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Rome

Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one

of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded

in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always

been and remains the Eternal City.

Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art

flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman

legions swept outward, conquering all of Italy. These victorious armies then

swept across the Mediterranean and beyond to conquer most of the known world.

With Rome's establishment as capital of the western world, a new ascent to glory

began.

Today's Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious

parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafes and elegant shops, is

one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous

monuments is the Colosseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine

the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combats between

muscled gladiators and ferocious animals.

Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city's political and commercial

center. In later times, Rome's squares were enhanced with such imposing structures

as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di

Trevi. Join the millions who stand in awe of Christendom’s most magnificent

church and admire the timeless masterpieces of Michelangelo's frescoes in the

Sistine Chapel.

Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Grasp all you can during the short,

precious time you have available in the Eternal City. With so much to see and

do, a day or two will only allow you a sampling of the city's marvelous treasures.

Caution: As in many big cities and tourist destinations purse snatching

and pickpocketing is common. Valuable jewelry and excess cash are best left

in a safety deposit box in your hotel.

Shopping For most visitors shopping for beautiful Italian leather articles,

designer shoes, fashions for men and women, linens, knitwear, silk scarves and

ties is a favorite pastime. Except for tourist-oriented shops, the majority

of stores are closed on Sundays. Some of the department stores, such as Rinascente,

open in the late afternoon on Sundays.

Cuisine Rome's choice of restaurants is mindboggling as is the variety

of cuisine. Whether your meal is at a top-rated restaurant or a rustic trattoria,

you can be sure that you will enjoy your food, especially when accompanied by

wines from the hill towns surrounding Rome.

Other Sights Rome's attractions are endless, and depending on how much

time you have at your disposal a careful selection has to be made about what

to see. Be aware of horrendous traffic conditions and major construction work

all around the city in preparation of Jubilee 2000, the Holy Year. Some of the

sights not to be missed:

Piazza Venezia - This busy square is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio

Emanuele II Monument. The white marble structure was inaugurated in 1911 as

a symbol of Italy’s unification.

The Forum - Once the civic heart of ancient Rome, today the remains include

a series of ruins, marble fragments, isolated columns and some worn arches.

Colosseum - No visit to Rome is complete without a stop at this awe-inspiring

theater, which is among the world’s most celebrated buildings. Here ancient

Rome flocked to see gladiatorial contests and numerous other spectacles.

Trevi Fountain - Take a stroll to Rome's famous fountain. A spectacular fantasy

of mythical sea creatures and cascades of splashing water, the fountain is one

of the city's foremost attractions. Legend has it that visitors must toss a

coin into the fountain to ensure their return to Rome.

St. Peter's Square - Part of Vatican City, this square created by Bernini

is considered one of the loveliest squares in the world. Twin Doric colonnades

topped with statues of various saints and martyrs flank either side of the square.

In the center stands an 84-foot obelisk, brought from Egypt in 37 A.D.

St. Peter's Basilica - At the head of the square stands Christendom's most

magnificent church, which was begun in 1452 on the site where St. Peter was

buried. Throughout the following 200 years, such Renaissance masters as Bramante,

Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design and created an unparalleled

masterpiece. Of special note are Michelangelo's Pieta and the bronze canopy

over the high altar by Bernini. The immense dome was designed by Michelangelo.

Vatican Museum - To see this museum's immense collection would take days.

As you enter, there are special posters that plot a choice of four color-coded

itineraries. They are repeated throughout the museum and are easy to follow.

It is a good idea to pickup a leaflet at the main entrance and concentrate on

exhibits of major interest. Of course, the Sistine Chapel is a must. Most likely

you may have to wait in line to enter.

Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Capri

Known as the "Island of Love" since the days of the Roman Empire, Capri offers stunning views, dozens of international cafes, fine Mediterranean restaurants and sophisticated resort shopping. Enjoy a boat trip around the coast to witness the hypnotic beauty of the Blue Grotto.

Assisi

Assisi is a well-preserved medieval town that's, after the Vatican, Italy's

second most-popular religious-pilgrimage destination. Located high on a hilltop,

it has an air of mystical serenity in keeping with its history. Assisi was the

home of St. Francis (the founder of the Franciscan order of friars), and the

churches and crypt that bear his name draw a steady stream of pilgrims and sightseers

every year. Although the town was rocked by an earthquake in 1997, much of the

damage has been repaired. One of the most severely damaged buildings, however,

was the treasured Basilica of San Francesco, known for its vivid frescoes by

Giotto that depict the life of the saint. The upper basilica has recently reopened

and, though restoration continues, many of the beloved frescoes can be admired

again. The lower basilica and St. Francis' tomb are also open to the public.

Other places of interest include the Church of Santa Chiara, a medieval fortress

(La Rocca Maggiore), the Piazza del Comune (the old town center) and St. Peter's

church. Or just stroll the narrow, picturesque streets and listen to the musicians

practicing nearby (though they may be drowned out by construction noises --

many buildings are still under renovation).

You may want to visit during one of Assisi's numerous celebrations: the Feast

of Calendimaggio, a five-day coming-of-spring festival with medieval costumes,

dances and songs (around the first week of May); a month of folklore and musical

events in August; or the Feast of St. Francis (4 October), which celebrates

the saint's transition from this life into the next. During this two-day festival,

the entire town is illuminated by oil lamps. If you are going to Assisi at one

of these times, reserve accommodations well ahead of time -- the city will be

filled with pilgrims.

Tuscany

Tuscany is a charmed land, equally blessed by the genius of man and nature,

and often by the combined efforts of both. Think of the vineyards: rows of baby

green vines that manage somehow to march in arrow-straight formation up the

gently rolling hillsides, bounded by single files of darker green cypress trees,

snaking sandy roads leading to rust-colored farmhouses and moss-coated castles,

symmetrically rounded hilltops surmounted by towns so homogeneous as to seem

one single building. Every inch of land has been sculpted, first by the elements

and then by generations of inhabitants whose goals were always twofold: make

the land produce as much as possible, make the land as beautiful as possible.

Tuscany enchants us today because it holds together as a region, from the tiniest

hamlet to Florence the Magnificent. For the living proof, take a short walk

one day along the sides of the Belvedere in Florence: you will leave behind

the traffic and suddenly find yourself strolling down quiet lanes bounded by

tall stone walls, cypress trees and creamy-colored villas.