Howcast https://howcast.com The best source for fun, free, and useful how-to videos and guides. Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:19:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://howcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cropped-305991373_448685880636965_5438840228078552196_n-32x32.png Howcast https://howcast.com 32 32 Visiting Villa Borghese in Rome https://howcast.com/videos/514463-visiting-villa-borghese-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:19:40 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514463-visiting-villa-borghese-rome-travel/

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Though Rome’s architecture is among the most beautiful in the world, after a while it can start to feel like a city of nothing but concrete. When that time comes, visit the Villa Borghese.

The Villa’s garden consists of over a hundred acres of beautifully landscaped greenery. It’s one of the biggest and most popular parks in Rome.

On any given day, you’ll see plenty of both tourists and locals enjoying the scenery.

The park is also home to one of Rome’s best museum — the Borghese Gallery — housed in an extravagant villa. The building was once a luxurious residence built for a wealthy cardinal in the 1600s. But as lavish as the architecture is, the contents of the museum aren’t to be missed either. Many of Bernini’s finest sculptures are here, including his David and Apollo and Daphne. There’s also an excellent collection of Caravaggio paintings, such as Boy with a Basket of Fruit and St. Jerome.

When you’re ready to leave the Villa Borghese, you won’t have to go far to find another area of interest. The Piazza del Popolo, one of Rome’s more famous piazzas, is minutes away.

The beauty of Villa Borghese’s garden and art will leave you refreshed and ready to get back to sightseeing.

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Visiting Vatican City https://howcast.com/videos/514462-visiting-vatican-city-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:16:50 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514462-visiting-vatican-city-rome-travel/

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Vatican City is actually its own city-state within Rome and one of the top reasons to visit Rome.

The heart of the Roman Catholic Church is packed with religious and artistic treasures.

In the Vatican Palace, you’ll find the Vatican Museums where you can see the acclaimed Picture Gallery which contains paintings by illustrious artists like da Vinci, Bellini, and Caravaggio.

The Raphael Rooms are also not to be missed. This is a suite of rooms decorated with frescoes painted by Raphael. The work in these rooms is considered among his best.

But the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are considered the best in the world — the ceiling of frescoes by Michelangelo are widely considered to be the greatest pieces of art created in the Renaissance.

Vatican City is also home to a wealth of beautiful architecture.

St Peter’s Basilica is known as the largest church in the world, as well as one of the most beautiful. Designed by some of the best artistic minds of the late Renaissance, it lives up to its reputation as one of the Roman Catholic Church’s most reverent and divine sites.

Whether you visit because you’re on a religious pilgrimage or just because you want to see some of the greatest art and architecture in the world, you’re sure to feel fulfilled by the time you leave the Vatican.

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Visiting the Roman Forum https://howcast.com/videos/514461-visiting-the-roman-forum-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:14:39 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514461-visiting-the-roman-forum-rome-travel/

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Ancient Rome might be even more famous than today’s Rome.

You’ll certainly want to spend plenty of time in the ruins of ancient Rome during your visit to the city.

The Roman Forum is a good place to start.

This was once the heart of Rome.

Today, the ruins of many significant temples and other structures can be seen in the Roman Forum.

You’ll see the remains of temples dedicated to Saturn, Vesta, Venus and Roma, and many others.

Many of the structures in the Roman Forum had political significance. One of the more popular sights within the ruins is the Arch of Septimius Severus, which dates to 203 AD. This white marble triumphal arch stands over 60 feet high.

Not far from the arch is the Milliarium Aureum, the base of what was once a monument meant to mark the very center of Rome.

And of course there’s the Rostra, the platform from which Roman politicians would deliver speeches.

There are also some intriguing mysteries in the Roman Forum. For example — Nobody knows for certain what the Lapis Niger, a black marble slab, was originally built for. Be sure to check it out!

Take your time exploring the ruins…there’s so much history to explore.

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Top 10 Places to Eat & Drink in Rome https://howcast.com/videos/514460-top-10-places-to-eat-drink-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:12:05 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514460-top-10-places-to-eat-drink-rome-travel/

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It’s easy to find a good meal in any trattoria in Rome, but there are some restaurants worth going out of your way for.

Il Convivio has a reputation for serving the best in modern Italian high cuisine. It’s far from cheap, but it’s one of Rome’s most celebrated restaurants.

Checchino dal 1887 is the place for some of the best traditional Roman food. This restaurant specializes in offal, but there’s plenty on the menu for less adventurous eaters too.

For a creative take on classic Roman food, eat at Ditirambo. They also serve plenty of vegetarian options.

Agata e Romeo is another solid choice for traditional Roman cuisine raised to a new level.

Rome also has plenty of restaurants specializing in food from other regions of Italy. Try Roman-Jewish cuisine at Piperno. This restaurant has been attracting customers for over a hundred years.

Or go to Al Ceppo for cuisine from the Marches region of Italy, in an elegant but comfortable atmosphere.

For the best Sicilian food, go to La Gensola.

You’ll find excellent Italian fusion cuisine at Imàgo, but the stunning view of Rome from this rooftop restaurant might overshadow the meal.

For a drink, it’s hard to do better than Trimani Wine Bar. The selection of Italian wines is one of the largest in Rome.

Honestly, you can explore the top famous restaurants or you can venture out on your own — no matter where you go, you’re sure to eat and drink well in Rome.

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How to Get Around Rome https://howcast.com/videos/514459-how-to-get-around-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:04:06 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514459-how-to-get-around-rome-travel/

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Driving in Rome just isn’t worth it.

Traffic is chaotic, parking is hard to come by, and there are certain areas visitors aren’t even allowed to drive in.

You’re much better off using public transportation.

The quickest and easiest way to get around is the subway, called the Metropolitana. There are subway stops near most of the major tourist attractions.

There are also buses and trams. These aren’t as fast as the subway and routes can be confusing, but you’ll have the benefit of seeing the city while you travel.

All public transportation is under the ATAC system. The same ticket can be used on the subway, buses, and trams.

When riding public transportation, always be wary of pickpockets and keep your belongings close.

Public transportation aside, walking is one of the best ways to get around Rome.

Many attractions are close together, and one of the best ways to enjoy the city center is to wander through the picturesque streets. Just be sure to bring a map!

If all else fails, taxis are expensive, but sometimes they’re the easiest way to get to your destination.

It’s easier to grab a taxi at a stand than to hail them on the street.You can also call a taxi service, but this will cost a bit extra.

For the most part, getting around Rome won’t be too expensive or challenging!

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Best Time to Visit Rome https://howcast.com/videos/514458-best-time-to-visit-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:58:35 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514458-best-time-to-visit-rome-travel/

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Rome is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

Even though it’s possible to enjoy the city at any time of year, some seasons are better than others.

The most expensive time to visit Rome is from June to early September.

July and August are especially unpleasant, as temperatures can get very high and air conditioning in Rome is still rare.

This is also when the most tourists visit the city, while many Romans leave for their own vacations.

Many shops and restaurants will be closed during this season, and it will be harder than ever to find hotel rooms.

If you absolutely must visit Rome during the summer, be sure to book far in advance.

On the other hand, if you don’t mind a chill, you’re better off heading to Rome in the colder seasons.

The least expensive times to visit Rome are late fall and January through March. There are still some bargains to be found in the fall but winter is a good time to visit, as even in the coldest months, it rarely gets below freezing.

The spring also won’t be quite as crowded as the summer, but don’t expect it to be cheap. The beautiful mild weather makes it a favorite time of year for savvy travelers.

The one rule of thumb is try to avoid a trip to Rome in summer. If you do that, any time you go to Rome will be beautiful!

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Top 7 Museums to Visit in Rome https://howcast.com/videos/514457-top-7-museums-to-visit-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:54:41 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514457-top-7-museums-to-visit-rome-travel/

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It would be almost crazy to visit Rome and not spend any time in its museums.

Start with the Vatican Museums, the museums in Vatican City dedicated to the art collection of the Roman Catholic Church. This is where you’ll find some of the greatest Renaissance masterpieces.

The Capitoline Museum is another place to see some of Rome’s greatest art. This is thought to be the world’s oldest public museum.

And the Borghese Gallery is worth visiting just so you can see the extravagant villa that houses it. But that doesn’t mean the collection isn’t notable too — it includes many of the finest pieces by Bernini and Caravaggio.

The Palazzo Colonna is another building that’s worth seeing just as much as the art it contains. It houses a world-class collection of 17th-century European art.

If you’re interested in ancient history, visit the National Etruscan Museum to see the best collection of Etruscan art in the world.

And for Ancient Roman statues, you won’t find a better collection than the one at the Palazzo Altemps. The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme shares the same collection. It’s where you’ll find the best sculptures and artifacts.

No matter which of Rome’s museums you visit — and I hope you get to see them all — you’re sure to see remarkable art.

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Top 6 Places to Visit in Rome https://howcast.com/videos/514456-top-6-places-to-visit-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:50:48 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514456-top-6-places-to-visit-rome-travel/

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There’s something remarkable around every corner in Rome, but there are some sights you should go out of your way to see.

You’ll want to dedicate plenty of time to the ruins of ancient Rome. The Roman Forum is a good place to start. Though it’s all ruins now, it was once the heart of Rome.

Another masterpiece of the ancient world is the Colosseum, the world’s largest amphitheatre. Inside this massive arena, it’s crazy to imagine the bloody spectacles that were once performed for crowds there.

The Pantheon is another ancient Roman icon. Built as a temple and later made into a church, the Pantheon is still considered an architectural wonder.

Vatican City is also home to a wealth of beautiful architecture. St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world, as well as one of the most beautiful. But the Sistine Chapel rivals its grandeur. The paintings by Michelangelo on the ceiling are widely considered the greatest pieces of art created in the Renaissance.

Before you leave Rome, be sure to pay a visit to the Trevi Fountain. It’s said that if you throw a coin into this huge Baroque fountain, you’ll be able to return to Rome someday.

And you’re sure to want to come back to a city like Rome, where you’ll never run out of things to see.

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Top 5 Neighborhoods to Visit in Rome https://howcast.com/videos/514455-top-5-neighborhoods-to-visit-rome-travel/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 13:45:52 +0000 https://howcast.com/videos/514455-top-5-neighborhoods-to-visit-rome-travel/

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There’s almost too much to see in Rome — each neighborhood offers countless sites and experiences.

The historic district has so many of Rome’s most important sights that it’s a good thing it’s small, or you wouldn’t have time to see them all.

This is where you can see the ruins of ancient Rome, once the center of a great empire. The Colosseum can also be seen here, along with the Palatine and Capitoline Hills and the Roman Forum.

Another important neighborhood, Vatican City, is actually its own city-state within Rome. The heart of the Roman Catholic Church is packed with religious and artistic treasures. Whether you visit for spiritual purposes or just to see some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, you’re sure to be fulfilled when you leave.

Near Vatican City you’ll find the charming neighborhood of Trastevere. There are many architectural attractions in Trastevere, but it’s also worth visiting for its nightlife. Some of the best clubs and restaurants are in this neighborhood.

When the bustle of the city gets to be too much, head up to Aventine Hill. This is where you can experience a more idyllic Rome. Wander the relaxed residential streets and parks, and take in some of the best views of the city.

Just south of Aventine Hill, the Testaccio neighborhood isn’t as refined, but it’s much livelier. If you’re looking for a delicious, authentic Roman meal, Testaccio is the place to go.

There’s something amazing to be found in all of Rome’s neighborhoods so get ready for an exciting, full trip!

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