were deified and the most important of these are the ruins of the Temples of Caesar and Vespasian.
The Temples of Ancient Rome
The ancient Romans worshipped various gods and goddesses and built imposing temples to honor those they particularly feared.
Examples of the most important of these include the temples of Saturn, Castor and Pollux, and another commemorating the goddesses Venus and Rome
Arch of Constantine
Located between the Colosseum and the Roman Forums, Constantine's Arch is the largest and best preserved of the ancient Roman arches. It provides a sense of history and demonstrates the grandeur of the Roman Empire. Take some time to examine the details of this impressive monument.
Trajan's Market.
One of the earliest permanently covered shopping arcades, Trajan's market, from the 1st Century, is the best-preserved of the ancient markets in Rome. It is located in the Imperial Forums.a.
Some temples were named for emperors who were deified and the most important of these are the ruins of the Temples of Caesar and Vespasian.
The Pantheon
The Temple of the Pantheon is one of the true glories of ancient Rome and one of the best preserved sites in the city. The Pantheon is located where, in earlier times, Agrippa had constructed a temple to commemorate the Roman Gods. The Emperor Hadrian commissioned the Pantheon including the spectacular rotunda and the marvelous dome that have survived the centuries.
Castel Sant'Angelo (Hadrian's Mausoleum)
Castel Sant Angelo offers panoramic views along the Tiber and is one of Rome's outstanding architectural monuments. The building has served Roman emperors as a mausoleum, several popes as a fortress (it is still connected to the Vatican by a passageway) and as a bulwark of the defensive wall that once surrounded Rome.
ROAM TOUR TACTICS
Touring Tactics
Rome is particularly hot and usually sunny during the summer, so be sure to take your sunscreen and a hat that will shade your face and neck. Plan to tour in the morning or late in the day and spend lunchtime doing what the Italians do - eating and napping. Just make sure you hotel is air-conditioned! One more climate-related note: cool summer evenings are when Rome awakens!!
Dinner in Rome is a late affair and meals are not meant to be rushed. If you are in a hurry, which is very un-Italian - especially at the evening meal, don't try to expedite the service in a restaurant, as you will only frustrate yourself and your server. Restaurant service is slow by design - in the Italian culture meals are a time to relax and visit. Those of you in a hurry will get poor service in Rome (or most of Italy for that matter). If you are in a hurry, stop for pizza or some other fast-food.
Rome is crowded in high tourist season and you need to make the crowds part of the fun. Think of it this way - great pizza, wonderful pasta, some of the best gelato in the world, good food, good wine and a romantic setting - who could ask for more?
The treasures of Rome are almost endless, which is what makes exploring the city so much fun. Take some time to wander off the normal track of highlights to find places like the two at the right edge of this page. Be prepared to take the good with the bad. For example, Rome has dense traffic, sometimes circling stunning works of art, like the Bernini Triton to the right.
http://www.thereareplaces.com/Guidebook/pdest/itropts.htm
Rome is particularly hot and usually sunny during the summer, so be sure to take your sunscreen and a hat that will shade your face and neck. Plan to tour in the morning or late in the day and spend lunchtime doing what the Italians do - eating and napping. Just make sure you hotel is air-conditioned! One more climate-related note: cool summer evenings are when Rome awakens!!
Dinner in Rome is a late affair and meals are not meant to be rushed. If you are in a hurry, which is very un-Italian - especially at the evening meal, don't try to expedite the service in a restaurant, as you will only frustrate yourself and your server. Restaurant service is slow by design - in the Italian culture meals are a time to relax and visit. Those of you in a hurry will get poor service in Rome (or most of Italy for that matter). If you are in a hurry, stop for pizza or some other fast-food.
Rome is crowded in high tourist season and you need to make the crowds part of the fun. Think of it this way - great pizza, wonderful pasta, some of the best gelato in the world, good food, good wine and a romantic setting - who could ask for more?
The treasures of Rome are almost endless, which is what makes exploring the city so much fun. Take some time to wander off the normal track of highlights to find places like the two at the right edge of this page. Be prepared to take the good with the bad. For example, Rome has dense traffic, sometimes circling stunning works of art, like the Bernini Triton to the right.
http://www.thereareplaces.com/Guidebook/pdest/itropts.htm
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