Official Language:
Italian
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Currency:
EUR
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Population:
Approximately 3,800,000 call Rome home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Rome Civitavecchia Italy: May and June are the best times to visit, as far as the weather goes. Spring weather can be quite variable, especially in April, with sunny skies in the morning and storms in the afternoon. May and June can be very pleasant, but temperatures often climb above 85°F/30°C in July and August. High humidity (around 85%) causes most locals to flee the city toward the end of summer. Fall remains sunny, but the temperatures are much milder. September-November is a nice time to go the weather's good for touring around, and you'll miss the early-summer crowds. Winters are generally mild, with January lows around 40°F/5°C. From May to September, the summer cruising months it is 75-85°F/24-29°C degrees daily. Daytime highs in March and April are a bit cooler and nights tend to be chilly.
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Cruise ships dock at Autorita Portuale di Civitavecchia, Molo Vespucci, in nearby Civitavecchia. Transportation is available at the port to take you into Rome itself. Local Transportation in Rome
The Roman Metro is fairly small, especially when compared to the sophisticated subways that run underneath London, Paris, or Barcelona. There are just two lines, intersecting at Termini train station. The subway does stop at or near almost every tourist attraction in Rome. Buses are extremely crowded, but they are very efficient in transporting you almost anywhere in the city. Taxis (tel. 06/6645) are everywhere in Rome, but it's easiest to let a hotel call one for you. While it's a good idea to use public transportation or a taxi to transport you from one side of the city to the other, you can cover lots of territory in Rome on foot. All of the sites in Vatican City are separated by a brisk walk, as are most of ancient Rome's ruins.
The dockside berth at Civitavecchia leaves nothing to be discovered and you will need a taxi to go into the town. From Civitavecchia you can also visit the excavations of Ostia Antica, Tarquinia and the Etruscan Tombs. The port is a commercial port hence no charm and no services. The only services are Internet service, a deli and a small market, which are located just outside the gates of the port. However, this port is the gateway to Rome, Italy's capital and 'Eternal City,' a living monument to a 3,000-year history that shaped the civilization of the Western world. The other important service Civitavecchia offers is a train station, about a mile outside the gates of the port, with a direct line to Rome.
Getting to Rome can depend on the traffic, a taxi, motorcoach or rental car will take between 1.5 - 2 hours easy...and could take longer. The other option is to take the train, which leaves every half-hour from Civitavecchia and takes about 1 - 1.25 hours. The train lands right in the heart of Rome at Termini Station. One advantage can be to take the cruise line motorcoach option (many cruise lines offer shore excursions that basically consist of driving passengers to and from Rome), although if traffic is nightmarish and the motorcoach is late coming back, the cruise ship will wait. Taxis line up at the port, but plan to pay about 100 euros each way.
Rome is a great walking city and within the center area most of the major historic attractions, shopping areas and fabulous piazzas are easy to get to on foot. However, Rome's bus system is also efficient and simple to navigate, particularly from Termini Station; individual tickets cost the euro equivalent of about 77 cents per ride or you can buy an unlimited daily pass for 3.10 euros.
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Attractions |
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Cruise passengers traveling to the magnificent city of Rome will find the gateway in the port of Civitavecchia. No matter which Roman site you choose, The Forum, the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, or St. Peter's Basilica that sparks your interest and intellect, Rome is home to a lifetime's worth of historical, architectural, and spiritual sites.
Any visit to Rome has to begin with a trip to Vatican City. You do not have to be Catholic to appreciate the amazing architecture, cathedrals, museums, and art galleries all within walking distance of each other. The Vatican City Tourist Office (Piazza San Pietro, tel. 06/6988-4466) is a tremendous resource in helping you get started.
Vatican City
This is where the head of the Roman Catholic Church lives, Pope John Paul II. Since 1929 it has been an independent and sovereign state partitioned off from the rest of Rome by thick, high walls. The sights within these walls demand respect and you should dress accordingly which means no shorts or sleeveless tops.
The city of Rome is sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful, it was one of the great centers of the ancient world. Although Rome's beginning is shrouded in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, it has always been and will always remain "The Eternal City."
Today’s Rome, with all of it's splendid churches, ancient monuments, palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafés and elegant shops, is one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities.
The Coliseum
Here was said: "Nos morituri te salutamus!" ("We who are about to die salute you!"). Every gladiator to fight in this monumental arena spoke these grim final words to the Emperor of Rome. The Coliseum sat 50,000 spectators who came to see the brutal fights between humans, wild beasts or a combination of the two. For a gladiator, the only hope for survival was to put up a good fight, entertain the emperor and audience, and be spared (to fight again). Notice the abundance of cats who call the Coliseum home.
The Roman Forum
Once the religious and political center of Rome, this is where Julius Caesar uttered the famous words "et tu Brute?" as each Senate member plunged a sword into his body. Today the remaining fragments of buildings, arches and bits of marble columns would be tough to decipher without a guide. Luckily for us there are plenty of guides walking about. Take your pick because most are tour guides are University students who'll give tours for free!
Circus Maximus
Also called a hippodrome, this was the largest chariot-racing arena of the ancient world and could seat up to 385,000 people. All the ladies and gentlemen of the city, including the Emperor, would dress up in their finest to see the various chariot drivers. Chariots were driven around the track seven times at literally a breakneck speed where many chariot drivers were trampled to death.
The Pantheon
Built in 27 B.C., this is the best preserved of all the monuments in today's Rome. It consists of a column-lined porch in front of a giant dome with a hole in the center, symbolizing the eye of heaven.
The Sistine Chapel
Arguably the most famous chapel in the world. The Sistine Chapel was built in 1473 to the exact dimensions of the Old Testament’s Temple of Solomon. The Chapel which is impressive in its own right, however, most people come to see the art of Michelangelo. On the ceiling you’ll find his masterful rendition of the bible’s history of the world. Divided into three sections: Moses’ life before the Ten Commandments, Moses life until the birth of Jesus, and Jesus’ life, the piece took 4 years of backbreaking patience to complete. Behind the altar you’ll find Michelangelo’s famous The Last Judgment (which he started twenty two years after finishing the ceiling), and on sidewalls works by famous Renaissance painter Botticelli among others.
Santa Maria Maggiore
Originally founded in 350 A.D. by Pope Liberius, is Rome's primary church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Some of Rome's greatest artists contributed to this cathedral including Sangallo, who decorated the ceiling, Bernini, who designed the apse, and Michelangelo, who designed one of the chapels. This is also the burial site of some highly prestigious people including St. Matthew the Apostle, Pope Paul V and Clement VIII, the Bernini family, and the Borghese family.
Piazza Navona
Considered to be one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome. The piazza was built over Emperor Domitian's stadium, which was even larger than the Coliseum. The oblong shape is still evident of this fact. There are many beautiful statues here; most famous of all is Bernini's Fontana Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of Four Rivers) built in 1651 A.D.
Gallery Borghese
This is where on a hot summer's day is a beautiful to walk through the shady garden estate of Cardinal Scipione. The Cardinal was a great patron of the arts and his estate also houses a fantastic museum featuring some of Italy's finest artists including Bernini, Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, and Rubens.
Trevi Fountain
A giant 18th century fountain that features Neptune in a chariot drawn by sea horses. Originally commissioned by Pope Urban VIII, construction on the fountain was begun by Bernini and Pietro da Cortona but was halted when the Pope died. Nicola Salvi took over the job in 1751 and spent nearly 20 years perfecting this baroque masterpiece. It is said that if you toss a coin in the fountain over your right shoulder, you will return to Rome!
The Spanish Steps
Wedged between upscale palazzos and a 16th century Franciscan Church, is one of the best spots in the city to people watch in Rome. Climb the mere twelve flights of stairs to watch the sunset, eat lunch or simply rest for a few minutes and watch the bustling crowds below shopping at the city's most fashionable stores.
Trastevere District
During the ancient Roman period this is where Julius Caesar and Cleopatra lived in Rome. After the Middle Ages it became the main working-class district, known as er core de Roma (the heart of Rome). Today it is home to an artistic community, which tends to attract American artists and other foreigners. On Sunday mornings there's a very popular flea market held here called Porta Portese.
St. Peter's Square-Piazza San Pietro and St. Peter Basilica
Designed by the famous artist Bernini, was the vast avenue that is flanked by columns and leads directly to St. Peter's Basilica. The Basilica is built over the tomb of the martyred St. Peter and was designed by Michelangelo. Inside it is richly decorated featuring Michelangelo's famous sculpture Pieta and Bernini's bronze canopy located over the papal altar.
St. Peter's Basilica (Piazza San Pietro, tel. 06/6988-4466) is one of the more awe-inspiring sites in the world. There is no rationalizing or diminishing the wonder you will feel when you enter this massive edifice. Artwork from some of the greatest Renaissance artists surrounds you. The Vatican grottoes are downstairs, where popes throughout the centuries have been buried. Also inside is the tomb of St. Peter himself. If you are in good shape, it's imperative that you climb the 491 steps to the top of Michelangelo's dome. The view from the top of the dome, overlooking the Vatican Gardens and the rest of the city, makes the exhausting trip completely worthwhile. Make sure you are dressed appropriately, as the cathedral enforces a strict dress code prohibiting shorts and skirts above the knee. You can expect to sweat if you visit during the summer.
After leaving St. Peter's Basilica, make your way to the richest collection of art in the world, the Vatican Museums (Viale Vaticano, tel. 06/6988-3333). Like the Louvre in Paris or the Uffizi in Florence, there is far too much to see here, so much so that you could go to the museums every day for a month and still not get to appreciate every piece. But of course, no matter what you decide to view here, you will be funneled towards a true masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel. Photography is not permitted in the Sistine Chapel, and although the room is full of tourists, you can hear a pin drop. Words fail you, as the sheer beauty of what you see above you awes you.
Across town are the remnants of Ancient Rome, starting with the still awesome Colosseum (Piazza del Colosseo, tel. 06/700-4261). Built in 72 AD, the Colosseum was the bloody theater for some epic battles between man and beast, and sometimes between man and man, to the delight of the sadistic Roman populace. An earthquake damaged the Colosseum, and it was later stripped of much of its grandeur to help build cathedrals and other monuments. It is currently being restored. Don't bother taking a tour or renting the audiocassette accompaniment. Just walk around inside and let your imagination run wild. It truly is an amazing sight to behold. The rest of Ancient Rome's sights, including Circus Maximus and the Imperial Forums, deserve a cursory glance, and not much more if you are short on time.
The Pantheon (Piazza della Rotonda, tel. 06/6830-0230) is an architectural masterpiece, not to mention a great spot for people watching, or for visiting the tomb of Raphael. The Piazza di Spagna is where you'll find the famous Spanish Steps, so named because the Spanish Embassy used to be located here. Most of the better boutique
Shopping
Here you will find it all!Gucci, Prada, Armani, and Versace to name a few! Rome's store windows feature the creative fashions from the designers you've heard so much about. A great buy in Italy is the leather products including bags, shoes, belts, wallets, and jackets.
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More Information |
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Web: www.enjoyrome.com
Web:www.Civitavecchia.com/uk/index.html
There are visitor information centers seemingly everywhere in Rome. Two separate organizations are in the business of helping you find your way around the dizzying streets of Rome. In Stazione Termini, Rome's main train station, you can visit either Comune di Roma (tel. 06/4890-6300) or Aziebda Provinciale di Turismo (tel. 06/487-1270).
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