Luxury Rome Holidays

Italy's Eternal City flaunts ancient ruins and fountain-studded piazzas

Rome

Italy’s capital is brimming with history – around practically every corner you’ll find a centuries-old church, a baroque fountain or a relic from Ancient Rome. The historic heart of the city (the centro storico) is simple to navigate on foot, so you can easily wander from the Pantheon to the Piazza Navona, or the Spanish Steps to the Santa Maria del Popolo Church.

Across the snaking Tiber River you’ve got Vatican City (home to the cavernous St. Peter’s Basilica, treasure-trove museums and the frescoed Sistine Chapel), plus the artsy neighbourhood of Trastevere, where cobbled lanes are lined with candlelit trattorias, ivy-draped townhouses and standing-room-only wine bars.

Pretty city parks like the Villa Borghese and Parco Savello are spot on for afternoons of relaxation – the former boasts a boating lake, sun-dappled lawns and a sculpture-filled museum, while the latter features a tree-studded terrace with standout views across the city.

Helen Lippe

Take the metro to the Colosseum - your first sight of it as you reach the top of the steps up from the station will take your breath away.

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Ellen Pickover

Enjoy a drink in Piazza Navona, but then head down one of the cobbled side streets for dinner. The restaurants are just as atmospheric (if not more) than those on the piazza, but with better-value menus and a more authentic feel.

Things to do in RomeAdmire the art in Vatican CitySet aside a day to visit this tiny city-state, home to the Roman Catholic Church. Spend the morning checking out the paintings and sculptures in the Vatican Museums (you’ll find the Sistine Chapel here, too), then head over to St. Peter’s Basilica, the biggest church in the world. Climb to the top of its dome and you’ll have widescreen views over Rome and the Vatican.

Things to do in RomeStep back in time at the ColosseumRome’s iconic ancient amphitheatre is just as impressive outside as in – but definitely still save time to explore the interior. You can marvel at the sheer scale of the arena and see the stone benches that spectators would cheer from. For a little extra, you can also book a tour of the Colosseum’s underground tunnels, where animals, gladiators and slaves would await their turn in the arena.

Things to do in RomeToss a coin into the Trevi FountainThe recently restored Trevi Fountain is a gleaming marble masterpiece carved onto the back of a grand palazzo. Head here early or late to enjoy it at its quietest, and don’t forget to throw a euro over your shoulder into the waters – supposedly it guarantees your return to the city.

Typical Costs

Bottle of beer

€5

Bus return

€3

Cup of coffee

€1-3

Glass of wine

€ 5

Main course

€12-20

Small souvenir

€5-20

Flight Information

Flights to Rome take around 2 hours 30 minutes.

Transfer Time

Transfer time from Fiumicino airport to Rome is approximately 45 minutes.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit Rome, but they can be crowded. Temperatures are usually in the low 20s – perfect for strolling and sightseeing. Summer is often sweltering (temperatures regularly creep up to 30 degrees), but is ideal for sunbathing in the city’s parks and dining al fresco in its fountain-studded piazzas. Winter is cooler and wetter, but much less busy.

Visa Information

British citizens do not currently require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

When you dine out in Italy, you will generally be charged a coperto (cover charge), which is for the bread, tablecloth, cutlery, etc. Tipping in Italy is not customary, but is always appreciated.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

Rome & Amalfi Coast

At a glance

Admire the Eternal City's ancient sights
Browse the boutiques of Via dei Condotti
Spend a week on the Amalfi Coast
Discover the chic island of Capri

11 days from £2299 per person

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Our pick of the top hotels in Rome

Every one of our hotels is handpicked and personally visited by our team

Baglioni Hotel Regina

Italian Cities, Rome

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Sina Bernini Bristol

Italian Cities, Rome

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Rome specialities One thing’s for sure – you won’t go hungry in Rome. Home-grown dishes include spaghetti carbonara (traditionally made without the cream, but with plenty of local pecorino cheese), pizza bianca (a foccacia-like base brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and rosemary) and quinto quarto (offal – not for the faint-hearted). Artichokes are also a big deal here – they’ve even got special protected status – and are usually served either fried or slow-cooked.

Luxury Rome Holidays

Rome

Helen Lippe

Ellen Pickover

Rome & Amalfi Coast

Baglioni Hotel Regina

Sina Bernini Bristol

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