Rome Captivates Tourists Like William Mulrow

Walking the streets of Rome is like visiting the world’s largest outdoor museum, according to tourists like William Mulrow. The Vatican, St. Peter’s Square, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum invite visitors to take out their cameras and take photos of some of the most famous and recognizable sites and attractions in the world.

The modern city of Rome has a population of almost three million people living in an area that covers 580 square miles. Most of its population, approximately 98 percent, is Roman Catholic.

William Mulrow and other visitors who do their research before visiting Rome know that June through August are the peak tourist months in Rome, with daytime temperatures ranging from 81 degrees to 88 degrees Fahrenheit and little rainfall. Visitors to Rome in August might notice that tourists outnumber residents. The middle of August is the traditional time when local residents and shopkeepers take their summer vacation. Many restaurants, museums and hotels either close or have limited hours of operation with locals away on vacation.

Popular times of the year to visit Rome, in addition to the summer months, are Lent and Easter and Christmas. Winter weather can be chilly from November until after New Year’s Day, with daytime temperatures ranging from 35 degrees to 62 degrees. Visitors like William Mulrow who do not mind a chill in the air will enjoy the festive atmosphere of Rome with its Christmas markets during the holiday season.

Visitors might want to avoid traveling to Rome in November and February. November travelers can count on lots of rain while visiting Rome and Vatican City. Although November is the rainiest time of the year, February can be quite chilly and uncomfortable for outdoor activities, such as enjoying espresso at an outdoor cafe.

Getting around while in Rome is easy using the bus and subway system that take visitors like William Mulrow anywhere they want to go in the city. Tourist offices throughout the city offer maps of the public transportation system to assist visitors. Travelers should be careful when using public transportation because of the many pickpockets who ply their illegal trade on the city’s crowded buses and subway trains.

The Colosseum and the Roman Forum transport visitors such as William Mulrow back to the days of the Roman Empire. The Colosseum was the site where gladiators fought to the death with each other and wild animals for the entertainment of the citizens of Rome.

The Vatican is technically not in Rome. Vatican City is a sovereign state that is a walled enclave surrounded by Rome. It is the world’s smallest independent state and is governed by the Pope and the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State. Museums in Rome and in the Vatican house the works of Michelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens and other renowned artists and sculptors.

The Spanish Steps are between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti. The steps were built in the eighteenth century by Francesco de Sanctis to connect the square with the church at the top. The steps are adorned with flowers to provide visitors such as William Mulrow with a colorful and memorable experience.