By Courtney Singer
Rome
Italy
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One of the world’s great cities, Rome, Italy is a mix of ancient grandeur and modern elegance.  Roman ruins and Italian couture stand cheek to cheek in this unique metropolis; the Pope gives centuries old blessings to the masses recording him on cell phones.  EscapeWizard.com invites you to visit this blend of old and new, a place that truly has something for every taste.

Rome is quite easily accessible, with multiple airports and a train station.  The two airports near Rome are the Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) and the Ciampino International Airport (CIA). If you are flying into Rome from a non-European country, you will probably fly into Fiumincino; Ciampino is typically used by the smaller budget airlines which fly around Europe. You can purchase your air tickets through EscapeWizard.com. To do so, please use the following link (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php).  When booking hotel accommodations, please look below at our top selections of hotels within the city of Rome. This can be accessed by following this link to the hotel section of our website (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).

A prime example of Roman ingenuity and an excellent location to start your tour, the Colosseum dominates the landscape. Climb the cement stairs (the Romans invented cement, allowing them to build such mammoth structures) to get a view of the gladiatorial staging area. The actual stage has long since been demolished, but that is all the better to show the maze of tunnels and elevators used to lift the men and beasts into the arena. 

Right outside of Colosseum is Palatine Hill.  Palatine Hill was the traditional area reserved for the palaces of the Roman elite.  Notable notables that built their homes on the mound include Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Mussolini.  Also, on your way to the Hill make sure to note the towering Arch of Constantine.  Built to commemorate the victory of Constantine over Maxentius in the battle of the Milivan Bridge, the arch also symbolizes the legalization of Christianity. 

The Palatine Hill looks down upon the Forum on one side, and the Circus Maximus on the other.  Once you are done roaming through the remains of the royal homesteads, make your way down to either. The Circus Maximus is a giant earthen oval, once used to stage chariot races. The Roman Forum served as the center of Roman life for hundreds of years. Temples, markets, granaries, basilicas, etc. were all located in this outdoor community space. Specific sights to see: the Arch of Titus, House of the Vestal Virgins/the Temple of Vesta, Temple of Saturn, and Tabularium.

After marveling at the grandeur of Ancient Rome, it is time to move on to the Holy Roman Empire.  And this, of course, requires a visit to the Vatican. Technically a separate city-state, the home of the Holy See resides in the northwestern section of Rome. To wander through the incredibly ornate and gargantuan St. Peter’s is free, but the Vatican museums are not.  An entire day is recommended for the museums as the immensity of the collections cannot be overstated.  At the end of the Classical Antiquities section of the museums, visitors are funneled into the world famous Sistine Chapel.  EscapeWizard.com suggests checking online for information about Papal addresses or ceremonies; to see the Pope is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Please see our profile on Vatican City for more detailed information.

For a glimpse of modern day Roma, head towards the Via del Corso. The Corso, as it is commonly known, ambles by many historically important monuments, temples, and cathedrals.  More uniquely however, this wide street houses some of the most important Italian designers around today. Grab a gelato and walk along the cobble stones, admiring the both the couture and clientele of the best fashion Houses.   

A pillar in the temple of human achievement, to see Rome is to go back in time. Though Roma follows along with the other great modern cities of the world, offering the same commodities and amenities, it was once (twice!) the seat of immense power. To visit Rome is to witness greatness. Just click the link above to start planning your Roman adventure with EscapeWizard.com.
Hotels in Rome
By Summer Brons
Westin Excelsior
Via Vittorio Veneto 125, Rome, Italy
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Since 1906, the Westin Excelsior has set the standard for luxury lodging in Rome. With a fantastic location in the Via Veneto district, the Excelsior gives travelers prime access to the finest offerings of the city. Popular area attractions include the Capitoline Museums, the Vatican Museum, Circo Massimo, Villa Borghese and Domus Aurea. A lively nightlife also awaits those who seek activity long after the sun sets over Rome.
 
With its luxurious amenities, the Westin Excelsior is nearly a destination all of its own. Enjoy working out in the 3200 square foot health club, complete with state-of-the-art equipment, an indoor pool, Turkish bath and a full service spa. Hit the Beauty & Relax Spa afterwards for a relaxing massage or pampering beauty treatment. The Westin Excelsior features 14,000 square feet of available meeting space, making it the perfect venue for everything from important business functions to glamorous weddings. A knowledgeable, friendly concierge staff is also available to assist with dining, entertainment, shopping and even city tour selections.
 
Excelsior offers its own selection of outstanding dining options, too. Enjoy the charm of a sidewalk cafe at Doney Restaurant, grab a cocktail with friends at ORVM, or mingle with the elite Roman locals at the high-class H Club>Doney.
 
Westin Excelsior hosts 281 guest rooms and 35 suites, any of which you'll be pleased to retire to after a long day exploring Rome. Standard features include a Westin Heavenly Bed, flat screen television, work desk, available internet access and a luxurious bathroom experience complete with bathrobe, slippers and upscale Westin bath amenities. Additional features are available in Deluxe and Grandluxe rooms, as well as an array of awe-inspiring suites including the truly special Villa Cupola.
 
For a special treat when visiting the Eternal City, you'll certainly feel pampered at the Westin Excelsior. Book your stay in these magnificant accommodations with EscapeWizard.com by clicking (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).
Hotels in Rome
By D. Gregory Perrin
Holiday Inn Express
Via Assisi 53, Rome, Italy
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During your next vacation in Rome, EscapeWizard.com highly recommends checking out the Holiday Inn Express. Vacationers only have to commute a short distance from the airport which makes the Holiday Inn Express very convenient. This hotel has an amazing staff that will help accommodate all of your needs. There are employees of the hotel that can speak a variety of languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. There are 120 rooms in the hotel, in which 7 of them meet the needs of accessible travelers. Guests can check in at 2 p.m. or after on the day of arrival into the city. Vacationers traveling with valuables can check in their valuables at the front desk to be stored in the hotel’s safe deposit box. Here at EscapeWizard.com, we recommend this option, especially when traveling abroad.

The rooms of the hotel are all soundproof to ensure guests have the optimum privacy available. Some rooms come equipped with a balcony for guests to enjoy during their stay. There is a television available all rooms with a full cable package. The Holiday Inn Express offers high speed internet service in all rooms for a small fee so that guests can keep in touch with loved ones via email and surf the web.

If guests need assistance with finding attractions or things to do in the city, they can take advantage of the hotel’s concierge services. The staff in this department can take care of all of your needs to point you in the right direction to Rome’s best attractions and deals. Business travelers can take advantage of the hotel’s business center. This center has photocopying, fax, courier service, printing and nearly any other option you could desire during your stay in Rome. Lastly, Guests of the hotel can take advantage of the on-site fitness center to maintain their normal work out regime.

In the morning, guests can take advantage of a complimentary breakfast and check out is at 12 p.m. on the day of departure. EscapeWizard.com highlight recommends the Holiday Inn Express in Rome, and encourages vacationers to book their hotel by following this link (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).