The Costco Connection

TRAVELCONNECTION

I FIRST TRAVELED to Italy’s capital when I was ;; years old. It was, and still is, eternally entrancing—a city that satisfies anyone with a love of history, art, and, yes, gelato.

When you travel to Rome, you need to consume this city in manageable bites. Explore the Colosseum, the art-filled Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, but don’t ignore Rome’s multitude of narrow lanes lined with restaurants, shops and less well-known neighborhoods.

The key is when to go. May and September are my favorite months for the city, as it tends to be a bit quieter.

Regardless of when you travel, here are some tips to guide you on your visit.

The Vatican

Along with ; million people a year, you will want to see the Vatican, the world’s smallest city-state. To avoid standing in line, try a private tour and sit comfortably in the cafeteria while the guide takes care of the admission ticket, or you can buy a timed ticket in advance for a small booking fee at the Vatican website ( www.vaticanstate.va/ content/vaticanstate/ en.html).

If you decide to go it on your own, don’t visit
first thing in the morning or on a Monday, since
the museums are usually closed on Sunday and
that may mean twice the usual crowd. Try around
; or ; p.m., which still gives you time to explore the
Vatican’s vast treasures and gaze at the Sistine
Chapel ceiling before closing time.

This is a good time to go old-school: Bring along postcards to write and then mail them from the Swiss-operated post office (think: unusual stamps complete with a Vatican postmark).

Ruins of a civilization

Another must-see are Roman ruins, especially the Colosseum, where ;;,;;; spectators would revel in the gore and glory of ancient Rome as gladiators hailed the emperor and then fought to the death. If you want a more dramatic view, take a tour to the amphitheater’s newly opened top tiers, once the cheap seats of the lower classes. Either book tickets online ( il-colosseo.it/en) or go to the less-visited ticket office on Palatine Hill, once home to Roman emperors and a short walk to the Colosseum. Tickets are good for the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the center of ancient civic and spiritual life. And, you can get into a true historical spirit and sign up for a short course at the Gladiator School of Rome (grup postoricoromano.it/en).

Diverse tastes

Get away from the city center and cross the Tiber River (a short cab ride from the Vatican) for the more residential and relaxed atmosphere

This ancient capital teems with art, culture, history—and gelato!

No place like Rome

Ruins of the Roman Forum at sunset.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

I R S TO NE / S H U T TE RS TO CK

PETER GREENBERG

Peter Greenberg is the multiple–Emmy Award– winning travel editor for CBS News and host of The Travel Detective on public television ( petergreenberg.com).

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COSTCOCONNECTION Costco Travel offers packages to Rome and other destinations in Italy, Europe and around the world. Costco Executive members can now earn a 2% Reward up to $1,000 on quali;ed Costco purchases when they book hotels, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages through Costco Travel (terms, conditions and exclusions apply). Using the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi adds another 3% cash-back reward. To learn more, click “Travel” at Costco.com or call 1-877-849-2730.