Belgium is a low lying country on the North Sea coast in Western Europe . With the majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels , the seat of both the European Union and NATO, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe . Its immediate neighbours are France to the southwest, Luxembourg to the south east, Germany to the east and the Netherlands to the north.

How to Get In

By plane

Rome has two main international airports:

* Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Rome Fiumicino, code FCO) - well organized and connected to the center of the city by public transportation

* Ciampino International Airport - (Rome Ciampino, code CIA) located to the south of the capital, confusingly on via Leonardo Da Vinci.

Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport (FCO)

There are several options to go from Leonard da Vinci airport to downtown Rome :

* Leonardo Express trains leaves every 30 min to the central train station Roma Termini (40 min trip). Trains from Termini depart from the track on the right. Ticket costs €11, available at the counter as well as the Termini news stand. Tickets sold at the departure platform are more expensive. Be aware that the Express trains stop 1 km from the railway station. You can continue by taking any underground train of the orange line (line A) from the nearest "Vittorio" square. It is also possible to use N?70 bus. However, walking in Vittorio square and its neighborhood at night is not advisable.

* The Metropolitan train leaves from the track on the left but does not stop at Termini. Get off at Tiburtina Station or better at Ostiense Station to connect to the Rome Metro. Tickets: €5, plus €1 for a metro ticket.

* Terravision [1] runs a bus service to Termini station. Tickets: €9 single or €15 return, 70 minutes, 5 stops, 7 services a day.

* Taxis Taxis in Rome are white. From October 1st 2006 there are fix fares from downtown to airports. City center to Fiumicino and vice-versa cost 40 euros. City center to Ciampino and vice-versa cost 30 Euros. For others destinations fares are not fixed. You don't have to negotiate the price. Regular taxis have a taximeter. Fee for luggage is around 1 euro each. Watch out for unlicensed taxi drivers o limousine drivers (dark cars) that approach you at Termini station or any of the airports.

* Rental cars are available.

* Shuttle services must be booked 1 day in advance. Three Companies are listed below:

* Airport shuttle [2] offers door-to-door service from airport Fiumicino / Ciampino to Rome hotels or private residence. Minibus 8 seats Tel.: +39-06-42013469, 4740451, or 42014507.

* ACS [3] offers limousine service.

* Terravision [4] offers a shuttle service from/to Fiumicino airport to/from Termini Station (Via Marsala)

* Bus (Co.tra.l, S.p.A, blue regular-size buses) The bus stop is located outdoors at ground level ~100 meters left from arrivals (teminals B&C). You can buy tickets at all tobacco shops - they have blue signs (Tabacheria), e.g. at Terminal B or at the drugstore Terminal A. Lines are:

o Aeroporto-Termini-Tiburtina (€3.60)

o Aeroporto-Roma Cornelia (metro A) (€2.80) (schedule)

o Aeroporto-Roma Magliana (metro B) (€1.60) (schedule)

o Aeroporto-Ostia Lido (€1.00) (schedule)

o Aeroporto-Fregene (€1.00) (schedule)

o Aeroporto-Fiumicino (citt?) (€0.77) (schedule)

Don't forget to mark your ticket after getting on the bus; if the machine doesn't work (which is fairly common), you have to write your name, birth date and current date & time on the ticket.

I recommend you take the bus to EUR Magliana (stops directly at the metro station, which belongs to line B) and then take the metro. It's the cheapest way to get to the centre (€1.60 bus+€1 metro). The sign on this bus reads "Fiumicino-Porto-Magliana".

The schedule for Aeroporto-Termini-Tiburtina (this line is open from 14 September 2006 ) is:

from Fiumicino: 1:15 , 2:15 , 3:30 , 5:00 , 10:55 , 12:00 , 15:30

from Tiburtina: 0:30, 1:15 , 2:30 , 3:45 , 9:30 , 10:00

Ciampino International Airport (CIA)

Easyjet, Ryanair and Wizzair flights, among others (see Discount airlines in Europe ) fly to Ciampino Airport (CIA). This small airport is closer to the city center than Fiumicino but has no direct train connection. Note that at Ciampino cash machines are available only in the departures area.

* By bus

* COTRAL/Schiaffini [5] operates buses from outside the terminal building to "Anagnina metro station" (ticket: €1). A metro ticket to central Rome costs another €1. There are also buses at the same price to Ciampino local train station; from there there is a train to Rome Termini station (ticket: €2). The buses operate roughly every hour or 30 minutes during the Italian work day (8-12 and 16-20), and you should count on at least 45 minutes travel time for either route. Italian trains are notoriously late, and the metro can get very crowded. Timetable booklets are available in some information booths.

* Schiaffini also run direct buses to Termini station for €5 one-way (approx. 40 min), but with far fewer departures than Terravision (see below). These buses are not mentioned on the airport website yet, but you can find them on Schiaffini's own site.

* Terravision [6] runs a direct bus service to Termini. The price is €8 one-way or €13.50 return (approx. 40 min, with about 20 services a day). It is advised that passengers on the return trip from Termini to board the bus 2.5 hours before their flight's departure time. Terravision also offers buses from Fiumicino airport to Termini, and a transfer bus between the two airports.

* By taxi

The price for a taxi ride to Termini could reach as high as €80 though a fair price should be around €35-40. Always negotiate the total price including luggage supplements (tutto inclusivo) before boarding the taxi!

* By shuttle

The shared shuttle can be hired for around €15 per person. However, since the shuttle is shared, it may take longer to reach your destination if other customers are dropped off before you are.

* Rental cars are available in the airport terminal from all the usual companies.

  By train

Rome 's main railway station is Termini Station. Like any other train station, it's not very safe at night. It's also locked up between 00:30 and 04:30 , when the only people hanging around outside are taxi drivers and the homeless. Most long-distance trains passing through Rome between these times will stop at Tiburtina station instead.

Other main stations include Ostiense, Trastevere, Tuscolana, Tiburtina.

By car

Roman traffic is chaotic, so it is better to use public means, if possible, while in Rome . A valid alternative is to rent a scooter which costs about 40€ per day.

By boat

Cruise ships dock in nearby Civitavecchia . Most cruise lines offer some form of transportation to Rome . Now it is possible to dock in new Porto di Roma, Ostia , located a few kilometers from Rome and linked by train and metro.

Get around

By taxi

Warning! Some private citizens dress up their cars to look like cabs. These people strategically locate themselves at airports and railway stations waiting for travelers. Beware of operators who don't display a licensed meter and ID. Use only authorized taxis (white vehicles with a taximeter) that are available in the arrivals areas of the terminals.

Taxis are the most expensive way to get around Rome . When you get in the cab there will be a fixed starting charge. Supplements may be requested for luggage, including shopping bags, night-time runs and public holidays.

Cab stands are placed all over the city too, so flagging one down is not a problem. Be warned that when you phone for a taxi, the cab's meter starts running when it is summoned, not when it arrives to pick you up, so by the time a cab arrives at your location there may already be a substantial amount on the meter.

The main taxi companies may be called at 063570 and 065551. Rome also has several taxi cooperatives: La Capitale Tel 064994; Roma Sud Tel 066645; Cosmos 0688177.

By foot

Once you're in the center you're best off on foot. What could be more romantic than strolling through Rome on foot holding hands? Hard to beat!

Crossing a street in Rome can be challenging. There are crosswalks, but these are rarely located at signaled intersections. Traffic can be intimidating, but if you are at a crosswalk the secret to getting across is to just start walking. Cars will not slow down, but they will alter their trajectory to avoid hitting you. Do not try to run across, or anticipate gaps in traffic. Keep a steady pace, look straight ahead, and you'll get to the other side safely.

By bus

Roman buses are not known for running on strict and reliable schedules. But they are a great way to get around to all parts of the city, as long as you're not in a hurry.

The buses basically operate on the honor system, but ATAC [7] does police the bus system for people riding without tickets. ATAC officers may board at every door of the bus just before the bus leaves and check every passenger on the bus. Stamp the ticket before boarding the MetRo, or on board the bus or tram, or face a €100 fine. Though inspectors are rare, if you don't have sufficient money on you to pay the fine, they will actually escort you to an ATM to pay the fee. If you don't have an ATM card to withdraw money, the officers have been known to take you to jail for at most 24 hours.

* Transport ticket (biglietti per autobus) - one metro ride and as many bus/tram rides as you can do in an hour and a quarter (1 Euro). Tickets can only be purchased at Tabaccheria (big 'T' sign outside), newspaper kiosks or vending machines in some metro stations. You'll have more chances to buy them in "Bars" inside the Metro stations.

* So called "24 hour" tickets are only valid on the day you buy them, not for 24 hours after buying. Be aware that many tabaccherie close on Sunday, so buy your tickets in advance. You can also get tickets for longer periods. For example, a three-day ticket costs €11. They're dead handy, as you can use them on the bus, tram and metro.

* One of the most popular and useful lines is the 40, which arches from the Termini station through the historic center and then up to the Castel Sant'Angelo, near the Vatican .

* Night buses Night buses should be useful due to the closing of the Metro stations at 23:30 and the stop of regular lines of buses and Trams at midnight . During the summer (until 23rd September) and on Fridays and Saturdays, the frequency of the rides is halved, which can vary among 10, 15, 30 and 35 minutes depending on the line, and of course, the particular pace of the city. In any case they are much more punctual than during the day, as traffic is much less jammed. This makes the drivers drive at high speeds, allowing passengers to experience a strange mixture of adrenaline and (the city's) classical views.

By tram

The Tram routes mostly skirt the historic center, but there are stops convenient for the Vatican , the Colosseum, and the Trastevere area. The number 8 does run into the center, not far from the Pantheon. If you want to catch a soccer game at one of the stadiums in the north of the city, catch the tram (225) just north of the Piazza del Popolo.

By Metro

There are two lines, crossing at Termini station. Line A (red line) runs northwest past the Vatican , and south. Line B (Blue Line) runs southwest past the Colosseum and northeast. At moment (2006) Line A stops running at 9:00 pm . The Metro is the most punctual form of public transportation in Rome , but it can get extremely crowded during rush hour. Watch out for your belongings. Pickpockets are very adept at unzipping pockets of pants and purses on crowded trains.

What to See

The Colosseum - Entry €11 (€9 if you're under 25). Expect a long queue and an even longer wait. You can skip the queue if you decide to take a tour, but if you don't want a tour, you can STILL skip the queue. If you walk across the street to the Roman Forum, you can buy a day-long pass for 10 euros,better still, a 7-day pass for 20 euros or a standard Colosseum + Palatine ticket at €11. This pass gets you in to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Baths of Caracalla, and the catacombs. If you don't want to cram it all into one day, get the pass. Plus, it is nice to buy a slice of pizza and eat in the gardens of Palatine Hill. There are lots of people offering tours in English just outside the entrance to the Colosseum. Inside you can take a tour (English, Spanish, or German) every 30 minutes or so for an additional fee of 3.5 euros per person. The tours are given by knowledgeable archeologists, but they don't take you to any areas you couldn't visit on your own.

The Pantheon - A marvel of ancient architecture, this ancient temple to all the gods is celebrated for its large dome, copied during Greek and Roman revival periods by such designers as Thomas Jefferson, who modeled his Monticello and the Rotunda at the University of Virginia on it. Built during the reign of the emperor Hadrian (AD 125-128), the Pantheon carries a dedication to Marcus Agrippa, who built the original structure on this spot in 27 BC. As it is still a functioning church, silence is requested during your visit. From inside the Pantheon, you'll see a hole in the dome; during the reign of Pope Urban VIII, the Pope ordered the bronze ceiling of the Pantheon's portico melted down. The bronze was used to make bombards to for the fortification of the Castel Sant' Angelo. Free admission.

Roman Forum - If stones could talk: these hallowed ruins were the most powerful seat of government in the world. The Forum is much less crowded than the Colosseum and, from a historical perspective, much more interesting. Free admission, except for an audio guide, which is highly recommended.

Palatine Hill - right next to the Roman Forum, contains the ruins of several large villas that belonged to wealthy Roman families. You can buy a combined ticket for the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum here, avoiding the long lines at the Colosseum.

Fori Imperiali - Entry €7 (cheaper for EU nationals, free for EU history students). The inside of the fort is very similar to a museum, with a lot of rooms containing items in glass cases. It is a bit of a maze and takes time to orient yourself, but it is worth climbing to very top for a view of the city and the Vatican .

What to Eat

The Trastevere neighbourhood and the old Jewish quarter have some of the best trattorie and ristoranti in Rome .

In Rome you can ask for:

* Carciofi alla romana (artichokes, Roman style)

* Carciofi alla giudia (artichokes, Jewish style)

* Puntarelle

* Bucatini alla Amatriciana

* Spaghetti (or Rigatoni) alla "Carbonara", a sauce made with egg and pancetta (bacon)

* Abbacchio alla "scottadito"

* Rigatoni con la "Pajata" (not always available)

* Scaloppine alla romana

* Coda alla "vaccinara"

* Pizza. Lots of the better places only serve pizza in the evening as it takes most of the day to get the wood oven up to the right temperature. Try some of the fried things like baccala (battered salt cod) for a starter, followed by a pizza for a really roman meal. For one of the most famous places for pizza try 'Da Baffetto' (Via del Governo Vecchio). Roman pizzas tend to be very thin crusted.

What to Drink

Regional wines are cheaper and very good. House wines are almost always drinkable and inexpensive (unlike, say in the UK ). Most trattorie wouldn't be caught dead serving poor wine. This doesn't apply to those places that look really tourist-trappy! (And why would you want to eat there?)

Water is free at most designated water fountains. Some of these date to ancient times, and the water is still very good. It's fresh spring water and safe to drink. If you carry an empty bottle, fill it up for the rest of the day. Look for the drinking fountain with constant running water, plug the bottom hole, and cool water will shoot up from a smaller hole on top of the tap.

Stay Safe

Rome is generally a safe place, even for women travelling alone. As in any big city, it is better if you don't look like a tourist: don't exhibit your camera or camcorder to all and sundry, and keep your money in a safe place. Termini (the main railway station), Esquilino and bus line 64 (Termini to San Pietro) are not so safe, so take extra care in these areas. Read up on the legends concerning tourist scams. Most of them occur regularly in Rome and you will want to see them coming. Watch out especially for bands of kids who will crowd you and reach for your pockets under the cover of newspapers or cardboard sheets.

Rome is also home to two rival Serie A football clubs, A.S. Roma and S.S. Lazio, and there is a history of conflict, and even rioting, between the two. If you dare to wear anything that supports either of them, especially during the Rome Derby (when the two clubs play each other), make sure you don't wander into supporters of the other club, or you may be subject to heckling or even confrontation. Play it safe and refrain from openly supporting either club unless you are very familiar with the rivalry.