The Berkeley Guides:
Berkeley Guide to Europe:
Italy:
Rome
Decadent is one way to describe Rome. Locals practically invented the word, lavishly adorning their city with classical columns, medieval monasteries, and baroque basilicas. Confused is another word for the Eternal City. Countless sights threaten sensory overload, the food tempts you to gluttony, and the traffic forces you into fits of hysteria. In eternally extravagant, eternally disintegrating Rome, confusion and decadence have been the bywords for 3,000 years.
Rome was the center of the world for so long, Romans seem to forget that it isn't anymore. The people of this city are a bit like New Yorkers--intensely proud, and not at all hesitant to speak their minds. Though they seem ill-tempered, arguing vehemently in the streets and cafés, passionate Romans definitely enjoy themselves. Eating well is of utmost importance here, and not indulging in a sit-down meal borders on the criminal. Nor will it take much coaxing to indulge yourself in a little postlunch nap, or a postnap gelato, or . . . you get the idea. Getting coaxed into Roman decadence is, after all, a great reason for coming.
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