Methinks I will not die quite happy without having seen something of that Rome of which I have read so much. – Sir Walter Scott

Rome is the number one city on many art lovers’ wish list of places to visit. Why? Quite simply, Rome is home to some of the greatest art and architecture treasures in the world in addition to its beautiful cityscapes, quaint alleyways, exciting nightlife, and luxurious hotels. These wonders,along with possibly the best food found anywhere, make Rome the city to see or “methinks I will not die happy”.

Visitors to Rome will at once become immersed in history. The entire history of the city can be seen through its many ancient buildings, sculptures, and the magnificent artwork found in the city’s museums.

Rome’s ancient beginnings can be seen in Greek and Roman architecture, its contributions to the modern world in Renaissance and Baroque paintings and sculpture.

The starting point of any Roman experience should be the magnificent Borghese Gallery. The suburban
Borghese villa, erected in the early 1600s, was home to the rich and powerful Borghese family. Great
patrons of the arts, this illustrious family became the first patrons of a young artist, Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

His works can be found, along with many other old masters, in the gallery. Treat your senses to Caravaggio, Raphael, Rubens, and Titian just to name a few. The Borghese Gallery also houses a sculpture garden with works by Bernini and the famous “Paolini” by Canova.

The walls of many rooms in the villa are excellent examples of an early Roman art form, Incrustation. This type of work involved painting the interior walls to resemble marble and was popular with families who could not afford true marble walls. It may seem odd to find what was once pedestrian art in this gorgeous villa but it is only here as an example of early art forms in Rome. The incrustations in the Borghese Gallery were moved here from other homes in the city.

For unsurpassed architectural experiences you must visit the Colosseum and the Pantheon. The Colosseum is a large elliptical structure built during the Flavian Empire. Walk in as ancient spectators would – through the vomitoria, 64 doors that allowed patrons entrance to the gladiatorial battles held here. Much of the original Colosseum remains including examples of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns surrounding the arena.

The Pantheon is perhaps the city’s hippest place to be. Surprising for a building that is 2,000 years old? Typical of Roman fashion, the Pantheon is surrounded by intimate outdoor cafes and courtyards where you can enjoy a gourmet meal and gaze at the mesmerizing structure.

After dining you can stroll through the Pantheon itself and see the tomb of Raphael, buried in 1520. Unlike “La Fornarina, the mistress who was banned from Raphael’s funeral, you can enjoy the exquisite pleasures of the large dome, the sculpted walls, and gracious columns. Romans say the best time to visit the Pantheon is during a rainstorm. Great sheets of rain enter the structure through the occulas atop the dome and splatter on the brilliant colors of the marble floor added when the original structure was rebuilt by Hadrian in 126.

There are countless other treasures to explore while in Rome. The Capital and Museum offer an underground look at the Roman Forum. In this complex structure you will find examples of art from all phases of Roman history. Etruscan kings, Greek art, the Empire period, and more are on view in the Capitolini Museums.

For a truly unusual experience create your own Angels and Demons tour. Dan Brown made many of Rome’s sites famous as pivotal points in his book, Angel and Demons. You can follow the path of the Illuminati and let angels guide you along the backstreets and alleyways of Rome as you search for clues to the novel’s intricate plot.

Once underway you will see the famous Passetto, the Castel of the Angel, and other chapels and squares. Stops along the way of the book’s characters included the Pantheon, Raphael’s Chigi Chapel, and the portico of St. Peter’s Square. The prize for undertaking this journey? Bernini’s masterpiece, the monumental “Fountain of the Four Rivers” in the Piazza Novona is the perfect place to enjoy a private dinner and digest the many wonders you have just experienced.

Happy Travels!