Rome's Appia Antica
Author: Leon Kammer
Most tourists coming to Rome, usually have a good idea of the historic sights and what they want to see and experience in Rome; after all there is a lot to see in the center of Rome.
The Vatican, Colosseum, The Pantheon with it's giant columns still in tact, the Trevi Fountain, for that special wish, by throwing a coin in the fountain, as thousands do each day, usually arriving by horse and cart with the typical Roman driver also acting as the tor guide.
However almost a well kept secret and one of the most ancient and most spectacular sights just outside the center, something that should not be missed for a true Rome experience, is Via Appia Antica, one of the oldest roads in Rome (dating from 312 bc).
One really feels that they have gone back in time when visiting this site with the original large cobblestones,the Appian Way, (Latin and Italian: Via Appia) was the most important Roman road, called the �queen road�, it connected Rome to Brindisi, Apulia in southeast Italy, some say it was the first highway.
The Roman army, for its success, depended on the use of this first highway to prepare for battle.The Appian Way was used as a main route for military supplies for many years since the mid-4th century BC.
Army bases, at that time allowed the Romans to keep large numbers of soldiers in the field waiting for the opportunity to strike. By the late Republic, the Romans were masters of road construction, but rarely did so until their territory expanded.
Today, not much has changed along the Appia Antica: except for some added touches of today, like tourist cafes and other places to eat along parts of the road; most being family styled trattorias that are two or three generations old and serve delicious authentic Roman dishes - even if the history is not your main interest, we assure you the food is worth coming for; however if you�re planning a long walk along the Appian Way, you�ll soon leave the typical tourist spots behind you; take a bottle of water and something to eat.Many well know artists, film makers and artists have taken up residence in one of the ancient Villas behind the historic walls of Appia Antica, because after all there is really nothing even similar in the world.
When visiting Rome one of the worlds most visited destinations, visitors used to choose to stay in hotels in central Rome; however with more availability for the independent traveler on the internet, many tourists from all over the world are now choosing to stay in short term rental apartments in the center of Rome, which is not only a less expensive way to travel;apartment accommodation in Rome also gives visitors the opportunity to live like locals for a short time, experiencing the novelty of shopping like a local at the open fruit markets and trying their hand at some Italian dishes. Apart from this experience, an apartment is roomier, the cost is less and ths space is far more; not to mention that visitors are not forced to eat out three times day. They can suit themselves when they want to cook a meal at home in teir own Roman kitchen.
About the author: Leon Kammer is an expat Australian who has lived in Rome for almost ten years with his family. He and his wife Jill run Italy-Accom an online short term apartment and Villa rental company, which now has over 700 properties throughout Italy on their website http://www.italy-accom.com
- Source:Isnare.com