EASYROME

The Colosseum - Anticipate a long line. You can hop the queue if you choose to take a tour, but if you are not interested in a tour, there is still a way to skip the queue. Walk across the road to the Roman Forum, you can purchase a day pass for ?10, or a 7-day one for ?20 or a normal Colosseum + Palatine voucher at ?11. This will get you in to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Baths of Caracalla, and the catacombs. If you don't want to do everything in one day, get the pass. There are plenty of people offering tours in English at the way in to the Colosseum. Once there you can take a tour (English, Spanish, or German) every half an hour or so for an extra price of ?3.50. The tours guides are interesting but you can visit all the areas on your own if you wish.

The Pantheon - A wonder of early architecture, this ancient temple to all the gods is renowned for its big dome, imitated during Greek and Roman revival periods by such designers as Thomas Jefferson, who styled his Monticello and the Rotunda at the college of Virginia on it. Built during the period in office of the emperor Hadrian (AD 125-128), the Pantheon carries a devotion to Marcus Agrippa, who built the unique structure in this area in 27 BC. As it is still a running church, peace is requested during your stay. From within the Pantheon, you'll see an opening in the dome; during the time in power of Pope Urban VIII, the Pope demanded that the bronze ceiling of the Pantheon's portico be melted down.

The bronze was used to create bombards for the reinforcement of the Castel Sant' Angelo. Free Entry.

Roman Forum - If stones could speak: these sacred ruins were the most commanding seats of govt in the whole world. The Forum is far less busy than the Colosseum and, from a historical view, much more appealing. Free entry, except for a sound guide, which is highly suggested. To set foot in the political, legal and religious centre of the entire Roman Empire is a huge thrill. It is the finest way of imagining the magnificence and beauty of ancient Rome.

Palatine Hill - Adjacent to the Roman Forum, contains the shell of many large villas that belonged to rich Roman families. You can purchase a pooled ticket for the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum here, avoiding the long queues at the Colosseum

Fori Imperiali, ? Entrance ?7 (discount for EU nationals, free admission for EU history students). The inside of the fort is very alike to a museum, with many rooms containing objects in glass cases. It can be a little bit of a jumble so take a moment to orientate yourself. it is worth hiking to the very top to inspect the city and the Vatican.

Museums in Rome

The Capitoline Museums - (each day 9.00-19.30) Tu-Su 9.00am-8.00pm; Dec 24th, 31st 9.00am-2.00pm (the ticket office closes an hour in advance) not open on Mondays, 25th Dec, 1st Jan, 1st May. The museum holds an excellent set of classical art, as well as early sculpture. The Capitoline piazza, sandwiched between the 2 museum buildings - planned by Michelangelo, is stunning. Discover these museums, and then head out the rear of the square to the Forum, where you'll see the leftovers of the Temple of the Vestal Virgins, among plenty of other buildings approaching the Colosseum. Reserve tickets online Regular ?6,50 (+ ?1,50 for exhibitions), Discounts ?4,50 (+ ?1,50 for exhibitions). The majority of tourist attractions in Rome are easily reachable by road.

Palazzo Massimo ? There is a wonderful group of ancient Roman sculptures, mosaics and wall paintings, together with the well-known paintings from the Imperial-era villa revealed under the Villa Farnesina. Also on view is the bedroom from the Empress Livia's country house at Prima Porta. Positioned across the piazza from Termini, parallel to the Baths of Diocetian. ?7.00.

Galleria Borghese - +39 06 8555952, booking: +39 06 32810 Tu - Su 9.00 - 19.00 (note: obligatory exit at the end of selected 2 hour slot). There are a number of very distinguished works by Antonio Canova and Gian Lorenzo Bernini here. The amount of people admitted is restricted to 200 every 2 hours, so make an e-booking well in advance for the time you would like. No cameras are permitted Regular ?8.50, Discounts ?2.00.

Villa Giulia Museum +39 06 3201951, Each day 8.30 - 19.30. Closed Jan 1st, Dec 25th. The most wide-ranging compilation of Etruscan art and artifacts anyplace, well worth the entry charge. Cameras are strictly prohibited. The museum is a little off the beaten track but is well worth a visit. Regular: ?4.00 Discounts: ?2.00.

Fiona Hilliard is a travel writer for argus and Car Hire Italy

Article Source: ArticleSpan