Discovering the Sights of a Roman Holiday

It may be more than fifty years since the classic film Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday was made but you will still find the vibrant city of Rome offers you an ideal escape.

Indeed, locals and tourists alike still find a Vespa ideal for navigating the city; if you want to emulate Hepburn and her co-star Gregory Peck just ensure to have good road sense. Therefore, begin your trip by heading for the Colosseum on Piazalle de Colloseo to soak up its ruined grandeur. Built in 80 AD it could accommodate an impressive 80,000 spectators and be sure to visit its Museum of Eros, especially if you are enjoying a romantic break.

A little further on is the Palatine Hill. The most central of Rome’s seven hills, it is also the ancient heart of the city. From its heights you can visit the Roman Forum, where Princess Ann first meets Joe Bradley, the reporter after fleeing her gilded prison.

Follow the route along Via dei Fori Imperial towards the baroque Trevi Fountain. Princess Ann has her hair cut in a barber’s shop here, and it also features in Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’ and ‘Three Coins in the Fountain’, so throw in a coin yourself to ensure your return to Rome.

Continue on to the impressive Spanish Steps, where you can still buy flowers, as in the film, and take in the luxurious displays of the upmarket shops on Via Condotti. Be warned though, the prices are as steep as the steps, so you may want to stick to window shopping unless you have a deep purse.

Perhaps the most famous moment in ‘Roman Holiday’ involves the ‘Mouth of Truth’ (Bocca della Verita); according to legend the mouth can detect lies if you place your hand in it. If you dare to copy Audrey you will find the sculpture at the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. The unnerving head with its open mouth dates back to ancient Rome and the myth around it has grown since medieval times.

Santa Maria stands close to the River Tiber and you can follow the Lungotevere which winds along its banks. Stop off in the cobbled streets of Trastevere to explore its charming cafes, bars and restaurants and then continue on to the Ponte Sant Angelo, where Audrey danced her night of freedom away on a decorated barge.

Of course, there is much to see and do when visiting Rome, so be sure to allow time to uncover its Renaissance art, stunning architecture, modern shops and vibrant restaurants and bars. At times it can prove difficult to fit everything into a visit to such a large city; however, it is good to know that you will find plenty of central accommodation, and also hotels near Rome if you would prefer to avoid the crowds.

And whether you choose to revisit the popular landmarks that helped make Roman Holiday famous, or perhaps even create your own itinerary, you will find there is much to explore on a trip to Rome.

Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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