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There are all sorts of truly incredible places to see in the world, but not many locations have the sheer gravitas of Rome – “The Eternal City.”
Every year, huge numbers of people travel to Rome from all around the world, in order to see the Colosseum, to look at some of the most beautiful Renaissance art in the world, and to experience the many layers of history that exist in a place that has been continuously occupied by humans since prehistory.
There are many ways to see Rome. You can camp on the outskirts of the city, and catch the train in every day. You can rent a hotel there and backpack around on day trips. Or you can even hire a private driver in Rome to take you around in style, budget allowing.
Here are just a few of the many reasons to visit Rome on your travels.
It’s one of the birthplaces of Western civilisation
Western civilisation owes an incredible debt to certain ancient cultures and regions – and Rome is foremost amongst them.
Rome was, of course, the centre of the Roman Empire that gave the Western world the alphabet that most countries in Europe and the European diaspora still use today, in addition to legal codes, philosophy, art, and more.
In many ways, Rome is one of the core historical epicentres of Western civilisation as it is commonly understood today. A trip to Rome, therefore, can be extremely powerful as a way of peering back into the past, and tracing the lines of continuity that have carried the civilisations of Europe forward across the ages.
There’s an extraordinary mix of historical landmarks, modern cultural attractions, and dining and entertainment options
Rome is known as “The Eternal City,” for good reason. It is not only rich in cultural history In the more abstract sense, but is still dominated by buildings that span back millennia, and which, today, exist just across the street from modern cultural attractions and entertainment areas.
Rome is a great setting for a vacation, almost irrespective of what your particular interests are. If you’re fascinated by history, a visit to the Coliseum and Pantheon can be a transformative life experience. If you’re a gastro-tourist, the many fantastic restaurants of the city can keep you in a state of bliss throughout your visit.
And, if you like modern attractions and nightlife, the city has you covered there, too.
It provides a brilliant insight into some of the culture of Italy
Italy is a fascinating country, with roots back in the ancient Roman Empire, as well as lots of regional variation as a result of the relative independence of different regions until the recent past.
Rome can be an excellent place to visit if you want to get a good general insight into the culture – or cultures – of Italy as a whole.
The city is huge, featuring many people from all around Italy, and also from all around the world. Here, you can find some of Italy’s best-known dishes at the drop of a hat, and can explore assorted museums and art galleries that help to give you a good bird’s eye view of Italian civilisation and identity across the ages.
