Rome Hotels

Rome blends the old and new with charming little details you see on a daily basis — cosmopolitan cafes standing alongside medieval ruins and flashy sports cars breezing past the Colosseum! The streets can get very busy but it pays to visit this living museum to bear witness to some of the world's finest examples in arts, culture and design.

Attractions

Be prepared for an exhausting time exploring basilicas, ruins, palaces, museums and churches! The hub of all action during ancient Rome is the Forum. This was the venue of public debates in political, religious and social issues. It is within this area you will find the Pantheon, Palatine Hall, the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona. Not to forget, nearby is the Colloseum where echoes of bloody battles between gladiators resonate from its ruins. If you wish to be lucky in life or love or just a simple hope of returning to Rome, head to Quirinale and toss some coins into Trevi Fountain, the city's largest and most popular. Expect to join the swelling crowds of romantics waiting for their turn.

Some interesting highlights along the tourist path include: the Capuchin cemetery where bones are used to adorn the premises; Castel Sant' Angelo, a fortress/mausoleum which is accesible through one of the most astounding bridges in the world; and the Museo e Galleria Borghese, the grand dame of all private collections boasting the most important works in Roman history.

Across the Tiber river stands the smallest independent state, and the richest one at that. Vatican City is the home of opulence and power of the Catholic faith. There is a wealth of iconic art treasures and artefacts from every period housed in any of the numerous museums around St. Peter's Square. The Sistine Chapel where Michelangelo's immortal work remains the top attraction. Bustling Rome can be confusing and disorganised to some but discoveries found on every corner is worth all the chaos.

Events

RomaEuropa is a yearly international event featuring performances in dance, music and theatre. It is held towards the latter part of the year around September to November. October witnesses jazz musicians and comics lovers converge for two big celebrations, Roma Jazz Festival and Festival Romics. And in July, high fashion gives Rome its glamourous face as designers hold shows in the magnificent Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna. Summer also brings exciting events like Festa di Noantri filling Trastevere with craft markets, food fairs and outdoor theatrical performances. The north bank of Tiber River becomes a happening venue for outdoor sports and art exhibits throughout July.

Climate

• Winter (November to February) 10-16°C; occasionally overcast or rain, cold spells usually in January

• Spring (March to May) 13 - 18°C; weather starts to be warm and sunny

• Summer (June to August) 21 - 29°C; very hot especially in August, be wary of possible heatstroke

• Fall (September to October) 18 - 22°C; still pleasant but starts getting cooler and rainfall is heaviest