Admiring the ancient ruins, eating gelato on the Spanish Steps or throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain - however you choose to spend your time, the energy and theater of Rome ensures there’s never a dull moment.
Roman antiquities and attractions
Famous for its legendary architecture, you can easily fill your days in Rome touring the local relics and ruins. First stop, the Colosseum – a stone amphitheater built in the 1st Century AD, which stands proudly in the center of the city. Just around the corner, you’ll find the Roman Forum ruins, set against the backdrop of Palatine Hill.
A mile north, you’ll find The Pantheon – another stunning example of preserved Roman ambition. Constructed over 2000 years ago this Roman temple, complete with Corinthian columns and a colossal domed roof, is a humbling sight.
From the Romans to the Renaissance, continue your tour of beautiful buildings by venturing inside the Vatican City. This is an independent country – the smallest in the world - and home of the Pope.
You’ll need special passes to access the country freely, however you can steal a look inside St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with tickets bought on the day. Painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, these buildings are widely recognized as two of the greatest Renaissance masterpieces in the world.
Feast in Rome
The Italian passion for cuisine pumps through the veins of the city, so you’re never far away from a fresh plate of pasta or a hand-tossed pizza. Pull up a chair at any of the restaurants and cafes across the city for an authentic Italian feast – simply follow the smell of the pizza oven. Pizzas here are thinner-crusted than the Neapolitan originals, but still delicious.
On the eastern banks of the meandering river, the cobbled streets and squares of Trastevere serve up something really special. From traditional osterias to gelato bars, treat your taste buds to the whole-hearted Italian experience in the al fresco setting of this friendly neighborhood.
Ashes to ashes
Just over 20 miles east of Rome, you’ll find the town of Tivoli. The splendid Villa d'Este – a celebration of Renaissance art and culture – is the centerpiece, with lush gardens, romantic buildings and grandiose fountains enchanting all who come to visit.
For a slightly longer trip, drive on the E45 southbound to Pompeii. Once a prosperous market town, Pompeii was devastated in 79 AD by a violent eruption from nearby Mount Vesuvius.
The city was buried under nearly 20 feet of volcanic ash, and lay undiscovered until the nineteenth century. This historical goldmine is just over two and a half hours drive away from Rome, which means you can be wandering through the amazingly preserved streets by mid-morning.
Round off your Italian adventure with a leisurely trip back via the ancient Roman port of Ostia Antica. Explore the old streets, crumbling buildings and impressive mosaics of this sprawling area, and imagine what life must have been like in those ancient days. With car rental from Rome Fiumicino Airport, the riches of Rome and beyond are at your fingertips.
