ROME

My second place to recommend is Rome. I was here on September 2009 for my 50 mother’s birthday. We walked so much but I would back delighted.

Important things to know about Rome:

Rome is the capital of the Italian Republic which has 4.330.000 inhabitants in total. This European city is considered one of the birthplaces of Occidental civilization and the spiritual center of Catholicism. Rome streets contain so much history; in his historical center are remains of nearly 3 millennia. For that and for his beauty every year Rome receives 3 millions of tourists.

Here goes an advice: if you go to Rome you must take comfortable shoes! Because it is a city for walk and enjoy of every spots. But, don’t worry about it, all places are near and public transport is so easy to use. Finally you will be grateful.

Places to visit:

Colosseo and Roman Forum.

The Colosseo was the old place of battles and entertainment; gladiators fought here. It is probably the building more representative of Rome. In 1479 Benedict XVI declared it sacred because people by the 15^th century stool stones which formed the Colosseo for build their houses. However, it hasn’t lost his historic importance.

The Roman Foro was the old meeting place of Romans, where they went to shop and talk. It was the civic heart of the Republic of Rome, so if you want to know Rome you must walk for all the Foro.

Moreover, between these two places is the Constantine Arc, a wonder you should see.

You must visit these places together, for this route one morning is enough time.

Spanish Steps and Piazza del Poppolo.

The Piazza del Poppolo was built when Agrippina, who killed her enemies with poison, decided to put her tomb here. Moreover, it is famous too because until the XIX century were executed prisoners under sentence of death penalty. The Piazza del Poppolo communicates with Via del Corso one of the streets with more shops of Rome.

Nearly that square is the Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti (Spanish Steps). It is the most famous square of Rome. Here is the Spanish embassy and if you go up the 135 steps you will arrive to Trinità dei Monti’s church and to the Fontana della Barcaccia.

The Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

The Pantheon is a temple consecrated for every gods, it is characterized because is circular in shape and because everybody can enter. You can go to visit it after had lunched in surrounding of Piazza Navona, where is the font designed by Bernini, because two places are near.

Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain)

The Fontana di Trevi was designed by Nicola Silva, his construction took few years. It is the biggest fountain in Rome. The Trevi Fountain represents, among other things, the God Neptune and The Health. Legend tells that if you throw a coin in the fountain, you will back to Rome. I threw a coin and I haven’t yet backed but I will back, I promise!

Vatican City

It is the world capital of Catholicism, here lives the Papa, ecclesiastic posts and priests and nuns from all over the world. The Vatican City is a state totally independent; they have their own mail, television and radio. Here is the Basilica di San Pietro, the most important church in the world. It is amazing, in his construction contributed artists like Bramante and Michelangelo. Moreover, inside the church is Michelangelo’s Pieta, a spectacular built (in my opinion, a bit small) and Bernini’s baldacchino that rises above the papal altar. The Basilica di San Pietro is in Piazza San Pietro, a magnificent square designed by Bernini. Here is too the Sistine Chapel, you can’t come here and don’t see it.

All these monuments are spectacular you must come here instead you are not a believer. Moreover you can go easily using a bus. 

PARIS

My first destination in that exciting tour is the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) Paris. I went here when I was 9 with my family and 5 five years later for a study trip.

Important things you need to know about Paris:

Paris is the cosmopolitan capital of France, so here people speak French. It is one of the cities more populated of Europe with 2.2 million inhabitants in the dense central city. The City of Light is situated in the north of the country on the river Seine and has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities. Moreover it is the Capital of Fashion; it is home to the world's finest and most luxorious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc. In conclusion Paris is a city full of culture, love, mode and good food.

 Places to visit:

1.       Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)

It is the most important and emblematic building of Paris. The tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel because of the World Exhibition of 1889. Initially artists and writers of Paris disapproved it but finally it turned in the symbol of Paris. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument in the world. It is an obligatory stop, up or not is your decision but views are amazing.

2.       Notre Dame de Paris.

Notre Dame is located at the center of Paris and distances from Paris to all parts of France are calculated from the center of the plaza. It is one of the most ancient gothic Cathedrals of France and it is situated on the banks of the Seine. The facade is divided neatly into three levels, with three overwhelmingly carved portals guiding your entrance.

Notre Dame is famous too for Victor Hugo, a poet who wrote a story on which a hunchback, Quasimodo, lived here.

Don't forget to walk around the cathedral to see the array of flying buttresses supporting the choir.

3.       Musee du Luvre.

That museum is the world’s largest museum and one of the most important in the world. The Louvre's collection contains more than 35,000 pieces, with paintings, drawings, sculptures, antiquities, furniture, coins, etc. Although the most important work of art is the Giaconda, of Leonardo da Vinci, and pieces of universal Art like Nile’s Venus. It’s impossible to see the entire museum in one day, but don’t worry about it.

4.       Arc de Triomphe.

The Arc de Triomphe sits at the western end of Champs-Elysees. It's the biggest triumphal arch in the world, about 164 meters high. Napoleon ordered to build the arch after he had won her battle on Austerlitz (1805). Names of 558 Generals of France’s imperium are written here.

Moreover the Champs-Elysees are the bigger avenue on Paris. All famous shops are here.

There are lots of places you can and should visit on Paris like Montmartre, Les Invalides, La Defense, La Villette, Saint Louis Island and Latin Quarter but the most basic and important stops are these. If you go with children it is necessary you go to Disneyland.

Finally I have to say that Paris is a beautiful city, everywhere you go it will seem you spectacular.

Here is me in Disneyland!

SECOND SEMESTER

Here starts my new blog. It will be a travel guide, I’m going to give advices and opinions about places I’ve been.