Rome is the capital of Italy and is situated on the lower Tiber river about 20 km (12 miles) from the Mediterranean Sea.  With a population of 2,546,807 and an area of 1290 km², it is also home to the Vatican City.  It is served by the International Airport at Fiumicino and there's also an airport to the south east - Ciampino.  The history of the city goes back nearly 2,800 years and it was the centre of ancient Rome.  The city has 2 public transport lines, most of which are handy for Rome's main sights.

Main Attractions:

• St Peters, Catholicism's most revered shrine, Piazza San Pietro
• Holy See (Vatican City) and the Vatican Museums, Città del Vaticano (entrance in Viale Vaticano)
• Castel Sant' Angelo and the beautiful Pont Sant' Angelo, Lungotevere Castello
• Pantheon with its exceptional dome, Piazza della Rotonda
• Forum, which was built over 900 years ago, entrances at Largo Romolo e Remo, Via del Foro Romano, and near the Arch of Titus on Via Sacra
• Museo e Galleria Borghese, one of Rome's favourite art museums, Piazzale Scipione Borghese
• Capitoline Hill with the piazza designed by Michelangelo
• Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Trevi
• Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Spagna) extend from Piazza di Spagna to Trinita dei Monti
• And some of Rome's most famous churches, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Pietro and San Sebastiano

Shopping:  With such famous Italian names as Giorgio Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Versace, Gianfranco Ferrè, Moschino, Trussardi, Mariella Burani and Roberto Cavalli, Rome must simply be the best place to shop when it comes to designer choice.  The main shops are near to piazza di Spagna with lots of the designer shops on Via De Condotti and Via del Babuino.

Nightlife:  There are restaurants serving international faire but it tends not to be of the same standard as other international cities, but of course Rome has gastronomic treats for the majority and once you've eaten Italian in Italy, nothing else will do.  Why not try the Jewish Ghetto which dates from 1555.  Today the area has a fantastic array of eateries with multi cultural flavours or the Trastevere which is an area close enough to the main attractions, but away from the masses.  If you prefer a later night out then try the Testaccio area for nightclubs. 

The city, it seems, has treasures around every corner and is a wonderful place to visit for either a weekend, short break or an extended stay.  There's nowhere else quite as magnificent and it has never looked more stunning than it does today.