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More Americans than ever before are traveling to destinations that combine culture and history with a dash of adventure. Few destinations meet these criteria better than Italy’s ancient and vibrant capital.
Rome is much more than a TikTok craze or a place to take selfies next to ancient buildings. Italy’s capital has been at the center of the Mediterranean world for millennia, offering Americans one of the most culturally rich travel experiences in Europe.
You’ll get non-stop experiences, warm weather and enjoy one of the most famous culinary scenes on the continent. Plus, it’s easy to get there and travel around.
Here are 5 reasons why you will have the trip of a lifetime to Rome in 2024:
New ways to experience history and culture
Rome is one of the world’s hotspots for history and culture. Now more than ever, you can experience ancient wonders up close and personal.
The Colosseum Underground Tour is a new tour created by local tour operator, the Hornblower Group and the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo. Now you can tour the underground tunnels where Roman gladiators once prepared for their grizzly fights.
While exploring the city’s rich architecture and museums on foot is easy, a new service is called RomeCabs allows you to see the historical and cultural sights in and around the city in the comfort of a taxi and with your own personal English-speaking driver.
Another must-visit is the Via Appia, one of the oldest roads in the world. This tree-lined, 2,000-year-old Roman highway has been nominated to become a new UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been included in National Geographic’s list of the top tourist destinations in the world.
Great cuisine and nightlife
Italy is one of the biggest food capitals in the world and the perfect place to party. Each region has its own food and wine, and Rome is a one-stop shop to experience it all.
From the luxurious gastronomy of establishments like La Tavernaccia and the Rinascente food market to the old-fashioned haunts hidden in centuries-old buildings, Rome is a foodie’s paradise.
When night falls, you’ll find plenty of bars, clubs and world-class live music. This year, Rome’s Drink Kong and Freni e Frizioni bars made it onto the list of the 50 best bars in the world, giving you all the more reasons to head to Rome for a culinary experience.
All roads lead to Rome
Rome is easily accessible from almost every corner of the earth. Two international airports, Leonardo da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino) and Ciampino Airport, connect the city with international destinations around the world.
You can also travel to Rome by high-speed train. With Rome as its center, Italy’s rail network is efficient and connects with other major European cities.
Once you’re in the city, you can easily get around on foot or via the convenient metro. Three lines connect you to every corner of the city and all its sights.
Another popular way to explore the old town is by bicycle. Cycling in Rome is becoming increasingly popular, with a growing network of cycle paths and bike rentals throughout the city.
The usual rental rate for bicycles is almost $20 per day. There are several e-bike sharing services, such as Helbiz, Dott and Lime, which have stations throughout the city.
History around every corner
Needless to say, Rome is very old and there are no limits to the number of historical monuments and places in this city of 4 million inhabitants.
You can visit buildings from the Roman Empire such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the open square of ruined temples and government buildings known as the Foro Romano.
Don’t forget to see sights such as the Trevi Fountain and Vatican City, the world’s smallest independent country in terms of land area.
Rome is also the perfect place to spend hours visiting museums and getting lost in history. Imagine walking through the timeless flying machines and structures at the Leonardo Da Vinci Experience Museum or the wealth of art at the Vatican Museums.
Good weather all year round
The Romans knew how to build a city. Rome enjoys pleasant weather all year round, a Mediterranean climate and plenty of sunshine which keeps the surrounding vineyards healthy and the people happy.
The city experiences snow once every five years, and frost occurs sporadically from December to February. Although most of the rain falls in winter, it adds the perfect romantic backdrop to the city’s already romantic landscape.
The only drawback is the summer heat. However, Rome is a short train, bus or car ride from the Mediterranean coast. You’re also less than an hour from Lago Di Bracciano, one of Italy’s cleanest lakes and the best place for a summer dip, surrounded by the Italian countryside.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
