For those that really want to know exactly where it is at it is Piazza di Spagna 46/47 or right in front of a nest of white taxis. This is something I have noticed quite a lot while here. The position of every McD’s is always in nearby a tourist attraction. I guess the executives at the headquarters realise the need for a Big Mac for every American.

Now for those that are really curious I actually did eat there. I ordered a Big Mac value meal or meal number one, or for those Italians meal number uno. Was it any different then in the United States? Just ever so slightly. The salt on the french fries was rock salt and not that fine salt we use in our chain stores back home. Did it make a whole lot of difference? Not really. But since this is something I really wanted to do since watching the show it was something I made a point of doing.

That was probably the one and only time I will eat in McD’s while here. I am a big believer in the slow travel movement and eating in that particular restaurant kind of goes against my grain. But at least I can say that I have been there. It is just another story to tell.

Well that is it for now, Ciao.

The History of the Catacombs
The catacombs are some of the interesting burial places in Italy. Mazes of underground tunnels were used to bury thousands of bodies in several parts of Italy. Burials were forbidden inside the walls of Rome as early as the fifth century BC. Miles of tunnels were cut into the tufa to be used as burial chambers. The Roman catacombs contain thousands of burial niches as well as some good examples of early Christian art. Rome also has interesting catacombs beneath some churches and streets. One of the most impressive is the Capuchin Crypt beneath the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1645. The crypt contains bones of over 4,000 monks, many arranged in patterns or even forming objects such as a clock.

Location

The catacombs are located at the end of Via Appia Antica, which used to an ancient Roman Empire road but, now is a converted regional park. Tourists are advised to take a bus along the road, get off at the end of the park and walk or bike along the catacomb area. You should take bus 218 from the San Giovanni Metro Stop or take the Archeo bus. The catacombs are visited with a guide. Guided tours usually lasting 20 minutes to an hour are given in several different languages. The three catacombs easiest to visit have different closing periods. Visiting hours generally range from 8:30-12:00 and 2:30 to five in the evenings. You can buy tickets for the tours at the entrance to each catacomb. The St. Priscilla’s Catacombs are positioned at Via Salaria 430. Via Salaria is another ancient road of Rome heading out of the city at the Salaria gate, Porta Salaria, towards east to the Adriatic Sea. The catacombs are closed on Mondays. They are also closed for viewing to the public in the month of January.

Major Attractions

Tourists must visit the three major catacombs of the city. St. Callixtus catacomb is the biggest and most popular one. It has a network of galleries about 19 km long and 20 meters deep. It also has a wide transport linkage route with hordes of buses. Highlights of the catacombs include the crypt of nine popes and early Christian frescoes, paintings and sculptures. St. Callixtus is closed on Wednesdays and in February. St. Domitilla has the oldest catacombs. Entrance is through a fourth century church. Tour groups at St. Domitilla tend to be smaller. One of the main highlights is a second century fresco of the Last Supper. St. Domitilla is closed on Tuesdays and in January. The catacombs at St. Sebastian have a tunnel route of approximately 11 km. Highlights of the catacombs include early Christian mosaics and graffiti. St. Sebastian is closed Sundays and during the month-long Christmas holidays – from November 11 to December 13.
Visitor Information The Roman catacombs offer the serious and academic tourists the opportunity to revisit ancient Rome. Exploring the catacombs on foot with a map and guide is strongly encouraged. Tourists usually go in for week-long passes which allows them to explore the site at various time in peace. The price of admission is 5 euros. The reduced fee is 3 euros while, the full price of entry is 5 euros. The reduced fee holds for school classes presenting a certificate from their School — for groups of catechetical instruction in preparation for the first Holy Communion and Confirmation — for children and youth under 15 years and, for soldiers and police in uniform or with identification card. Free entrance is granted
o    to children under 6 years
o    to teachers of School groups and attendants of groups of Catechetical instruction, 1 every 15 pupils
o    to the seriously disabled
o    to the group leader and to one driver of the other groups

Eating and Fun

The tourism site is no place for children to have fun. The Cecilia Metella Restaurant located on the road of Via Appia Antica is a great place to eat lunch. It offers spectacular views serving dishes on the patio. Tourists can choose from a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes with beverages. Cars and private coaches are not allowed access inside the catacomb area. Tourists are also not allowed to take any food items inside the complex. Photography is strictly prohibited.

The Baths of Caracalla: History of Communal Bathing

Caracalla Baths are the second largest communal baths of Rome. They were built between 212 and 219 A.D. by Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who was known by his famous nickname of Caracalla. The red-brick ruins of the Baths of Caracalla are situated southeast of the city center. The bath complex is huge spanning more than 27 acre housing bathing facilities with seats for more than 1600 people. In ancient times, the baths were fed by a branch of the Aqua Marcia aqueduct, which brought pure water to Rome from springs in the hills near Subiaco. The hills were at an approximate distance of 90 km away. The water flowed into a huge cistern which was divided into 18 separate chambers for easy maintenance. It had a total capacity of 80,000 cu. m. From here it went by gravity flow through pipes underneath the gardens to the main building. The baths remained functional until 537AD when Goths destroyed the aqueduct, cutting off the water supply.

Historical significance

The ritual of bathing in ancient Rome was a complicated and tedious process. It started with a hot bath in the calidarium. This was followed by the lukewarm tepidarium, followed by the cold frigidarium. This was completed by a swim in the natatio i.e. an open air swimming pool. The baths are considered historically relevant as they bear testimony to the excellent drainage and water distribution facility engineered by ancient Romans. A complicated distribution system carried the water directly to the cold pools or to boilers over wood fires where it was heated for the warm and hot baths. Outlets from each basin and in the floor of each room led to the drains, which ran below the level of the distribution pipes and took the waste water to the municipal drain in the valley. Both distribution and drainage pipes were housed in tunnels providing easy access for inspection and maintenance. A third network of tunnels was used to store the enormous amounts of wood required to fuel the furnaces.

Major Attractions

The complex was designed to be a multifunctional leisure center. It also housed gymnasiums, libraries, gardens, art galleries, restaurants and even brothels. Today these ruined decaying rooms with their marble covered floors and intricate provocative figurines adorning the walls form a major tourist attraction. Its marble seats, mosaic covered walls and floors as well as fountains and statues also add to the attraction. Another interesting feature for some tourists is the heated rooms in the main building of the bathing complex. These rooms were situated on the south-western side of the building. The ‘calidarium,’ is known as the hottest room projecting the building contours and consequently taking of the sun’s rays. Hollow terracotta tubes ran inside the walls to provide insulation and channel hot air.

Visiting the Caracalla baths

The best times of the year to visit are April, May, and late September through October. The heat and sweltering crowds could make your tour unbearable. Similarly, if you traveling from outside the country, it is best to avoid the August month. August month poses as the holiday month for the Italians. The Caracalla baths hold great attraction in the cooling months of September and October. The complex provides myriad fun and adventure opportunities for children. Usually, the bathing complex plays host to school children on field trips. The baths are open to the public on payment of a small charge, which does not apply to students or pensioners. Access is limited to certain areas to avoid damage to the mosaic floors.

Travel and fun

Getting to the complex is generally by bus or tram. It is better to explore the complex ruins on foot with aid of a street map. The complex is adorned with street signs which make it easy for navigation by tourists. The ruins now serve as modern gymnastic facility for many sport events. Cultural and musical concerts also find a place in this historic place. The baths clearly reflect the ingenuity and organization skill of ancient Rome city planners and politicians.

Piece of Art in History

Pantheon means temple of all the Gods. Pantheon, the monument was constructed as a temple dedicated to all the Gods of Ancient Rome. It was constructed around 2000 years ago and is still considered as one of the best-preserved building of the Roman period, till date.

It was the second dome in the entire world to have been built until 1436, when Florence Cathedral was constructed. The dome of the Pantheon has a diameter of about 43 meters. The Pantheon is also the final resting place of many kings and noblemen. Pantheon is presently a Christian Church and masses are celebrated in the church.

Origin of Pantheon

The first and original Pantheon was constructed in 27 to 25 BC under the reign of Emperor Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. It got destroyed in 80 AD due to a huge fire. The date stamps of the bricks on the current Pantheon indicate that it was reconstructed in 125 AD under the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Although Pantheon was totally reconstructed, an inscription from the old Pantheon was added to the façade of the new Pantheon. The inscription states, “Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, built this”. Septimius Severus and Caracalla lately repaired the monument.

Classic Roman Temple

Michelangelo termed Pantheon, ‘angelic and a not human design’. Besides being divinely protected, Pantheon’s built with strong concrete ofpozzolona cement. It is a great masterpiece of architectural craftsmanship and art. Tourists from all over the world visit this classical Roman Temple.

Visiting the Site

Pantheon, one of the Rome’s top tourist attraction, is located near Piazza della Rotonda. There are various ways of commuting in Rome. These include bus, trams, shuttles, or trains. Rental bikes and cabs are also available for tourist convenience. The metro station, the Largo Argentina bus and tram stops are located near the site. Pantheon, one of the masterpieces of Roman period, has no entry fee for its visitors. One can also opt for a professional guide for a detailed view of the site. Pantheon is closed on 1st May, New Years day, and Christmas day. Many guides and local people will suggest that you visit the temple in the morning when sun is behind it.

Best Season to Visit

Tourist season starts around Easter and continues till October. The best season to visit Pantheon is spring or autumn basking in sunny skies and a mild temperature. Sometimes, late autumn can be rainy. July and August are unpleasantly hot. The best time to visit Pantheon is in the morning and then spending the afternoon shopping and dinning at the Piazza della Rotonda, a square that has a variety of shops, bars and restaurants.
Prices of food and goods near the Pantheon are quite high as compared to other places in the city. For the convenience of the handicapped, many transport facilities are available. The newer trams and trains are made accessible to people with disabilities.

It is truly a mesmerizing experience for tourists to visit Pantheon to feel the history and legacy of the building. Roman structures have always been mysterious and rich in culture. The innate history of this place attracts many tourists from different parts of the world.

Piazza Navona: Discovering the history

Technically speaking, Piazza Navona is a long shaped square ringed by steps and houses. In the glorious days of the Roman Empire, the Piazza used to serve as a stadium. It was called the ‘Circus Agonalis’ which stands for the literal translation of competition area. In the 15th century, the Piazza became the center of the city’s thriving market center and later came to be reputed as the Baroque architectural center.

Architectural and historical marvels

The Piazza market place was moved in 1869 and henceforth, the Piazza became the hosting site for Sunday feats, theatrical shows and horse races. The Piazza has three major manmade water attractions of an artificial lake and two impressive foundations sculpted by Giacomo della Porta. The fountains are called the Fontana di Nettuno built in 1574 and, the Fontana del Moro built in 1576. Originally designed by Bernini, the Piazza also has beautiful sculptures by Girolamo Rainaldi and by Bernini himself. It also holds a church designed by Pietro da Cortona.

Traveling and Sightseeing

Getting to the heart of the city, i.e. the Piazza Navona is usually by foot. As the Piazza is undergoing heavy restorations of its building and churches, admittance is free. Your best mode of traveling is getting to the street opposite the Piazza by bus or by train. People with disabilities prefer traveling by bus. Certain routed buses offer a one euro pass. The pass allows you to travel that entire day without any worry of travel cost. The area is always crowded with tourists all year round but international tourists prefer the seasonal time of late autumn in early October. A tourist is advised to dress appropriately – shorts and sleeveless clothing are frowned upon inside the Piazza churches.

Stay and have fun

Tourists usually view the Piazza as a fun area. It is considered romantic and adventurous. But one has to beware of pickpockets and, always travel in groups. As a tourist you will prefer to live in a nearby inn and prefer roadside eating. The area is dotted with many eateries and cyber cafes. Head for a Pizzeria and treat yourself to Italian food delights of kosher, ice cream, pizza and trippa. The Piazza also boasts of some vegetarian restaurants and wine shops. Bargaining forms the best possible method to buy any type of item in the Piazza. The Piazza has something for everyone. Piazza Navona is an extremely lively place with open air cafes around it. During the summer there are numerous artists who draw or paint members of the public for a fee. The place is crowded each day and there are often buskers and sometimes mimes to entertain. At Christmas time the piazza is filled with stalls selling figurines of all sizes and forms for cribs. It is an adequate spot for picnickers with safe drinking water from the fountains. The fountain water is safe fresh spring water. The fountains at Piazza run constantly offering you drinking water all round the clock.

Accommodation

Tourists who choose the Piazza as their first tourist stop usually look to stay near the sea. It provides the sounds of the exotic old world charm as well the hustle and bustle of the Piazza. Hotel Belvedere Century and Hotel Ping Pong provide modern and traditional facilities. Another option for the more daring and adventurous tourist would be camping. This is a cheap option and gives you freedom to choose your mode of sightseeing at your own pace. Happy Valley and Camping Tiber form the two popular camping sites of the city. Sightseeing in Rome is incomplete if you have not toured the Piazza on foot.

The Palatine Hill – Place in History

Palatine Hill is the centermost of the famous Seven Hills of Rome. Technically speaking, the Palatine Hill is an archeological excavation site containing the ruins of several large villas that belonged to wealthy Roman families. Archaeological evidence suggests traces of inhabitation from the tenth century onwards. It is believed that this hill is the birth place of the glorious Roman Empire. Evidence argues that the twins Romulus and Remus were found in the Lupercal Cave by their four-legged shepherd mother, who raised them. Later, Romulus decided to build the city.

During the Republican era, Palatine Hill became the fashionable place to live. The hill offers splendid views. It rises to an incredible height of 230 feet towering the city. Great warriors, emperors and nobles built their palaces there. It is said that Roman noblemen such as Augustus, Cicero, and Marc Antony resided on the hill. During the Middle Ages, churches and convents were built on Palatine Hill. Later, the hill became home to Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, who also created an ornate botanical garden on top of the ruins.

Major Attractions

Palatine Hill houses ruins of ancient palaces and other buildings. The southern end of the hill contains the remains of the palace of the Roman emperor, Septimius Severus between 193 and 211AD. Close to the Palace lie the huge bath ruins of the emperor. The north section of the palace of Septimius Severus houses the stadium. This stadium was built together with the adjacent palace of Domitian. Domitian’s palace forms the largest, oldest and most domineering tourist attraction in the whole of the Palatine hill site. The palace was built in 81AD — between two crests after the tall crest called the Palatium was leveled and the ground used to level the hilltop. The palace consisted of two wings, a private one called the Domus Augustana and the public Domus Flavia. The house of Augustus, the Temple of Apollo and the temple of Cybele also form major hill attractions. The Farnese Garden was built by Cardinal Allessandro Farnese in 1550 by filling in the ruins of the palace of Tiberuis. It is the first-ever botanical garden of Rome.

Location of the hill

The Palatine hill is conveniently located between two of the city’s largest and most impressive tourist attractions of the Roman Forum and the Colessum. You can take advantage of this location site by purchasing a joint travel and fee ticket for the Colessum and the Palatine Hill at 11 euro. There is also another option. If you a leisurely tourist interested in art and architecture, you can now buy the 22 euro weekly pass for the Colessum and the Palatine Hill.  You get to spend the entire weekend exploring and traversing the two sites. It is better to navigate and see the various vivid attractions on foot using an audio guide.

Visiting the site

Though the hill is open to visitors at all times, tourists generally prefer the cool months of
autumn. It serves a tourist well to stroll on foot enjoying the various sights. Getting there by bus and then walking about is cheaper. It also provides you with the opportunity to savor the hustle and bustle of modern Rome. The hill has been fitted with convenient facilities for disabled elderly tourists allowing them to enjoy the uphill tour at a relaxed pace.

Eating at the Palatine Hill

Roadside eating is recommended. Closeted between the forum and the Colessum, the hill offers solace to many eateries spec aliasing in Italian cuisine. This can either be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Prices are cheap and you get to embrace the ambience of historic Rome on a cool day. The hill’s ancient stadium now hosts many modern cultural events of plays and book review meetings.

The what and why of Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica is an ancient port town. It is a fascinating but under-visited archaeological site. Ostia Antica was originally developed as a sea port, prior to the silting up of River Tiber’s estuary. Ostia increased in importance from the fourth century BC, becoming a major naval and trading base. As Rome’s port, the town had commercial significance and expanded in size and grandeur to match this position. However, during the third century AD, its place was taken by a new port at Fiumicino. Within the next couple of centuries Ostia had begun its decline. The ancient Roman city of Ostia was originally situated at the mouth of the river Tiber, some 30 kilometers to the west of Rome. The inward shift of the shoreline in the middle Ages also saw the city moving inland. Today, it lies somewhat four km inward to Rome. Ostia is the Latin word for ‘mouth’ and it was the mouth or center of salt deposits during the Middle and Bronze Ages. The city is also famous for its imprint of slavery and immigration on history rolls.

Historical Attractions

Much of the town stands in ruins and is heavily excavated. Major tourism sites include the Roman theatre which hosts summer plays nowadays, the spectacular Forum, a large baths complex and more than one Mithraeum. It also has impressive mosaics and columns everywhere. The statues of the ancient city have been taken way for safekeeping purposes. Other tourist highlights include the smaller domestic detail — the fishmonger’s marble slab, the bar with its wares illustrated on the wall, the communal public toilets, the residential villas with peaceful courtyards.

Getting there

Traveling to Ostia Antica is easy owing to the location of the ancient city. Ostia has its own station which makes it convenient for tourists. You have to board the suburban train line to Ostia from Piramide Station which lies on Metro Line B. You can use your normal Rome travel ticket. The Ostia Antica station is about twenty minutes from Rome. After coming out of the station, most tourists opt to traverse the port city on foot at leisure. There are neither entrance fees nor any schedule times which makes it fun for all tourists including children and disabled tourists. You merely need a street plan of the city which can be obtained on the train from the ticket kiosk.

Navigating through the city

Have a street map in hand and plan how you are going to tour the ancient port city. You have to enter the city by the Roman Gate. This can be described as a metal fence protecting the scant remains of a city gate. The city gates and city wall were built in the first century BC by orator Marcus Tullius Cicero and completed by Publius Clodius Pulcher. Now you have entered the city. After passing through the gate you are on the main street of Ostia. The main street is known as ‘the Decumanus Maximus.’ The street is paved with basalt blocks. A few shallow wheel-ruts can be seen between the gate and the theatre. This indicates that the transportation of goods was done by slaves or pack-animals, not with wagons. Behind the gate lies the city square. In ancient times the square was adorned by a statue. Today, only a plastic mould of the statue decorates the square. Two identical dedicatory inscriptions also decorate the gate.
Having fun at Ostia

This ancient city is suited to the whims of every tourist. Conveniently located with plenty of transport options, it lures many tourists to spend entire weekends. It has a large number of restaurants serving both fast foods, traditional and non-vegetarian fare. Camping and outdoor sort activity form a favorite past time of the young adventurous tourist folk. The city also has a wide collection of books and antiques. Your tour of Rome comes to an end with a proper and leisurely tour of Ostia.

The Roman Forum: History and Background

Originally a marsh land, the Roman Forum lies in a valley situated between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. In the heyday of the Roman Empire, it was the seat of power. The Forum was the center of political and social activity.  The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. The original Forum structure included temples, a senate house and law courts. However, the Roman Forum was razed to the ground falling to ruins after the fall of the Roman Empire. It was later used as a pasture house and ground for cattle during the Middle ages.

Today, much of the Forum stands destroyed. Much of its grandeur and precisely structured stone blocks have been used to construct other buildings in Rome. Its columns and temples echo faded glory.

Attractions of Roman Forum

The Roman Forum through its sheer size and historic significance commands respect inciting many tourists to flock its ruined gateways. But, it boasts of two major attractions of the arch of Titus and the arch of Septimius Severus. Tourists get to admire and appreciate these architectural marvels as they have stood the test of time. They bear testimony to the great knowledge and power of the Roman Empire.

Getting there and Seeing it

Traveling to the capital of Italy poses no problems for the amateur and seasoned tourist. You can descend on the city of Rome either by plane or by train. Once inside, you can sightsee by means of bus, tram or taxi. You have 24-hour passes which allow you to travel anywhere inside the city. This is perhaps the cheapest and most convenient way to sightsee. Tourist train tickets called BIT and CIS also prove good for unlimited rides. BIT or the “Biglietto Turistico Integrato” is a 3-day ticket, valid until midnight of the third day on which the ticket is validated, while the CIS is the “Carta Integrata Settimanale” weekly ticket. Thus, these two tickets grant you unlimited rides on Atac or Cotral buses, subways and some local trains.But the best possible way to see the Roman Forum is by foot.

You can get to the Forum by bus and then circle the forum by foot. It is safe and convenient allowing you to devote as much time as possible to any particular sections. Buses and trams run on a schedule and often do not carry special facilities for disabled people. Admission is free but it is better to be armed with a map and audio guide to traverse the Roman Forum.

Entertaining in Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is usually not preferred by the adventurous tourists including the family oriented travelers. Unless well-acquainted with history to understand the importance of the stone walls, you could end up getting easily bored. In other words, if you have children you might want to engage them elsewhere before embarking to the Forum. The Forum is not open to visitors all the year round. August forms the peak season of national tourism when hordes of native descend upon the city. The summer months see many international visitors strolling around the Forum snapping photos. The forum is surrounded by shops selling designer clothes and other ware. In addition internet cafes and other dining spots also help to increase the attraction of the site.

Sleeping in the city

Exploring Rome and its myriad attractions requires you to have a plan, a map and lots of willpower. You need to get settled in quickly before actually walking about to see the attractions. Getting to the Roman Forum can prove a daunting task if you set up room in a hotel next to one of the airports. You need to find a hotel or an inn which lie east of the Tiber River and west of Station Termini. It is necessary to be aware that distances on a map might not be as close as they appear. This could mean wasting traveling time in getting to the bus terminal. It could mean getting bogged down by traffic when on for to the Roman Forum.

Timeline and location of Trajan Market

This ancient market area is a large complex of warehouses, shops and offices where the Romans would gather to purchase goods and conduct business. The market area was built between 107 and 110 AD by Apollodorus of Damascus during Emperor Trajan’s reign. It lies at the side of Quirinal Hill. Trajan’s market borders the Roman Forum serving tourists a double pleasure. The market has a large monumental facade consisting of a half exedra bordered by a row of columns. It lies at the opposite end of the Colesseum. The geographical structure is huge with floors. The upper floors of this market were used to sell oil, wine seafood and groceries. Trajan’s market area also used to house a convent which was later demolished in the 20th century. The entire structure was built in concrete and brick with a roof composed of a concrete vault supported by piers.

Historical Importance of Trajan’s market

Recent excavations have opened the commercial world of the Roman Empire. The market area bears testimony to the clothing, lifestyle and trading systems of the ancient Romans. Auditions and auctions were the common mode to sell and purchase wines. Oil and fruit were the main wares sold in the market. The market structure was divided into two floors which were further divided into miniature floors and cubicles.

Historical Attractions

Located in the center of the city, the market is not only a trading and historical site for tourists. It is an architectural relic with a large balcony on the top floor offering a spectacular view of the entire city. The ‘tabernae’ can be described as shops shaped as barrel-vaulted cubicles with small windows and a large opening to the street. They were decorated with mosaics depicting the wares in the shop. These tabernaes were located in the upper wing or level of the market. Another architectural facet is the small but charming cubicles located in the lower level of the market area. The cubicles and the halls used to host concerts, speeches or education. The roof of the market was meant to create light and space. It is fashioned as an arched concrete vault held by piers to allow sunlight to seep through into the shops while still protecting the shoppers from the unpredictable weather. In short, the Trajan market serves as a fine example of urban Roam architecture.

Getting to it

Being a city for the walking tourist, people prefer to stroll down the street to the Roman Forum and the Trajan market. But, some tourists opt for the transport means of the tram. The Tram routes mostly skirt the historic center, but there are stops convenient for the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Trastevere area. Tourists planning to visit the market usually get down at the Colessum and walk over to the Trajan’s market area. Hence, they get to view three historical sights in one go. Another growing means of transport is the metro service. Line B known as the Blue Line’ runs southwest past the Colosseum,

Eventful Trajan market

Decorated with bright lights at night, the market are hosts many diverse cultural events with tne dinning experiences. It affords a great fun attraction for children and disabled people. Though inaccessible to its interior, disabled tourists are able to traverse the frontal market areas at leisure. Trajan market runs two public events of the Roman Summer festival from late June through early September offers various musical events of jazz, rock, and classical music, and film, sport, theater and children’s fun. The market is is an open public tourism spot open hroughout the year. But, tourists seem to throng the place particularly in the summer months of May, June and July. The market also plays host to various modern internet cafés and restaurants.

Perhaps it is not the weather that is your biggest concern when traveling to Rome. For many budget travelers they are more conscious of saving some money then the climate or the crowds. Visiting during off peak times then is the best time to go as you will most certainly save some money.

If you are visiting with family and friends then the best time to go is when you are with them. While you may not be able to save a lot of money at least you will be with people you enjoy and therefore have a better time then if you were alone.

So basically the best time to visit Rome is when you are ready to enjoy the city the most. It all depends upon what your personal circumstances are. However if you want to avoid the crowds then visit during off peak travel times which I guess would be in Winter and Summer as Fall and Spring seem to attract the most amount of tourists.