VERBOVETSKI+Sofia

 **Trevi Fountain** The Trevi Fountain is perhaps one of the most visited sights in Rome. It marks the end of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. The aqueduct provides the fountains in the historic centre of Romewith water, carrying water from the Salone Springs, approximately 20 kilometres away. Pope Clement XII commissioned the creation of the fountain in 1732. The monumental baroque fountain, depicting the God of Neptune riding a shell pulled by two horses through water, was completed in 1762. There is a superstition that if you stand with your back to the fountain and use your right hand to toss a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain, you will return to Rome. Colosseum In the ancient world, the elliptical-shaped Colosseum, taking ten years to build, was the largest structure of its type. It stood 160 feet high with four stories of windows, arches, and columns. Each of the three exterior floors consisted of 80 arches. As many as 50,000 spectators with numbered tickets entered through 76 of the entrances on the ground level. Two of the remaining entrances were used by Emperor Titus and two for the gladiators. Upon entering the Colosseum, visitors climbed sloping ramps to their seats, according to gender and social class. Women and the poor stood or sat on wooden benches in the fourth tier. Depending on the weather, an enormous, colored awning (velarium) could be stretched overhead to prevent the hot sun from coming in on the spectators. A wooden flooring was used to cover the subterranean chambers where the gladiators as well as the animals were kept prior to performance. During the first ten years of its existence, the stadium was filled with water and used for mock naval battles. However, over time the Romans found it was damaging to the foundation as well as to the flooring.


 * Rome** ( English pronunciation: /roʊm/ ; Italian: //Roma//, pronounced [ˈroːma] ; Latin: //Roma//) is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated municipality (central area), with over 2.7 million residents in 1,285.3 km2 (496.3 sq mi), while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat to be 3.46 million.[2] The metropolitan area of Rome is estimated by OECD to have a population of 3.7 million.[3] It is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber river. The city has been one of history's most powerful and important centres, being the home of the emperor during the Roman Empire and the Italian government. The city also has a significant place in Christianity and is the present day home of the Roman Catholic Church and the site of the Vatican City, an independent city-state run by the Catholic Church.[4] Due to this, the city has often been nicknamed "//Caput Mundi//" (Latin for "Capital of the World")[5] and "//The Eternal City//". Also, Rome is widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful ancient cities[6].

Vatican City is a city-state that came into existence in 1929. It is distinct from the Holy See, which dates back to early Christianity and is the main episcopal see of 1.142 billion Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic adherents from around the globe. Ordinances of Vatican City are published in Italian; official documents of the Holy See are issued mainly in Latin. The two entities even have distinct passports: the Holy See, not being a country, only issues diplomatic and service passports; the state of Vatican City issues normal passports. In both cases the passports issued are very few.
 * Vatican City** [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Loudspeaker.svg/11px-Loudspeaker.svg.png width="11" height="11" caption="en-us-Vatican City.ogg" link="http://8cpostcards.wikispaces.com/wiki/Media:En-us-Vatican_City.ogg"]] [|/ˈvætɪkən ˈsɪti/] (help·info), officially the **State of the Vatican City** (Italian: //Stato della Città del Vaticano//, Italian pronunciation: [ˈsta(ː)to della tʃitˈta del vatiˈka(ː)no] ),[11] is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, the capital city of Italy. At approximately 44 hectares (110 acres) (0.44 km2), and with a population of just over 800, it is the smallest country in the world by both population and area.[5][12][13]

Rome Autumn Weather
Without fail, Romans recommend that the best time to travel to Rome is from mid-September to October. Yes, it might rain, but the temperatures turn out to be quite nice, even if it is getting a tiny bit chilly at night. Almost no one recommends November, but I've had very good luck the last few years with weather in the first half of November.

Rome Spring Weather
May has almost the same temperatures as October, and April, while you're likely to feel chilly at night, is almost as good. March weather is really changeable, becoming more stable in April.

Weather in Rome, Italy
Rome's mild climate makes it popular to visit year-round; however, spring and autumn are without doubt the best times to visit, with generally sunny skies and mild temperatures (although late autumn, November, can be rainy). Unfortunately, these times are also the peak tourist season, when the tour buses pour in and tourists are herded around like cattle. July and August are unpleasantly hot, and Romans traditionally desert the stiflingly hot city in August, with many businesses closing; try to avoid visiting at this time. From December to February there is briskly cold weather, although it's rarely grey and gloomy.

Currency in Italy
Italy is one of the twelve members of the EU, and in January, 2002 the country converted to the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Please use the following Currency Converter to learn more about the value of the Euro against other currencies Currency exchange: Travellers cheques, cheques and foreign money can be changed at banks, railway stations and airports, and very often at major hotels (generally at a less convenient rate). Credit & debit cards: MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted, but many small establishments - shops and restaurants only accept cash. It is advisable to ask merchants if they accept credit cards before trying to purchase items Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques are accepted almost everywhere. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

How to get to Rome
The main airport is Leonardo da Vinci, also known as Fiumicino. The other airport is Ciampino, where most domestic, and some international, flights arrive. You can get a flight from just about anywhere in the world to Rome. Departure tax is always prepaid with your air ticket into or out of Italy. Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport is 26km (16mi) southwest of the city. One of the most convenient ways to get into town is by the Leonardo Express, the 30-minute Fiumicino-Stazione Termini direct train, which runs half-hourly from the airport. You can also get a train from the airport to Trastevere, Ostiense and Tiburtina. A night bus runs to Stazione Tiburtina. If you're driving, an autostrada runs from the airport to the city via EUR - it's a 45-minute drive and will cost you a small fortune by taxi. Rome's other airport is Ciampino, about 20km (12mi) southeast of the city. From there you can catch a LiLa/Cotral bus that connects with a subway to Stazione Termini, or you can drive down the Via Appia Nuova.

Transportation in Rome
Buses run from various city bus stop to the Lazio region and from Stazione Tiburtina to other destinations throughout Italy. Eurolines is the main carrier for other European destinations, leaving from opposite Tiburtina. There are regular train connections to all the major cities in Italy and Europe from Termini station. Trains are comfortable and fast. The main road connecting Rome to the north and south of Italy is the Autostrada del Sole, which connects with the ring road circling the city. Rome's buses, trams, subway and suburban railways are part of an integrated system run by ATAC and Metrebus tickets cover all forms of transport. Buy before you board though; there are hefty fines if you don't, even for tourists. There's also a private network of J buses. Most of the main buses terminate at the bus station outside Stazione Termini (where you can get a map of the bus routes). The city's Metro service (which is convenient for many of Rome's sights) has two lines, both of which go through Termini. The above-ground rail network isn't much use to most visitors. Driving in Rome is the next best thing to suicide - especially on a motorbike or moped. Most of the historic centre of Rome is closed to normal traffic, although you will be allowed to drive to your hotel, and parking is a nightmare. If you'd rather leave the driving to someone else, you can pick up a cab from one of the city's many taxi ranks or phone one any time of day. Be warned though, taxis are notoriously expensive, and if you call a cab, the meter is turned on as soon as you call, rather than when you are picked up. Cycling is hazardous, but possible - hills, crazy drivers and cobblestones notwithstanding. The historic centre of Rome is relatively small and quite manageable on foot. Wear your comfortable shoes.


 * VERBOVETSKI Sofia ||