2011-11-08 
If you are planning a tour of Italy then you must, of course, consider Rome. Its two and a half millenia history has earned it the name "the Eternal City". It has, in its time, been the centre of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, the Kingdom of Italy and (since 1946) the Italian Republic. The entire centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting diverse architecture from across Rome's long history. The Colosseum is one of the world's most visited tourist destinations, attracting 4 million visitors each year. Those tourists will be treated to one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. Constructed in the first century AD, the Colosseum was originally used for the Romans' famously bloodthirsty forms of entertainment (which covered everything from gladiatorial contests to public executions to Classical dramas), though since the Middle Ages it has been a fortress, housing and a Christian shrine amongst other uses. If you're stopping off in Rome on your tour of Italy you may want top make a night of it. There is a plethora of nightclubs and bars to appeal to all tastes. Well known hotspots include Akab Cave in Testaccio. With a dance floor in a cave (hence the name) and a Japanese style garden out back, it offers the tourist a style that goes beyond the simply gimmicky. A touch of high class is brought by Brancaleone out in the suburb of Montesacro. Those making the trip will not be disappointed as, as well as a dance floor, Brancaleone also boasts an exhibition gallery, library and outdoor space. Classy. The Rock Castle Café is a popular venue with both locals and tourists. Located, as the name suggests, in the dungeons of the Palazzo Cenci, you can enjoy a cocktail and a dance in a uniquely medieval setting. A note of caution, unlike most London clubs, the Roman venues do not typically have a set house style of music: instead, the style of music rotates on a semi-regular basis depending on which DJ or band is playing on any particular night. If you have a particular fondness for New Wave, electro, dance or house, best to make sure which clubs are playing it that night before you set out. Rome and Milan are noted as the two cities that best exhibit the Italian sense of style. Some of Italy's oldest jewellery and clothing lines were founded in the city and the modern tourist can still find parades of boutique fashion houses selling the very coolest in designer ware. The sports fan will also find much to attract them in Rome. The city has hosted any number of major sporting events across its history. It was the site of the 1960 Summer Olympic Games, utilising a number of the city's ancient sites as event venues (e.g. the Basilica of Maxentius was used for the wrestling). Both the 1934 and 1990 Football World Cups were held in the city, the latter famously introducing high art to a traditionally populist sport with a performance by the Three Tenors the night before the final. Rome's long tradition of attracting sports fans looks set to continue as the city is currently bidding to host the Summer Olympic Games for a second time, in 2020. Whether you plan to spend an entire holiday in the city or want to make it just one stop on your wider tour of Italy, you can't go wrong with Rome. Once the centre of the world's mightiest civilisation, the Eternal City still shines with arts, history and culture. 2011-11-07 Start blogging by clicking in this area. Then simply type whatever you wish. You can also drag an object from the left hand column into this area. This will allow you to add pictures, videos, etc. to your blog posts.
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