Rome - The Destination

In its heyday, Imperial Rome was the headquarters of the largest and most powerful empire in the world, stretching from the north of England to North Africa. Later the city became the centre of Christianity. Now more than 2,700 years old, Rome pulsates with a Mediterranean beat that is both ancient and modern.

Like any great city, Rome is best experienced by foot. Two walking tours take visitors walking past many of the popular sites. Begin this tour at the Spanga Metro Station and walk to the piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. For centuries, foreigners have wandered the piazza and lived in the Rome's former hotel district. The steps were built in the 1720's to link the square with the French church of Trinita dei Monti above.

Once you climb down the steps, walk south about 500 yards to the Trevi Fountain, Rome's largest and most famous. The site originally marked an aqueduct built during the 19th century B.C.; now it is a magnet for tourists, who enjoy viewing the statues of Neptune and his sea creatures tossing and in a coin for good luck.

Continue south down Via del Corso and duck down side streets to Piazza della Rotonda, home of the Pantheon - one of Rome's best preserved ancient buildings, built by Hadrian in the second century. Behind a columned fa?ade lies the Pantheon's tour de force, a vast doomed structure with a circular opening at the top to let in light. The Pantheon's interior is lined with grand marble stones and the tombs of Italian kings.

The glory of ancient Rome surrounds you when you step outside the Colosseo Metro station to view the Colosseum, built by Emperor Vespasian on the site of Nero's palace. Thousands of animals and men met a grime fate in the city's largest amphitheatre, fighting to death before crowds of 55,000. Remnants of the arena floor, which housed a network of lifts and cages for the animals, can be seen from inside the looming structure.

Walk across the street to the Roman forum, the ceremonial centre of the city 2,000 years ago. Temples glorifying Roman gods, arches commemorating triumphant battles, and stately edifices housing the seat of government fit within the area that is less than one mile long. Churches were later built, incorporating the remains of temples as entryways.

Above the Roman Forum and Colosseum stands The Palatine, a tree-lined hill that was home to emperors and wealthy patrician citizens. Remnants of mud huts dating back to the 8th century B.C. were found here, supporting the legend of Rome's beginnings by mythological twins Romulus and Remus. Wall paintings and marble flooring can still be seen within the once-grand palaces.