Rome Extension: Ancient City, Modern Metropolis

Rome is an ancient city, yet a modern metropolis. While this would seem an uncomfortable juxtaposition, once here you get used to seeing an ancient column standing next to a 21st century traffic signal. And somehow, this does not diminish the impact of the incredible history in any way.
Today Rome is the capital of the Republic of Italy, and thrives as a cultural epicenter. Home to 2.7 million people, it is not only the seat of government and home to Vatican City, but also host to major international political, scientific, technology, and cultural organizations, an international center for higher education with numerous academies, colleges and universities a center for banking and insurance as well as the electronics, energy, transport, and aerospace industries, and the hub of the Italian film industry. And of course, in addition to industry, Rome thrives as a center of tourism.
Her history spans more than two and a half thousand years, since its legendary founding in 753 b.c.. Rome is referred to as "The Eternal City", a central notion in ancient Roman culture, as it is today as one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe. Hercontributions to modern society are as plentiful as they are varied, as the birthplace of Western civilization, a key contributor modern democracy, the influence of Latin on medical and scientific terms as well as a plethora of Latin-based languages, and as the center of cultural revolution during the Renaissance. So it should come as no surprise that the city’s historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
There’s so much grandeur to explore here. Remains of the Roman Empire are distributed throughout the city – the Roman Forum, ancient ruins of the temples and Basilicas, and of course, the magnificent Colosseum. And then there’s the impact of the Catholic Church – St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and of course the Vatican Museums and its extensive collection of art. And yet within this phenomenal city, the history and present-day life mingle, local professionals and tourists alike rub shoulders, intertwined as they dine together the shadow of the Colosseum, creating a historically modern experience.

• Explore the historic city of Rome, surrounding yourself with the grandeur of the Roman Empire
• Visit the Vatican Museums, the largest museum complex in the world, experiencing famous artworks including the Sistine Chapel
• You’ve traveled all the way to Italy – why not stay a little longer and explore the variety Italy has to offer Beyond the Dolomites!