Rome, the eternal city, was founded thousands of years ago thanks to two brothers and a hospitable wolf. Nowadays Rome is home to over 3 million souls and contrary to many European cities its' population is growing. It is a metropolis for commerce, art and culture, shopping, football and great nightlife. Despite the Eternal City's booming population there is still much greenery in Rome. The main attraction in Rome is undoubtedly the Colosseum, attracting over 7 million visitors a year it is Italy's second most popular attration (the first is St Marks in Venice) and there are plans to open it in 2004 for rock concerts and other gigs.

Public Holidays Rome 2005 2006

May Day Workers Holiday May 1, 2005 St Peter and Paul's Day June 29, 2005 Feast of the Assumption August 15, 2005 All Saints Day November 1, 2005 Immaculate Conception December 8, 2005 Christmas Day December 25, 2005 Boxing Day December 26, 2005 New Year January 1, 2006 Epiphany January 6, 2006 Easter Sunday April 16, 2006 Easter Monday April 17, 2006 Liberation Day April 25, 2006 May Day Workers Holiday May 1, 2006 St Peter and Paul's Day June 29, 2006 Feast of the Assumption August 15, 2006 All Saints Day November 1, 2006 Immaculate Conception December 8, 2006 Christmas Day December 25, 2006 Boxing Day December 26, 2006

Language spoken
• Italian is the primary language. However, as the capital city and the home of an empire than once spanned across two thirds of the globe the city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. English is widely understood although some Italians are too bashful to speak it!

Time zone
• Greenwich Mean Time +1 hour Central European Time

Working hours
• Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm - Romans are not the best time keepers and tend to be late more often than not. They make up for it though by working later. Food shops "alimentari" are closed on Mondays and every day from from 1 p.m. until 18:00.
Monday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm - Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 am to 7:00 pm