It remains the …eternal city!
You can always find a great deal on Italy holidays: the ideal destination for couples, family and groups of friends. And when it comes to European cities, few can measure up to the beauty and romance of Rome, with its delicious food, breath-taking monuments and stunning Baroque architecture.
Known as The Eternal City, Rome is steeped in history, dating back 2,500 years. One of its most famous sites is the majestic Colosseum built in 80AD, which was the setting for many of Ancient Rome’s gory gladiatorial battles. And no visit to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican City, where official guided tours can take you around its many religious landmarks. Visitors can’t afford to miss the splendour of the restored Sistine Chapel, whose iconic ceiling was painted by Michelangelo in the 1500s. There is also St. Peter’s Basilica, regarded as the holiest of Catholic sites and which has largest interior of any Christian church. And outside, the magnificent Vatican Gardens are great to explore on a sunny afternoon.
Those who follow fashion religiously will love the city’s famous street Via Condotti, boasting a great number of luxury boutiques, which of course includes the cream of Italian designers. The street is also home to the most famous café in Rome, Antico Caffé Greco, which has attracted a number of famous poets and artists since it was built in 1760. Via Condotti begins at another of Rome’s cultural hotspots: the Spanish Steps. Built in the 1700s, it’s the widest stairway in Europe and acts as a central meeting place for tourists and citizens alike.
Art lovers will enjoy exploring Rome’s many galleries, such as the Borghese Gallery (which displays works by Italy’s famous painter Raphael) Colonna Gallery and Palazzo Altemps. And if you find yourself at a loose end, it’s nice just to wander among the city’s Baroque buildings, pretending to be Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, which is enough to put anyone in a romantic mood. And speaking of romance, the city’s famous Trevi Fountain – 26 metres wide and 20 metres high – is a truly breath taking sight not to be missed (and is the scene of many proposals).
Rome hotels are naturally among the most opulent in the world. At the luxury end of the scale is The Hotel Majestic Roma, a five star boutique hotel often frequented by celebrities and based close to the fashionable Via Condotti. Located in this same stylish district is the plush Hotel Regina Baglioni which boasts stunning Art Deco furnishings. For those on a budget, the two star Adriatic hotel is clean and spacious and conveniently situated near to the Vatican City. And the newly opened XX Settembre offers fantastic views of Rome’s picturesque monuments together with elegantly furnished rooms.
So why not take the trip of a lifetime and discover everything this beautiful, majestic city has to offer.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
