Rome: The Roman Experience

If you have not visited any other city in the world, you are missing something. But, if you haven't visited Rome, you are, for sure, missing everything. It's the kind of place that makes you happy, makes you sad, shocks you, amuses you, and enthralls you - all at the same time. It is a city with an emperor's soul.

All roads lead to Rome. And once you are in it, it just gets better. Just start walking around. Walk till you are tired and tanned, stunned and amused, and finally, mesmerized. Start off from the Termini station, the big dog of all the train stations in Italy. You will feel bogged down by the crowd; the boards that keep reminding that you can get robbed anytime. If you are taking basic care of your belongings, you needn't worry. Just stay there and soak in the city vibe. But yes, keep walking.

The best thing about Rome is, it's a pedestrian's paradise. You can see this city eye to eye by just exploring it by foot. You can see the magic of Fontana di Trevi, the famous fountain with magical waters, the flash of marble of the Spanish Steps, the street art at Via dei Corso, the colourful Piazza Navona, and ultimately, the place which represents the vibe completely - The Pantheon and the Piazza Della Rotonda. This square is filled with struggling artists displaying their craft on the street. The music will take you overboard, the mime artists will make you laugh, and the capoeira artists will take your breath away by their crazy acrobatics. Finally, when you walk down the Ponte St Angelo to the other side of the Tiber onto the Vatican, you get the taste of the spiritual soul of the city. Technically, it's a different country, but it is safe to say 'its heart is Roman'.

"Rome was not built in a day". Neither can it be seen in a day. Even one full day at the Colosseum and the ancient Rome is not enough. Check into the giant Colosseum first, the place of brave men and Gladiators, the place that saw over tens and thousands of men and animals lay down their lives in deadly fights. This place surely runs into you and takes you back a thousand years into the Roman History. Take a deep breath to recover because the view of the city from the adjacent Palatino hills is equally stunning. Soak into the feel of Empire at the Roman Forum when you get over from the surprises this city throws at you. You are sure to get hungry by this time. Not far away is Hosteria Da Nerone. Sink in to the Lasagna. When in Rome, it's best to have lived like a Roman.

From the Vatican to Trevi, from the colourful Urban Via dei Corso to the giant Colosseum, as this city changes colours at the drop of a hat, you are sure to get intimidated, and once you recover, you are just in awe of this city.

Sometimes you just can't find right words to describe Rome. It's just that kind of a city.