Roma

Rome. The capital of Italy for the past 140 years. Arguably the epicenter of much of what we now attribute to Western-style governments. Our forefathers of the United States of America even saw our country as the natural continuation of the Roman Republic (and I suspect some commentators, especially from the Old World, would argue of the Roman Empire). It is a city that sits squarely on its haunches, nestled upon the newly restored marble bones of the Palatine mixed with the still pollution eroded, pock-marked face of the old Colosseum; a majority of it disassembled by the generations that followed the collapse of the Empire in the 4th century AD to get at what was then a nearly impossible to duplicate resource: forged iron. I have been to Rome twice thus far. Once with my then fiancé on our four-week honeymoon some three years ago back at the start of January, 2008. And once again in early November of 2010 for half-day between my arrival from the United States and my train ride down to Trani, Italy to visit friends. I must admit that I have thus far enjoyed Rome more on my second visit than my first. The trick may lay in the simple fact that anything more than a few days in Rome is too much of a good thing. It is, after-all, a large metropolitan area with all that comes with this distinction. Past a visit to the ancient capital, the Vatican, and other cultural destinations it soon becomes just another city of people, vehicles and buildings. I suspect after the first few days it requires some few months to really get past the cultural exterior to discover the heart of Rome. And I would not argue I have discovered this deeper, more authentic Rome. I have been but mere tourist with a tourist's typical proclivities. Time can only tell if I ever have such an opportunity. Regardless, Rome is a city worth the effort to see and explore. Read more here.