Posts Tagged ‘Rome’

Top 5 Romantic Things To Do In Rome

Monday, March 21st, 2011

Guest post by @charlmc8386

When thinking of where to go for a romantic city break in Europe, your first thoughts may lead you to the ever popular Paris or Venice, however there is a new trend emerging for couples to head to sizzling destinations such as Madrid and Rome for their loved up getaway. If Italy is for you, its capital offers all year long good weather and some of the most delicious food in the world combined with awe inspiring attractions makes for a fantastic place for couple to enjoy some time together. Here is a roundup of some of the top romantic things to do in Rome.

Trevi Fountain

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One of the most famous tourist attractions in Rome, the Trevi Fountain is an excellent place to visit whilst on a romantic break in the city. Completed in 1762, the Fontana di Trevi is the largest and most stunning Baroque fountain in Rome, with water flowing an impressive 20km to get there.  The fountain is a haven for tourists and lovers alike with it being a recognised dating spot for many locals.  This may well be due to the fact that while tradition dictates that if you throw a coin into the waters of the fountain you are guaranteed a return visit to the city, some also believe that 2 coins will lead to a new romance and 3 could lead to marriage.

Piazza del Campidoglio

For romantic surroundings and spell binding views head to the Piazza del Campidoglio, situated at the top of Capitoline hill, you can see the 3 buildings, main staircases and the paving all designed by Michelangelo and completed 4 centuries after the initial designs were created. The square is especially beautiful at night and great for couples to enjoy together. Also occupying Capitoline Hill is the Vittorio Emanuele monument, known as Rome largest wedding cake and what could be more romantic than that! The monument has mixed reviews so if it’s not for you, you can climb to the top and enjoy views across the city which are particularly stunning at sunset.

AcquaMadre Hammam

What could be more romantic than indulging in some relaxation together and the Romans are big believers in relaxation and the healing properties of baths. AcquaMadre Hammam is an authentic Roman bathing experience with modern state of the art amenities. The experience allows bathers to enjoy a warm bath of temperatures around 98°F followed by a steam room with 100% humidity and temperatures as high as 114°F, following this you will plunge into a cold bath of 82°F which acts as a muscle toner to the skin.  This fantastically indulgent facility also offers exclusive spa days for couples including massages and other relaxing treatments.

Visit a Geleteria

Romantic activities in Rome don’t have to cost the earth, indeed some of the best things to do can be very cheap. Enjoying a delicious gelato, the Italian version of ice cream whilst strolling hand in hand through Romes cobbled streets can be more romantic than any of the bigger tourist attractions. There are many fantastic geleteria in the city, one of the best is situated just a stone’s throw from the Trevi fountain, San Crispino offers up tasty flavours such as creamy ginger and cinnamon and fizzy lemon sorbet. If walking around with your gelato isn’t for you many of the geleteria offer outdoor seating where you can enjoy the treats on offer as well as soak up the cafe culture.

Rome at Twilight

If you want a bit of structure to your romantic sightseeing in Rome then why not sign up for ‘Rome at Twilight among the Piazzas and Fountains’. This three hour walking tour covers some of the best sights in the city such as the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain during Twilight hours. The group size has a maximum of 15 which means you won’t miss any of the best bits by being stuck at the back of a large crowd. The tour begins in the stunning Piazza di Spagna and also includes the other famous open squares of the city including Piazza Navona and the Piazza Campo dei Fiori. The tour provides the perfect combination of romantic moonlit walk without missing out on any of the great history and architecture of this fantastic city.

Charlotte McCulloch

Charlotte writes for new travel site Simonseeks.com where you can find inspirational travel guides and expert advice.

Temples From Europe To Asia

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Temples. Temples. Temples. What can I say about temples? I don’t know. Let’s just look at pretty pictures of temples instead.

Pura Luhur, Uluwatu

The silhouette of Pura Luhur sitting on a cliff overlooking the sea. Uluwatu, Bali, right after the sunset

Temple of Debod, Madrid

The illuminated Temple of Debod at dusk in Parque del Oeste, Madrid. This temple was originally built in Egypt around 2nd century BC, and then in 1968 it was donated to Spain and rebuilt in Madrid.

Temple of Poseidon, Greece

The ancient Greek temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion, Greece. Built around 440 BC.

Dina from Vagabond Quest

Ryan and Dina are a couple of permanent travelers vagabonding around the world. Ryan is a software guy from Canada, and Dina is a chemist from Java, Indonesia. They met in Japan and then lived in Ontario, Canada. In April 2009, they closed their home and since then have been living on the road with their 2 backpacks. They focus on cheap travel and ways to get more travel enjoyment for less cash. In their blog “Vagabond Quest“, they share their stories and recommendations. Follow them on Twitter @VagabondQuest.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

We often see from the other side of the lens and think the photographer was in solitude. Once I shot my sunrise for Angkor Wat I decided to shoot the reality.

Ayngelina

Ayngelina left her job, apartment, boyfriend and friends to travel solo throughout Central and South America. You can read about her adventures at Bacon is Magic, as she eats her way through Central and South America. You can follow her on Twitter @Ayngelina.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The temples and ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat fascinate travelers as a look into the past, but Angkor Wat is still very much a modern sacred site as well. Pictured is a New Year celebration within the temple complex.

Kevin Revolinski

Kevin Revolinski is the author of The Yogurt Man Cometh: Tales of an American Teacher in Turkey and the Bangkok expert for NileGuide.com. His website and blog are at The Mad Traveler Online.

My Son, Vietnam

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Dave Dean

Dave was born and raised in small town New Zealand providing  him with the perfect beginnings for a lifelong travel addiction. After graduating from university with a degree in History and Political Science he packed his meager belongings into a backpack and headed for London. The subsequent years have seen him traveling through thirty-something countries and watching my ‘must see’ list grow larger almost as quickly as I’ve watched my bank balance grow smaller. Check out Dave’s blog, What’s Dave Doing, and follow him on Twitter @driftingkiwi.

Rome, Italy

The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, built in the 2nd Century AD, was converted into a church in the Middle Age and is thus a wonderful example of the layers of History.

The Temple of Venus Genetrix was dedicated to the goddess of motherhood and domesticity by Julius Caesar in 46 BC.

Simon Los Roques

Simon is ‘wild about travel’ and as soon as possible she packs a few things and goes. Born in Italy, growing up in a small village in the Swiss mountains and at 18 back to Italy, in Milan, she remained a nature lover. Simon loves adventure travel and wilderness, and she is wild about scuba diving, hiking and skiing. She started blogging for fun, while she was jobless, but soon got passionate and continues writing her ‘Travel tales by a Travel Addict’.

Visit Simon’s blog at Wild About Travel and follow her on Twitter.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor is a location that lends itself to black and white pictures, I think. The contrasts of the landscape to the ruins seem to show up better in that format. Plus, I think it gives a better image of the age of everything.

Pre Rup, Cambodia

Pre Rup, which is one of the oldest of the temples in the main Angkor Wat area. A nightly traditional is climbing those steps to the top and watching sunset from up there. It's wonderfully peaceful.

Michael Hodson

Michael just completed a sixteen month, round-the-world trip without taking a single plane.  His blog — One Lap, No Jetlag — is at www.mobilelawyer.blogspot.com and you can Twitter him at @mobilelawyer.

Phenom Penh, Cambodia

Royal Temple

Matt Preston

Matt Preston is an English travel photographer and co-founder of Travel With Mate. He has also created a book entitled “Portraits of Asia.”  Matt is currently living in Sydney, Australia before going to Borneo.

Beijing, China

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven

Prayer Cards tied to a bridge at the Confucian Temple

Burning incense and praying at the Lama Temple

Emily Hyndman

Emily Hyndman is a recent college graduate who never leaves home without her camera. A recent trip to Beijing left her with a desire to explore Asia. A big fan of slow travel, Emily hopes to eventually live and work abroad. Until that day comes, she enjoys exploring and living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, starting with her new home in Seattle, WA. You can follow her on Twitter @eehyndman.

New Delhi, India

Baha'i Temple

Lumbini, Nepal

Mayadevi Temple - Birthplace of Buddha

Sravastlup, India

Myanmar Monastery

Aye, Jack & Emma

These pictures were taken during a mother-daughter Buddhist Pilgrimage to India and Nepal in early 2008.  Follow this fabulous family of three on their inspiring blog Got Passport: Will Travel. Will Serve and follow them on Twitter @gotpassport as they prepare to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand this summer.

Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, Japan

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a Buddhist temple complex consisting of over 30 beautiful, old buildings that rest on a hillside full of trees and natural springs.

Java, Indonesia

Prambanan temple complex near Jogjakarta on the island of Java, Indonesia. These Hindu temples date from the 9th century and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bali, Indonesia

This temple is known for its spectacular location as it rests on a cliff about 70 meters above the ocean.

Jenna Francisco

Jenna works as a professor in Sacramento, California, but loves to get away whenever she can.  She studied and lived abroad and has traveled extensively through Europe.  She has a multi-cultural family and spends time every year visiting family either in Brazil or Indonesia, or both.  As the mother of a toddler, she is learning new ways to travel and looks forward to sharing her adventures with others.  Check out her blog at Adventures of a 21st Century Family.

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