by Alice Mcbrearty

Created on: June 03, 2008

When in Rome...walk - home to more than three million people and attracting thousands of tourists every month, Rome is buzzing with life; yet it is possible to discover and marvel at the great remnants of the Eternal City's glory days on foot.
Founded more than 2,700 years ago, Rome is one of Europe's oldest cities and was once hub of the Roman Empire, stretching from northern England to North Africa. Its historic centre has grand squares with stone statues and fountains, brass bands, saxophonists, horse-drawn carriages navigating the cobblestone streets, and mime artists performing impressive tricks to passers-by (some of whom, somewhat bafflingly, captivate their audience by posing motionless as lampposts for hours on end).

All in a day see the striking Colosseum - once an entertainment hub for bloody, gladiatorial conquests involving men and wild beasts - and to visit the crumbling temples of the immense Roman Forum.
Stroll on to the Pantheon, Temple of the Gods', which is over 2,000 years old and one of Rome's best preserved monuments. Nearby is the Trevi Fountain, often sited as one of the most romantic sights in the world. Also within close proximity is the Vatican, St Peter's church (San Pierto basilica) and Castel Sant'Angelo. Headed by the Pope, the Vatican is the centre of power for Catholics across the world and its museums house ancient treasures and works of art such as Egyptian tombs and mummies and the remarkable Sistine Chapel ceiling, which Michelangelo began work on seven hundred years ago. The dark, winding corridor of massive fortress Castel Sant'Angelo rises to a rooftop panoramic view of Rome (on which I spotted Stadio Olimpica, football ground of Italian giants Roma and Lazio).
It is easy to see why creative masters such as Lord Byron, Charles Dickens and Henry James have been inspired by Rome - the legacy of its fascinating history can be seen everywhere, and it only takes a little bit of imagination to get a sense of the city's rich cultural past, blending effortlessly with the modern-day metropolis.
Walking can be combined with use of the city's easily-mastered underground metro - which has stations helpfully named Colosseo', Vatican' and so forth. Daily and weekly passes can be purchased at metro stations across the city.
Although spring and autumn are considered the best times to visit - being cooler and less touristy - experiencing Rome in summertime has its advantages. From June onwards, there are lots of free cultural events on, such as open-air parties, live music, puppet shows, market stalls and fireworks, while mid-July sees the start of the big sales. And for two weeks beginning August 15th, most Romans flee the city to holiday at the seaside, leaving the streets quieter and many shops closed.
To avoid the crowds, visit places during less busy hours like early morning, and to prevent collapsing from heatstroke halfway through the day make like the Italians and take a siesta' between one and three-thirty (the hottest part of the day and also the time when many places close briefly). A siesta gives you a chance to relax, take a long lunch, and plan the next part of your sightseeing venture.

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