With a history stretching back almost three thousand years "The Eternal City" is one of the cradles of Western civilisation.
Reminders of Rome's past importance are everywhere in a city that has impressive ruins from the Roman Empire, stunning art and architecture from the Renaissance, and is still the headquarters of the Catholic Church.
To this you can add a warm climate, wonderful food and wine and Italy's love of fashion - the attractions of a Roman holiday are not hard to fathom.
The basics
Rome is the capital, and largest city, of Italy and is situated on the west coast of the country. It has a typical Mediterranean climate, mild winters, hot summers and warm, sunny spring and autumn days.
Although the winters are generally mild they are unpredictable and sub-zero temperatures are not unheard of. In August the heat can become stifling and many local businesses will be closed as the locals head to the beach or the country.
How to get there
Rome is well served by flights from the UK ranging from the plentiful supply of budget options to the less-frequent services of the flag carriers. The city is served by two airports, Fiumicino - which has a direct rail service to central Rome that departs every 15 minutes - and Ciampino, which is connected to the city centre by an airport bus.
Where to stay
Rome has a full range of hotels and accommodation. Classy boutique hotels, large chains and one-off gems rub shoulders in the central areas and there are plenty of budget options.
Getting around
Many of Rome's central sites are within easy walking distance of each other, however if you do need to cross the city quickly or go further afield you will find that public transport is cheap and plentiful.
The underground is limited to two lines as a consequence of the city's rich architectural heritage, but is still useful for getting around.
As well as the underground, there are plenty of tram and bus routes and although paying by the journey is fairly economical there is also a range of passes for use over one day or longer periods.
The sights
St. Peter's – Vatican
St. Peter's Basilica is part of the Vatican City, and is one of the holiest churches in the Roman Catholic religion. Set in a stunning piazza the domed basilica is recognised as one of the most stunning feats of renaissance architecture, numbering Michaelangelo amongst its many designers.
According to Catholic tradition St. Peter is buried under the church's altar, and the tombs of other popes, including John Paul II, are also located in the crypt.
The Vatican City is itself of great cultural significance. As well as St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Rafael Rooms, it is home to some of the most famous art in the world, including works by artists such as Botticelli, Bernini, Raphael and Michelangelo. The Vatican Library and the collections of the Vatican Museums are of the highest historical, scientific and cultural importance.
Top tip:
- Queues to enter the Vatican can grow very long; it is best to arrive early in the morning to avoid the worst of the crowds when visiting St. Peter's.
Roman Rome
Unsurprisingly for the capital of the old empire and the most important city of the age Rome is flush with Roman ruins. They literally pop up everywhere, on the way in from the airports aqueducts and ancient villas are visible in the countryside, whilst around the city you will see walls, cemeteries, baths and other buildings in all kinds of places.
The two must see Roman buildings for most visitors, the Colosseum and Pantheon, are covered below, but for those who wish to see more the Forum, with its arches, temples and marketplaces, and the Palatine hill, which houses the palaces of the emperors, are well worth walking around.
The Colosseum
Overlooking the Forum, the great amphitheatre still retains a splendour and grandeur all its own, despite being a shell of its former self. The 80 arched entrances used to allow 55,000 spectators in to watch gladiators fight to the death, Christians get fed to lions, and even sea battles.
Although the arena floor is partially missing and the walls have suffered over the centuries, Colosseum still towers over its surroundings and remains one of the most impressive Roman monuments in existence anywhere.
The Pantheon
The Emperor Hadrian's temple to all the Roman gods, which is now a church, is fronted by 16 huge granite columns and an enormous pair of bronze doors. Inside, its stunning dome roof with its oculus allowing in sunlight (or rain) has remained unchanged for over 2,000 years.
The front of the building retains an inscription dedicated to Agrippa, who built the original temple on the site. However the interior now houses the tomb of the renaissance artist Raphael, who has been laid to rest alongside Italy's kings and queens.
Piazzas and fountains
Trevi Fountain
The grandest of Rome's fountains was designed by Nicola Salvi and marks the end of a Roman aqueduct. The statues of Neptune flanked by Tritons are grafted onto the back of a palace. Custom dictates that you squeeze through the crowd and toss a coin into the water to ensure your return to Rome.
Do grab an ice cream from one of the surrounding parlours and find a good spot to admire the fountain flow over the artwork.
Don't give the countless hawkers the time of day.
Piazza Navona
Regarded by many as Rome's finest Baroque square the Piazza Navona is built on the site of the Emperor Domitian's stadium and retains that shape. Notable for Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, and Borromini's church of Sant' Agnose in Agone.
Today it is packed with street artists, performers and traders, and the cafes that line its sides are an ideal place to stop for a drink while you admire the art or people watch.
Spanish Steps
The hourglass shaped steps are generally crowded with visitors but a climb to the top will give some space and quiet, as well as a great view over Rome. At the base of the steps is a Bernini fountain and the Keats-Shelley Memorial House where the poet John Keats died.
Piazza Barberini
Home to two more of Bernini's fountains, the square also marks the end of the Via Veneto, a wide avenue that is crammed with cafes and plush restaurants. It was the haunt of movie stars in the 1960s and still retains a starstruck allure.
Shopping
As you'd expect, Rome is packed with upmarket clothes shops boasting the latest designer labels. Via del Condotti and Via Babuino, which both lead away from the base of the Spanish Steps, are the streets to walk down for fashionistas – don't expect to find many bargains though – and the nearby Via Coronari is famous for antiques and jewellery.
Elsewhere, the morning market at the Campo de' Fiore has stalls covering everything from food and flowers to bargain antiques and art. The streets around the Piazza della Repubblica are great for those after second-hand books, clothes and retro fashions.
Eating and drinking
Although I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal in Rome, that clearly doesn't mean it's not possible to find one.
Steer clear of the worst looking tourist places - the range of cafes, pizzerias and trattorias available should keep even the pickiest of eaters happy.
The back streets are crammed with quality eateries, while those overlooking the Piazza Navona or the Colosseum are almost bound to be over-priced and disappointing.
The streets behind the Trevi Fountain and around the Piazza Della Rotonda both promise a wide range of choices.
Top tips:
- If you are just getting a coffee and/or sandwich in a bar then standing at the bar rather than sitting at a table will halve the cost of your food and drink.
- The absence of a blackboard does not mean there are no specials on today – ask, you may be pleasantly surprised, particularly if you can get over the language barrier.
- Skip dessert, head for the Trevi Fountain instead for a late night ice cream.
