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Rome is a city with great Mediterranean flavour of agreeable climate and warm people. Hence its nightlife, though quiet, is an important claim for the traveller wanting to know its spirit and authenticity. Sure you will love a relaxing time under the moonlight in some of its squares or a walk along the Tiber River. But if you’re a party enthusiast, Rome also features incredible places to move your body ‘till you get exhausted. Its nightlife tends towards sobriety, but if you do it well, you don’t have to go home disappointed.

The locals in Rome take it easy. A typical Rome night out, usually involves a long and relaxing dinner with a group of friends that stretches until after midnight. But some people, even before having dinner, get together for an aperitif which is a deeply rooted tradition where they eat small morsels or snacks accompanied by a glass of wine.

Once we have satisfied the appetite, the bars of the centre are a good choice to start the night. Most of them have nice terraces where you can have an early drink. The two most popular areas for having a drink are Trastevere and the historic centre, especially around Campo de ‘Fiori and Piazza Navona. Locals and tourists usually go to its bars, ranging from the most fashionable to the more traditional. If what you want is to get drunk like when you were young and to meet other foreigners, you should go to one of the many Irish pubs in the area.

After having a few drinks, what better way to continue the night than with some dancing? Testaccio is the area with the highest influx of nightclubs. The area around the Pyramid subway station and the Via Hóstiense also has a large concentration of nightclubs. In summer most clubs close, and the nightlife moves towards the coast and to the villages that border the city.

The GOA nightclub has become the icon of Rome nightlife. This is the most fashionable and hip place in the city. Other noteworthy places are Artcafé ((Piazza di Siena) and La Maison (Vicolo dei Granaria).

The nightlife in Rome usually ends at about 3.30 or 4.00. To go back “home” there is a great network of night buses that crisscross the city. Rent Apartments in Rome and enjoy your stay in the eternal city.

You couldn’t have asked for a better Champions League final. The match between Manchester United and Barcelona FC will be much more than a simple duel between two gigantic clubs. Firstly we’ll see the individual dual between the two club’s respective star players; Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi who will both try to demonstrate their football superiority on the pitch. The Portuguese star who is Balon d’Or and FIFA World Player 2008 is in one of the finest moments of his career. Messi though is snapping at his heels and is looking forward to being this year’s player of the year if Barcelona wins all their remaining trophies: La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Champions League. Secondly, Pep Guardiola who looks unstoppable will have to face Alex Ferguson, a Premier League heavyweight who’s been in charge of Manchester United since 1986.

On 27th May 2009 Barcelona and Manchester United will come face to face in Rome’s Olympic Studium after eliminating Chelsea and Arsenal in their semi-final matches respectively. Barcelona is looking for their third title while Manchester is hoping for a fourth. The mighty Barça acquired their passport to glory thanks to a last minute goal by Andrés Iniesta much to the dismay of a Chelsea team who hardly let Barcelona get into their stride and effectively sealed all the entrances to the Chelsea goal. Manchester United had it much easier with a 1-3 win over an Arsenal team led by Cesc Fabregás.

You couldn’t ask for any more emotion than this! Both clubs are leaders in their respective home leagues and with only a few matches to go, both could be crowned league champions. Barça is 8 points clear at the top with Real Madrid currently second, still smarting over their 2-6 defeat by a far superior Pep Guardiola team while Manchester United are 3 points clear of Liverpool, their nearest rivals. Manchester United also have a game in hand which takes some of the pressure off.

After the “clash of the titans” which was last year’s final between Manchester and Chelsea; Barcelona will try to introduce some new elements this year namely a less physical style which is more centred on ball control.

Although Manchester United are the current holders of the trophy it is not the first time Barcelona reach the final with an English team. Barcelona won the trophy in 2006 beating London club Arsenal FC 2-1 with goals from Eto’o and Belletti.

Barcelona FC has received some great complements this year due to the sheer quality of their football and their fans will expect more of the same in this final and who are also hoping that Barcelona can manage the “triple” – League, Copa Del Rey and Champions League cups. On the other hand Manchester will try to defend the trophy and hold onto it. They were the last team to win the “triple” in 1999 – a feat that Barça would dearly love to accomplish.

Would you like to watch the match live this year? I’m sure you would! Buy your tickets before it’s too late and don’t forget about your accommodation. Rent the best apartments in Rome and enjoy this epic Champions League final.

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