Rome

With its abundance of architectural and artistic riches, Rome has thousands and thousands of years of history. With a heady mix of haunting ruins, awe-inspiring art and vibrant street life, Italy’s hot-blooded capital is one of the world’s most romantic and inspiring cities. Nicknamed the Eternal City, Italy’s vibrant capital lives in the present, but no other city on earth evokes its past so powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here.

Few cities can rival Rome's astonishing artistic heritage. Throughout history, the city has starred in the great upheavals of Western art, drawing the top artists of the day and inspiring them to push the boundaries of creative achievement. The result is a city awash with priceless treasures. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome like the Colosseum, the Palazzo Farnese, an important High Renaissance palace, Baroque fountains such as the Trevi fountain, and the treasures of the Vatican City such as St Peter’s Basilica vie for your attention in this open-air museum.

A trip to Rome is as much about lapping up the dolce vita lifestyle as gorging on art and culture. Idling around picturesque streets, whiling away hours at streetside cafes, people-watching on pretty piazzas – these are all an integral part of the Roman experience. The tempo rises as the heat of the day gives way to the evening cool and the fashionably dressed aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks) crowd descends on the city's bars and cafes.

Things to do

VIP Ancient Rome Tour

Enjoy an exciting and engaging experience visiting the iconic Colosseum and exploring not only the arena but the underground and third level as well, which is closed to the general public with your personal English-speaking guide who will enable you to skip the long lines. Thereafter, explore Palantine Hill, the Roman Forum and the Farnese Gardens.

Tour of the Vatican City

Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Vatican with a private guide to explain its intriguing history while you view magnificent works by the greats, such as Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring work on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling and the Dome and Pieta in St. Peter’s Basilica. Should you wish this tour can also be offered after hours with doors opened especially for you.

Best of Rome City Tour

Go on an enchanting journey through the historic cobbled streets of the eternal city with a private English-speaking guide. See Emporer Trajan’s private Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the beautiful Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and more.

Tour to Hadrian’s Villa & Villa d’Este

Escape the bustle of the city and discover the beauty of Tivoli with a visit to its two majestic grand villas – the architectural wonder of the 2nd-century ruins of Hadrian’s Villa, and the beautifully grand villa, Villa d’Este, one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture and the Italian Renaissance garden, both UNESCO World Heritage sights, with you own private English-speaking driver and guide.

Cuisine

Allow us to reserve a private table for you at a restaurant or club of your choice subject to availability. Enjoy the finest of dining at the spectacular Ristorante Il Pagliaccio, La Pergola or Ristorante Pastificio San Lorenzo and experience exclusive nightlife at La Maison or Jackie O.

Weather

Rome’s weather varies from very hot in the summer to distinctly cool in the winter, and rather damp in the autumn. However, the weather is rarely severe or disruptive, and so your preferred season for visiting Rome will largely depend on what you want to get from your holiday.

Holy Week and Spring

Holy week and Easter are extremely busy times in Rome, as large crowds are drawn to the Vatican and the Holy See. Although it can be hectic and expensive, this is an excellent time to visit to see Rome at its vibrant best.

Temperatures in March and April tend to be a comfortable 15-18°C but it can rain on as many as 1 in 3 days, so take a lightweight jacket or an umbrella. As the spring flowers bloom, Rome’s parks become especially beautiful, and it’s often the perfect weather for picnics.

High summer in Rome

Guidebooks will often tell you to avoid Rome in August, for several reasons. Firstly, the heat – temperatures can reach 30°C, but it will feel hotter because of the urban heat effect. Secondly because Romans themselves tend to desert the city, leading to a somewhat artificial and touristy experience.

Having said that, prices tend to be lower in high summer, and there are many outdoor events and cultural experiences to enjoy. There will still be crowds, but they’ll be mostly foreign visitors rather than locals.

Gastronomic Delights

If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, autumn is the best time to visit Rome. As the harvest comes in, the restaurants come to life and the local markets team with mushrooms, truffles and other delicacies.

The weather in Rome during the autumn months can be quite wet, with around 4 inches of rain each month, and rain every few days on average. However, temperatures are still pleasantly mild and the historic sites are less crowded, so this is definitely an appealing time of year for your Roman visit.

A Roman Christmas

December is a fascinating time of year to visit Rome, as the city’s Catholic and religious roots really shine. Christmas lights decorate the city and nativity scenes are everywhere. Outdoor cafes offer mulled wine and hot chocolate, and most of Rome’s sights and attractions remain open during the winter months. December temperatures range between 4 and 8°C, so much cooler than the rest of the year, and the rain continues every few days. Take a sweater and an umbrella, but don’t allow the weather to put you off discovering the delights of the Eternal City.