BY FAITH NYAMAI
If you are looking for your next tourist destination to spend your holiday, the city of Rome in Italy is the place to visit.
In the town lies the Trevi fountain, and as they say, if you will have to visit, it’s important to consider waiting until it starts turning dark to experience the beauty and splendour that comes with the artistic structure.
The beautiful features are the artistic work of three men standing on top of rock-like structures. And the water flowing like spring from the rocks and settling on the floor to make an ocean look.
The reason behind its romantic feeling is probably its origin and the name, which is associated with love.
The water, given the names Trevi and Virgin Waters, is associated with a young Roman girl who assisted thirsty soldiers to get water from the spring.
It is also famous after being featured in various movies, the most famous being the romantic “La Dolce Vita,” an Italian film.
With Sh1 million, you will be able to pay for a return ticket for your flight and afford to travel to various destinations in the city.
If you want to travel as a couple or with your family, you may consider setting aside above Sh2 million that will enable you to have a luxurious tour away from Kenya.
You may also consider setting aside a further Sh500, 000 million for other local expenditures and for shopping while on your tour.
As we approached the fountain, we were attracted by the number of tourists from various countries across the world, among the Asians, the white people speaking different languages, and the black people from the African continent.
Many had left their countries with their families for a holiday in Rome, Italy, to visit the magical place, which has now become a must-visit while in Rome.
And as many people believe it is a place of romance, we were attracted by a young man who suddenly proposes to her girlfriend after taking some pictures.
For a rich couple that would want to spoil themselves in a lovely scene, the fountain offers that glamorous feeling that remains a memorable landmark in their memory.
From a distance, you can hear the sound of water falling from the spring and back, creating that coastal feeling.
The fountain is a jewel at the centre of the city that has been attracting people from across the world. Although in most of the cities in Italy there is always a fountain nearby, the Trevi Fountain is the most visited by tourists from all corners of the world.
Once you visit, you will always want to visit because of the beautiful structures that make you want to stay.
Most of those who have ever visited the fountain always find themselves travelling back to tour it over and over again to refresh their memories.
Besides the fountain being a beautiful tourist destination, it is believed to have that magical power that keeps drawing people back to the city.
According to locals, once you are at the fountain and you toss a coin in the air using your right hand over your shoulder and it falls in the water, you will have high chances of finding your way back to Rome for a tour.
A third myth suggests that throwing a coin may lead to a new romance, while a third belief suggests that throwing a coin will lead to marriage.
Because of these beliefs, many tourists from other countries who visit the fountain have found themselves tossing one to three coins when they visit the fountain.
According to Francesco Paulo, a vendor who sells souvenirs to visiting tourists, the tradition and the custom of tossing the coins have caused the Rome municipality to collect the tossed coins occasionally to help the poor.
“In a day when between 2500 and 4000 coins are tossed into the fountain, people come with their families and children just to see the fountain,” he said.
Mr. Antonio Reberto, a photographer, estimated the number of those visiting daily at close to a thousand.
During the day, the numbers are large and continue decreasing as darkness enters. However, the government has ensured there is tight security by deploying security men around the fountain throughout the day and night.
The fountain is the largest in Rome and has remained a source of tourist attraction for decades.
It was completed in 1762 as part of the tradition of building fountains to mark the end of an acqueduct.
Its construction started in the 15th century; however, in the 17th century, Pope Clement XII ordered the design to be changed to make it more beautiful. The construction, however, stopped after he died and then competed in 1762.
It was the station point of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct and was used to provide water for bathing soldiers.
Near Fountain are expensive restaurants with heavy, expressive meals that accommodate the rich, offering them a quiet environment for dinner and lunch.
A tour from Kenya to Rome to visit the fountain using the longest flight offered by Qatar Airways will cost a minimum of Sh 80,117 if you choose Qatar Airways.
From Kenya, it takes five hours to Doha airport and another five hours and 30 minutes to Rome.
While touring the fountain, you can choose to spend your night at the Ibis Styles hotels, which offer world-class accommodations for international visitors.
The hotel room has a wide, comfortable bed, a sofa, and a table that allows you to enjoy your private reading.
A television set that has English channels is also available. In most hotels in the city, most TV stations can only allow one to watch Italian channels. A strong WiFi connection is also provided to the visitors for constant communication, which also allows WhatsApp video calls for one to connect with their family back at home.
A buffet breakfast is offered. The hotel also has a modern restaurant and a bar.
Approximately five minutes’ walk from the hotel is a natural manmade lake that allows one to enjoy the cold breeze throughout the day while on their tour of Rome.
To tour the Trevi fountain from the hotel, one spends up to 60 euros (which is Sh6,528) on a return ticket to use a luxury taxi.
While in Rome, one can also visit the Vatican City, the country of Pope Francis, which has also become a tourist destination for thousands of pilgrims from across the world.
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