Rome Holidays

The ancient Romans were on the money when they nicknamed this place the Eternal City. They believed it would survive forever, and the bevy of pristine historic sites shows that they weren’t wrong. It’s full-to-bursting with centuries-old architecture, and the gaps are filled in with trendy boutiques, pavement cafés and traditional trattorias.

Rome’s piazzas are at the heart of the city’s social scene, and showcase everything from symmetrical churches to Egyptian-style obelisks. You can’t go five minutes without stumbling on one of these charming squares, and they range from intimate meeting spots to sprawling, fountain-filled spaces. Restaurants spill out along the sides of Piazza Navona, while Piazza Santa Maria doubles up as a stage for street magicians and buskers.

Picture gladiatorial battles in the towering Colosseum, cross the statue-flanked bridge to Castel Sant’Angelo, or watch the world go by on the flower-lined Spanish Steps – and you’ve still barely scratched the surface. The whole city centre’s got a UNESCO tick to its name, and lines up other standout sights like the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Capitoline Hill.

In the heart of Italy’s culture-stuffed capital, you’ll find Vatican City. St Peter’s Basilica dominates the skyline, while Tuscan colonnades form a ring around the adjoining square. The Swiss Guard, clad in flamboyant blue, orange and red-striped uniforms, continue their long-standing protection of the Pope around the grounds. Inside, the dazzling architecture includes the Sistine Chapel – tilt your head back here, and you’ll see Michelangelo’s famous Renaissance fresco.