Rome

Main intercontinental gateway; the Leonardo Express train reaches Roma Termini in about 32 minutes

Smaller airport used mainly by European low cost carriers and private aviation

The tangle of lanes around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori puts the major sights on your doorstep. Lively by day and atmospheric at night.

Ivy draped facades, cobbled alleys and a strong neighbourhood spirit across the Tiber. Evenings here are animated and convivial.

A village feel just behind the Imperial Forums, with independent boutiques, wine bars and easy access to the Colosseum.

Leafy, residential and remarkably quiet, with orange gardens and views over the city. A peaceful retreat close to the Circus Maximus.

Elegant residential streets bordering Rome's great landscaped park, close to the Galleria Borghese and Via Veneto.

Villas set among pines and Roman tombs along the ancient Appian Way, a short drive from the centre yet feeling like countryside.

Positions are approximate: the exact address is shared once your stay is confirmed.

The heart of ancient Rome, best seen with an expert guide who can bring the ruins to life. Timed entry tickets should be reserved well ahead.

Nearly two millennia old, its unreinforced concrete dome still astonishes architects. A small entry ticket has been required since 2023.

One of the world's greatest art collections, ending beneath Michelangelo's ceiling. Early or private access avoids the densest crowds.

Bernini's colonnade embraces the piazza while the basilica holds Michelangelo's Pietà. The climb to the dome repays the effort with a sweeping view.

An intimate villa museum where Bernini's marble sculptures seem to breathe. Visits are by advance reservation only, in timed slots.

Rome's most theatrical fountain, best seen early in the morning. Since February 2026 a small ticket is required to approach the basin.

Vast imperial bath complex whose scale is still overwhelming, and in summer the backdrop to open air opera.

A Baroque oval built on the footprint of an ancient stadium, framed by Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Small group or private openings allow the Sistine Chapel to be seen in rare quiet.

A playful way to cover the hills and viewpoints, from the Aventine keyhole to the Janiculum terrace.

Learn the four classic pastas with a chef in a private home or villa kitchen, then sit down to eat them.

Shop with a local guide for artichokes, cheese and cured meats, tasting as you go.

Ride on ancient basalt paving past catacombs and aqueducts in the Appia Antica park.

Visit bookbinders, framers and leather craftsmen still working in the lanes around Via dei Coronari and Via Giulia.

Rome's green lung, with a boating lake, shaded avenues and the Pincio terrace overlooking Piazza del Popolo.

A gentle walk up from Trastevere leads to one of the finest panoramas of the city's domes.

Miles of ancient road, pine trees and ruins, ideal for walking or cycling on a Sunday when part of the road is closed to traffic.

The city's largest landscaped park, with lawns and pines for a long morning run or picnic.

For a swim, the whitewashed town of Sperlonga and its sandy beaches lie about 2 hours south by car.

What to eat

What to drink

Two UNESCO sites in one day: the fountains of Villa d'Este and Hadrian's vast villa below the town.

Rome's ancient port, with streets, mosaics and a theatre preserved in a peaceful pine setting.

Volcanic lakes, the papal town of Castel Gandolfo and porchetta in Ariccia.

A clifftop Umbrian town crowned by one of Italy's most spectacular cathedrals.

A tiny medieval village on an eroding tufa crag, reached on foot across a slender bridge.

Mild days, wisteria on old walls and artichokes on every menu make spring arguably the finest moment to visit. Easter week brings large crowds to the Vatican, so book early.

Hot and bright, with temperatures often above 30°C in July and August. Plan sightseeing early and late, and keep the afternoons for a pool or a shaded terrace.

Warm light, fewer queues and the new season's wine and olive oil make September to November especially rewarding.

Cool, often sunny and much quieter, with festive lights and nativity scenes in December. Museums are calmer, though some days bring rain.