Page 386 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

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Walking
Wandering Rome’s old center is
one of the most enjoyable
aspects of the city. You can take
in the architectural details,
absorb the streetlife, make
diversions at will, and peek into
any church, store, or bar that
catches your interest. You can
easily visit several of the main
tourist sights in a few hours.
Explore the city area by area,
using public transportation Passengers sightseeing on an open-top tour bus
when expedient. Although some
parts of the historic center are roads by traffic lights and between the sights and piazzas
now pedestrian-only, a street pedestrian crossings strictly in of particular interest to tourists.
that is closed to cars may still be your favor, there is sure to be Routes leading to other
used by bicyclists and, illegally, some van or Vespa hurtling landmarks are indicated
by scooter riders. There have toward you with apparently by signs on a brown or
been many plans to create more homicidal intent. Fortunately, grey background.
traffic-free zones, but imposing Roman drivers have quick
such measures on a population reactions and accidents are Guided Tours
as insubordinate as Rome’s is not relatively rare. The best tactic is
easily done. to be as alert and confident as Several companies offer guided
During the height of summer, Romans. The roads are very tours in English; these include
you’ll have a more enjoyable busy. When crossing, you the excellent Walks of Italy,
time if you follow the example should try to leave as large a Green Line Tours, Context,
of the Italians. Walk slowly on gap as possible between and Carrani Tours. Full-day city
the shady side of the street; have yourself and oncoming traffic. tours with lunch cost around
a long lunch followed by a Step purposefully into the road, €100; half-day tours around €40.
siesta in the hottest part of making eye contact with Alternatively City Sightseeing
the day. Continue exploring approaching motorists, and do Roma offers hop-on, hop-off
in the late afternoon, when not hesitate or change your tours aboard double decker
churches and stores reopen and course. Once a driver sees that buses with audio guides in
the streets are at their liveliest. you are determined to cross, eight languages. Tours run
Wandering at night is delightful, he will stop, or at least swerve. every 15–20 minutes daily
as the streets are cool and many Pedestrians must take particular between 9am and 7pm and
facades floodlit. care at night, when the traffic last 1 hour and 40 minutes.
lights are switched to a con- Buses can be boarded at any
stantly flashing amber, turning of the eight stops, which include
Crossing Roads the crossings into free-for-alls.
First impressions suggest
there can be only two sorts of
pedestrian in Rome: the quick Street Signs
and the dead. Even if you cross Theoretically, although it may
not always seem to be the
case, pedestrians have right of
way at crossings when the
green avanti sign is Directions for
lit up. The red sign walkers
alt means you must
wait. Underground
crossings are
indicated by a
sign reading
sottopassaggio. Avanti: go! Pedestrians
It is easy to get lost have right of way Watch out for
in the maze of streets children
and piazzas of the
historic center. Until
you know your way
around you can
follow the yellow Alt: stop! Traffic has right
Nuns walking in Rome’s city center signs marking routes of way Pedestrian crossing

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