Rome

Rome's impressive open air museum, The Forum, has a collection of Roman remains from the days of Caesar‘s temples. The grandeur is still evocative and it's easy to become immersed in the marble ruins imagining life as it must have been. The Colosseum nearby was started in AD 72, and held its last event in AD 523. 6,000 spectators could fit in to watch the gladiators fighting or the wild animals being killed, or best of all, the Christian martyrs being ripped to death. Today nothing quite as dangerous takes place there, concerts and plays are the main attractions.

Once the capital of the ancient world, The Campidoglio, overlooking the Forum and Colosseum, was the centre of religious life in Rome, and was designed by Michelangelo. The Vatican City, built over the tomb of St. Peter, is a city within a city. Inside is the Sistine Chapel and collections of Classical and Renaissance art. The Trevi Fountain is an 18th Century Bacchanalian work of art where you must throw coins in for good luck.

For entertainment there are open air concerts in the summer, wine bars and trendy restaurants. Decide which area you want to stay in and it is possible to find all levels of accommodation. Rome is small enough for relaxed sightseeing, and is easy to get around on foot. Scooters can be hired and cars are expensive to rent.

Rome is an expensive city, but leather goods are usually good value. The oldest market is held on Campo dei Fiori.