Places of a Life Time

50 Places of a Life Time (Resource: National Geographic)

In October 1999 National Geographic Traveler showcased 50 of the world's top destinations, places that every curious traveler should visit in a lifetime.

1 New York
2 Istanbul
3 Barcelona
4 Hong Kong
5 Rio de Janeiro
6 Paris
7 Jerusalem
8 London
9 Venice
10 San Francisco
11 Serengeti
12 Canadian Rockies
13 Australian Outback
14 Papua New Guinea Coral Reefs
15 Amazon
16 Grand Canyon
17 Galapagos
18 Venezuela's Tepuis
19 Sahara
20 Antarctica
21 Pacific Islands
22 Boundary Waters
23 Japanese Ryokan
24 Greek Islands
25 Seychelles
26 Torres del Paine
27 British Virgin Islands
28 Amalfi Coast
29 Kerala
30 Hawaiian Islands
31 England's Lake District
32 North Island，New Zealand
33 Loire Valley
34 Big Sur
35 Canadian Maritimes
36 Vermont
37 Coastal Norway
38 Danang to Hue
39 Alps
40 Tuscany
41 Tai Mahal
42 Mesa Verde
43 Vatican
44 Acropolis
45 Petra
46 Machu Picchu
47 The Great Wall
48 Angkor
49 Giza Pyramids
50 Cyberspace

But today, we are going to talk about Rome and Athens.

ROME

The Eternal City is one of Europe’s most ancient urban centers, dating back almost 3,000 years. Rome’s early inhabitants left behind a trove of architectural masterpieces, including the massive Colosseum. The Italian capital also boasts an unparalleled concentration of world-class art, from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel to the baroque Trevi Fountain, and teems with restaurants, trattorie, osterie, pizzerie, enoteche, cafés, bars, and gelaterie. It is home to the animated, good-humored Romans, who live to eat, drink wine (and espresso), and hold forth on everything from politics to soccer, fashion, food, and films. Rome also encompasses the Catholic Church’s independent city-state, the Vatican, which is home to the imposing St. Peter’s Basilica—and the Pope.

Planning:

Entry Requirements: Taiwan citizens need a valid passport to enter Italy.

Time: Italy is six hours behind of Taiwanese time.

Money: The currency of Italy is the euro.

When to Go: April through June and late September through October are the best times to visit Rome, when temperatures are milder and there are fewer crowds.

Getting There: Rome's main international airport is Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (also called Fiumicino), a 30-40 minute drive west of Rome, near the coastal town of Ostia. There is a 30-minute train from Fiumicino to Rome's central train station, Termini; the train leaves every half hour and costs 10 euros. The rate for a taxi into Rome is a new flat fee of 40 euros (not including tip).

Getting Around: Rome's central core is a walker's dream; many of the major landmarks and piazzas are within walking distance of each other. Buses are very popular with locals and are useful to reach more distant neighborhoods. To hop on a bus, buy a ticket for 1 euro at almost any newsstand or "Tabacchi" shop.

There are several taxi stands around the city; the ones at Piazza delle Cinque Lune and Piazza di Spagna are the most reliable. It is also easy to summon a taxi by phone (+39 06 3570), but note that the meter starts when the taxi leaves the stand, not when it picks you up.

Rome's Metro has been less than comprehensive, impeded by having to work around the city's many ancient and often subterranean Roman ruins. But the system is—gradually—expanding.

Checklist:

Passport, Immunization Records When Possible, and Some Euros: Taiwanese citizens need a valid passport to enter Italy, which is a member of the European Union. Immunization records are very helpful in the event of a medical emergency. Although ATMs are available at the airports and around the city, it is wise to get some euros before you travel to Rome to cover unforeseen situations or expenses.

Shawl for Women, Long Pants for Men: Knees and shoulders must be covered when entering many Catholic churches in Rome. Women should pack a scarf or shawl to wrap around their shoulders when entering St. Peter's Basilica in the Holy See and most other Catholic churches, and should avoid wearing short skirts or dresses. Men should wear long pants.

Sunglasses: A must, during summer months for the sun, the rest of the year to fit in with the locals.

Flat Shoes, Sneakers, or Light Hiking Boots for Women: Much of central Rome is paved with cobblestones, so high heels are a liability—though nice for special-occasion evenings.

Sunscreen: The summer sun is deceptively powerful at Rome's latitude, especially if dining alfresco at lunchtime.

Power Adapters: Adapters—plugs made for European outlets—are necessary for most U.S. appliances used overseas. Some items may require transformers.

Italian-English Pocket Phrasebook or Dictionary: Romans enjoy helping visitors with their Italian, so go ahead, try out some basic words and sentences.

Culture Differences

Dos and Don'ts:

• Coffee Etiquette: Italian breakfast consists of a pastry and a cappuccino or shot of espresso. If eaten outside of home, breakfast is always consumed standing up at the local bar. An espresso is not sipped; it is downed in one gulp. Cappuccino is generally a morning drink and is not drunk after noon by real Italians. A post-dinner espresso, however, is common practice.
• Dinner Rules: It is expected for guests to arrive for dinner reservations at least fifteen minutes late. In many restaurants, printed menus are for tourists. Regular patrons know to ask for the daily specials, which typically feature the freshest ingredients. Bread, when served, is rarely accompanied by butter or olive oil.
• Drink the Water: Rome has plenty of public water fountains, and real Romans (and their dogs) always drink from them. To drink directly from the fountain, plug the spout with your finger, which forces the water to shoot out of a smaller opening higher on the spout (an early version of the modern water fountain). Many people also refill their water bottles from these fountains.
• Mind the Traffic: Unless there's a traffic light or you are in a crosswalk, don't expect cars to stop for you; they won't. Interestingly for a car-crazy city, crosswalks are obeyed. Pedestrians always have the right of way in a crosswalk, even when it doesn't seem possible. Still, it only makes good sense to proceed with caution.
• vicino a (vi-CHINO—near) Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, or other major landmark.
• Money: Always have some euros with you: Most major hotels, restaurants, and shops take credit cards, but many smaller operations either will balk at credit cards for smaller purchases or do not accept credit cards at all. ATMs are available around the city and at the airports. Note that various U.S. banks and credit card companies now charge an extra fee for individual credit-card purchases overseas; check with your provider for its policy.
• It's All About Soccer: Roman men—indeed most Italian men—are passionate about their soccer. Arm yourself with some knowledge of Italy's soccer scene—in particular the doings of Rome's two big teams, Lazio and AS Roma—and you'll find ready conversation partners almost everywhere.
• Enjoy the City's Chaos: Rome can seem chaotic, with people shouting to each other, traffic racing everywhere, and cars parked in the most unlikely spots. There is, however, a system to much of this apparent anarchy, honed over centuries.
• Romans are an Expressive Lot: Happy to share their thoughts, opinions, and emotions. They also are resourceful, entrepreneurial, passionate, playful, occasionally rude or arrogant—but always entertaining and almost always good-humored.

ATHENS

Birthplace of drama, democracy, and philosophy, Athens today is synonymous with smog, cement, and aesthetic anarchy. But after a radical revamp for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, Athens is enjoying a renaissance. The clash between myth and modern-day grit is an Athenian trademark: marble busts adorn souvlaki joints, Byzantine churches nestle beside bouzouki clubs, the Parthenon reigns serene above a ragged expanse of apartment blocks. More than three million people are crammed into this loud, laid-back city. With 300 days of sunshine a year, a 75-mile (120-kilometer) coastline, and 3 a.m. traffic jams, irrepressible Athens is a muse for beach bums and barflies, as much as classical scholars and art lovers.

Planning:

Entry Requirements: Taiwanese citizens need a valid passport to enter Greece, and can stay 90 days or less without a visa.

Security: Athens is one of the safest cities in Europe. But do take appropriate precautions to keep your personal belongings safe, as pickpockets are becoming more prevalent.

Time: Greece is seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.

Money: The currency of Greece is the Euro.

Phone Calls:The country code for Greece is +30. Athens’ area code is 210.

When to Go: Winters in Greece are relatively mild, summers searingly hot. Avoid Athens in August, when many restaurants and attractions close, especially around the August 15 national holiday.

Getting There: Athens International Airport is served by most international carriers. Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines operate connecting flights to many islands.

Getting Around: Driving is on the right side of the road. Public transport is extremely cheap and the fastest way of getting around the traffic-clogged city. The spotless Athens Metro covers most landmarks, including the airport. Buy tickets at any station and validate before boarding. A convenient way to tour the sights is the OASA 400 sightseeing bus––you can hop on and off for 24 hours using the same ticket. (Departure from National Archaeological Museum every 30 minutes, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m., June-September). The tram runs a slow service from central Athens to the seaside and along the coast from Faliron to Glyfada––useful for beach- and barhopping. Taxis are among the cheapest in Europe, but swindling tourists is regarded as fair game. Check that the meter is running, and if you take a taxi from the airport, confirm the price in advance. The Proastiakos or suburban railway provides speedy links to the airport and as far as Corinth.

Checklist:

Sightseeing Tips: Many museums and sights close at 3 p.m. in low season, so get an early start to avoid missing out. If you plan to visit several archaeological sites, buy a $17 multiple entry ticket valid for the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Keramikos, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Roman Agora.

Tourist Police: Available 24 hours, the multilingual tourist police (dial 171) will help with problems or emergencies.

Sunscreen: Bring a sun hat and always wear sunscreen if you’re visiting Athens in summer. The glare is especially bright at archaeological sights, where shade is usually scant.

Insect Repellent: Mosquitoes can be a problem. Greek cosmetics brand Propoline’s natural insect repellent is effective.

Greek Orthodox Etiquette: If you plan to visit churches or monasteries, dress appropriately. Women should wear knee-length skirts and avoid revealing tops. Men should wear pants, rather than shorts.

Culture Differences

Dos and Don'ts:

• Time difference. Don’t fret if someone shows up late for a date. “To enjoy Athens, you must follow the pace of life. Stay up late. Forget lunch at noon and dinner at 6 p.m.––you’ll miss all the action.”––Diane Shugart, author, Athens by Neighborhood.
• Address code. Greeks use the formal plural pronoun (sas) when addressing older people or strangers.
• Talk to the hand. Avoid raising an outstretched palm to a person; this is an offensive gesture known as the moutza.
• Eating etiquette. Greeks are not sticklers for table manners. At home and especially at tavernas, everyone at the table shares foods, with diners dipping bread into dishes to soak up olive oil or sauce.
• Siesta time. Many Greeks still take a midday siesta, so don’t phone friends or play loud music between 2-5 p.m.
• Personal space. Greeks are very tactile. Greeks greet people they know with a kiss on both cheeks and frequently make physical contact.
• Smoke signals. A nonsmoker’s nightmare. Despite smoking bans in stores, restaurants, public buildings, and banks, smokers puff away at will and bristle if asked to stop.

Vocabulary

1. ancient - of or in time long past, esp. before the end of the Western Roman Empire
2. Colosseum - an ancient amphitheater in Rome, begun a.d. c70 by Vespasian, having the form of an oval 617 by 512 ft. (188 by 156 m).
3. Immunization - the fact or process of becoming immune, as against a disease.
4. Etiquette - conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.
5. democracy - government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
6. synonymous - having the character of synonyms or a synonym; equivalent in meaning; expressing or implying the same idea.
7. smog - smoke or other atmospheric pollutants combined with fog in an unhealthy or irritating mixture
8. cement - any of various calcined mixtures of clay and limestone, usually mixed with water and sand, gravel, etc., to form concrete, that are used as a building material.
9. Anarchy - a state of society without government or law
10. Renaissance - the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.