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Visiting Rome is, of course, a different proposition from spending a day in either Florence or Siena. The various sites are spread over a larger area and it is almost better to see either the Ancient Rome of the Colosseum and the Forum with the Palatine Hills and the Capitoline or to see St Peter's and the Sistine Chapel and the Tiber area, than to try to do it all in one day. Then again you may prefer to wander in the back streets and take in the many beautiful squares, including the famous Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and to relax in one of the many cafes and watch the world go by.
If you decide to explore the Roman remains then a good starting point is Trajan's Column and from there you can make your way alongside the Via Dei Fori Imperiale and through the Forum until you reach the Colosseum, taking in the various arches of Septimimus Severus, Titus and Constantine and passing the House of the Vestal Virgins and the Basilica of Constantine as you go.
The Palatine with the house of Livia and the Domus Flavia can be reached from the Roman Forum and makes a welcome break with its shady pine trees. This is a good place for a picnic and offers a wonderful view over the ancient city you have just been exploring.
The Capitoline is a must if you visit Rome with its Aracoeli Staicase and the Piazza del Campidoglio designed by Michaelangelo. The Palazzo Nuovo and Palazzo dei Conervatori museums are situated on the Piazza and there is a fine statue of Marcus Aurelius.
St Peter's and the Vatican City are quite some distance from the ancient part of Rome and on the other side of the River Tiber. The 40 and 64 buses run regularly from in front of Termini Station or if you are prepared for a longish walk from say Piazza Venezia, and have a reasonable sense of direction, you could map out a route taking in many of Rome's lovely squares, churches and narrow streets.
Everyone discovers their Rome in a different way - sometimes by studying the guide books or through recommendations, but more often it is by accident. Be prepared to get lost and re-found. "Less" can often be "more" in this city, overflowing with art, history and beauty, it will make you want to return again and again.
Montepulciano PienzaLa Foce San Antimo Banfi Montalcino
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