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Rome, the capital of Italy, is a perennial favourite with tourists who want to immerse themselves in the art, culture and history of this ancient city in central Italy on the banks of the River Tiber (Tevere) in the Lazio region of the country.

Steeped in history, Rome was one of the most powerful and influential centres as it was home to the Roman Emperor and with the Vatican City, Rome has a prominent place in Christianity too, which is why Rome is often referred to as ‘The Eternal City’ or ‘Caput Mundi’ which is ‘Capital of the world’ in Latin.

Today, Rome is a bustling and lively modern metropolis littered with essential ‘must see’ sights, many of which are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites and attract thousands of visitors each year. The official language in Rome is Italian, the currency is the Euro and the city is one hour ahead of the UK.

Scheduled, charter and low cost airlines all fly into Rome, using either Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci (also known as Fiumicino), as well as Ciampino Airport.

Fiumicino Airport (IATA code FCO) is south west of Rome and the newer of the two main airports. Rome centre is around 45 minutes to and hours’ drive away and there are trains which run directly into the centre too, taking about 30 minutes.

Ciampino Airport (IATA code CIA) is a civil and military airport south east of the city. There are no direct trains into Rome from here, but there buses which take you to the end of the number two metro line in around 30 minutes. From here it’s a 20 minutes metro ride into the centre.

Both airports offer car hire, but if you are going to be staying in Rome centre, it’s best to not bother with a car as traffic is heavy and fairly chaotic. In essence, the city is easier to explore on foot as the historic centre is pedestrianised, so either take public transport or a pre-booked taxi or shared mini bus transfer from the airport.

Remember that you’ll be charged an airport and luggage surcharge by taxi drivers, or even more if you accept a ride from one of the taxis eagerly vying for business. It’s wise to ignore these offers and queue at the official taxi stand.

If you decide to catch the train, check before leaving the airport as to which station is closest to your accommodation, there are a few to pick from.

People come to Rome to wander around the ancient monuments, cobbled streets and explore this most fascinating city filled to the brim with art, architecture, culture, food and shopping.

Nobody can go to Rome without seeing the Vatican and its museums. Its almost five miles (eight kms) of displays are incomparable. The whole experience will leave you speechless, but remember there’s no talking and there are lengthy security checks before you’re even let in. A highlight has to be the famous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.

Just some of the main sights to see include: St Peters, St John Lateran and Santa Maria Maggiore Basilicas, the Trevi Fountain (to through your coin in!), the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona (the city square), Villa Borghese Gardens (spectacular flowers and gardens in a distinctly English style), the Capitoline Museums, the National Monument of Vittorio Emmanuelle II, the Castel Sant’Angelo, Galleria Doria Pamphilj art museum and the Barberini and Corsini palaces.

On top of this, there are endless ancient Roman sites such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and La Bocca della Verita to visit.

One thing to remember is that in peak tourist season queuing to see the sights is par for the course. If you’re determined to see the Sistine Chapel, the best thing to do is to start queuing around an hour before the museums open and then sprint straight to the Chapel!

Aside from all the sightseeing, Rome is a destination that lends itself to wandering around taking in the sights, sounds and atmosphere with plenty of shopping and cafes to distract you or rest your tired legs.

Finding your way around Rome and knowing which sights to see when can be mind-boggling, so if you haven’t got time or the inclination to do all the research in advance, a short break as part of an escorted tour to Rome or a holiday with a range of optional excursions might be the best choice for you.

As you might expect from a city this popular, you’ll need to book accommodation for your trip to Rome well in advance.

Accommodation within walking distance of the tourists sights is plentiful and ranges from budget hostels to glamourous five star hotels. Don’t forget to take earplugs if you’re a light sleeper or in a room next to the road – traffic here runs twenty-four hours a day.

For local produce, primarily fish, fruit and flowers, you can’t go beat the morning Field of Flowers market. Even if you’re not interested in buying, it’s a fantastic place to just people-watch as you sit in one of the surrounding cafes sipping coffee.

Head to the Via Condotti for designer clothes and accessories full of glitz and fashion glamour to rival Milan or Paris.

If you’re more of a bargain hunter avoid the posh boutiques of Via Condotti and visit Via del Governo Vechhio and Porta Portese, the weekend market in the Trastevere district which is popular with locals and tourists alike. Both are boutiquey and trendy and have second-hand clothes, knick-knacks and junk at reasonable prices.

And when you’ve spent all your money shopping, the Trastevere is a great place to eat – good value and traditional fare.

Thankfully, Rome hasn’t been totally taken over by the worldwide tastes so you’ll still find many eateries serving pasta and wood-oven pizzas, although it’s worth noting that expensive prices don’t guarantee high quality.

Classic dishes include ‘Spaghetti all Carbonara’, ‘Saltimbocca alla Romano’ which is veal cutlet served with ham and cooked in a white wine and butter sauce. The area is also famous for artichokes, so you’ll see dished like ‘Carciofi alla Giudia’ which is an artichoke-based dish.

One insider tip when in Rome, is to not order a cappucino after a meal – it’s a sure giveaway that you’re a tourist as, although being one of Italy’s biggest exports, a cappucino is only drunk in the mornings!

Wine buffs will also be very happy in Rome with a huge choice of good Italian wines from all over the country and also a good collection or locally brewed beers too. A true foody delight!

The main tourist season in Rome is April to June and mid-September to mid-October.

Visit in the height of summer and you’ll find it’s a city of heat, humidity, siestas and tourists.

If you’re interested in festivals and tradition visit in mid to late June for the Festa de Noantri. Held in Trastevere, it’s in honour of Madonna del Carmine.

Another good time to visit is October, when the local talk of ‘Ottobrate’ which loosely translates as mild, sunny days in October. In winter there is rarely any snow in Rome and temperatures are usually around 13 degrees.

• A romantic weekend break
• Sightseeing
• Those who love walking around and taking in the atmosphere
• Learning all about Roman history and culture

• Those who are looking for peace and quiet away from the crowds
• Anyone not really interested in the art, culture and history

Italian Tourism – the official Italian Tourist Board website in English
Rome Info – a Rome-based website full of insider information and suggestions
Top 40 rated hotels in Rome – as selected by simonseeks.com

Rome is a city of romance, but also a city that will appeal to anyone hungry for sightseeing, good food and shopping too, with ancient sights, monuments and things to see on every corner.