ROME
Rome is a city that fascinates everyone with its uniqueness. It is called “the eternal city” and it holds centuries of history which can be seen in every corner of the city. Even so, it is a modern city, the capital of Italy, a place where architectural structures created by famous international designers are joined successfully to the best preserved historical city of the world. Rome is very popular for meetings and conferences. It is a city that everyone knows, it is safe, has a lot of history and a reputation for good food and wines. It also has more than 600 hotels and 120 congress venues and offers excellent standards for the success of a meeting. Most of the big congress venues are near the International Airport (Leonardo da Vinci) but many hotels within the city have congress halls. In addition to these, a new convention centre is being prepared in the Roman suburb Eur. Named “La Nuvola” (the cloud), the new convention centre will include enough space for 11000 people, a 600 room hotel and a multi-functional underground area of 15000 square meters.
Rome was recently named the best European city by readers of Travel Weekly and of Global Traveller. Many important groups meet in its congress halls such as NATO, the United Nations and hosts many technology and economic conferences and pharmaceutical meetings as well. Visitors must absolutely find some leisure time to go around the city and catch a glimpse of the historical sights. Rome’s transportation system offers many options to the traveller to choose from, such as taxi, bus, or open bus, underground etc. If the visitor doesn’t have many available days, then he must visit the most famous venues of the city. San Pietro in Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Piazza di Spagna, Colosseo, Fori Imperiali, Foro Romano, Campidoglio, Vittoriano, Ostia Antica and Galleria Borghese. More available days mean that the traveller will have the opportunity to have a better view of the city, visit some museums, such as the Vatican Museum, the Museum of the Imperial Forum or the Augustus Rooms at Palatine Hill, or travel to the surroundings, such as Tivoli and the area of Castelli Romani and of course Ciociaria, an area with abbeys, monasteries and medieval villages.
Rome is a place where everyone will have a good time. It has many coffee shops, restaurants and cafes, wine bars and an exceptional night life. Evening entertainment includes classical music and opera, which is not easily found in every city.
There are several famous restaurants and cafes some of them dated since 1760, such as the Antico Caffe Greco coffee house, where Goethe and John Keats used to hang out. Quinzi & Gabrieli, housed in a 15th century building serves some of Rome’s best seafood.
Rome is also the capital of shopping-after all Italy is famous for fashion and design. Tourists can shop in famous designers shops, such as Fendi, Ferragamo, Gucci and Valentino, or walk to Via Condotti, one of the most upscale shopping streets. Rome also offers buying opportunities for more budget-conscious buyers who can visit Via del Corso. Other than fashion visitors can purchase wine, porcelain, lace, glassware and religious merchandise and wonder around the small streets where small antique shops can be found. Of course, while being in Rome, don’t forget to throw a dime and make a wish in the famous Fontana di Trevi.
You will certainly leave Rome with the best impressions about the city. It’s a city which seduces the visitor and makes him want to come back one day and relive the good times he once had in it.
Italy Tourist Board
www.italiantourism.com