When it comes to La Dolce Vita, there is no street in Rome which epitomizes the concept of the ‘good life’ like Via Veneto. Not only did this fashionable stretch of road actually feature in the Fellini classic, but the avenue is indeed one of the Italian capital’s most sought after addresses. Flanked by some of the city’s most prestigious hotels, embassies, boutiques and eateries, Via Veneto is a vibrant hub of activity and one of Rome’s most historical arteries. Book your holiday rental apartment on trendy Via Veneto and indulge in one of Rome’s most interesting walking tours. For a relaxing start to your tour, head to Villa Borghese Gardens on the northern edge of Via Veneto. One of Rome’s largest natural havens, Villa Borghese is a complex of perfectly manicured English style gardens, museums and pavilions, while also being home to Rome’s Modern Art Museum and the Medici Villa. While it may take you the good part of a week to see it all, we suggest you come early in the morning to enjoy the spectacular views of Rome from the Pincio Hill, on the southern end of the park, and keep returning every day to explore it at ...

The Spanish Steps, in Rome’s city centre, are quite possibly the most famous stairs in the world and certainly one of Rome’s most treasured landmarks. The impressive sight of 138-step passage joining Piazza di Spagna and the Trinita’ dei Monti Church makes for one of the city’s best photographic opportunities; the views of Rome from the ground of the church are simply breathtaking. But the Spanish Steps represent more than just a stairway to heaven. Beautifully maintained, and adorned with colourful fresh flowers, the Spanish Steps are the city’s best lunch spot! Grabbing a tasty panino nearby and spending some time doing what locals do best (see and be seen) makes for a splendid afternoon indeed. Book your holiday rental apartment near the Spanish Steps and come be in the heart of Roman action. Trinita’ dei Monti Church In case you need a reason to climb up the seemingly endless Spanish Steps, the Trinita’ dei Monti Church would have to be it! This intricately adorned church offers a lot more than just stunning views of Rome, and represents the area’s multi-national history in beautiful form. This land used to be owned by the Kingdom of France, and it was donated to a group of ...

Sitting snugly between the Vatican City and the Borgo suburbs of Rome, Trastevere is one of the city’s most ancient areas and considered by many to be one of the few remaining authentic nooks of the Italian capital. Trendy and avant-garde yet exuding an unmistakable old-school charm, Trastevere is a brilliant accommodation choice for any visitor wanting to experience the more authentic side of Rome as well as have access to its most prized attractions. Wonderfully close to the Vatican City, the Colosseum and other innumerable gems, as well as being home to some of the city’s most ancient ruins, Trastevere is best known for its vibrant Saturday flea market and the breathtaking views its hilltop location gifts. The suburb’s very multicultural past, and long-held cultural importance, has also ensured it remains one of the most eclectic parts of Rome, and home to some of the best ethnic eateries and flea markets in the entire city. Want a taste of all that Rome has to offer on your next vacation? Then do yourself a favour: book your vacation rental apartment in Trastevere and experience the true essence of Roman life. The area of modern-day Trastevere has been inhabited for thousands of ...

While exploring the Pantheon area on your next Roman holiday, you may well discover that each and every restaurant claims to be the most ‘authentic’ in the city. Could that be? Well, yes indeed, Italians take their cuisine very seriously, and Rome in particular boasts quite delectable and unique specialities; yet one should be a little wary of the dreaded tourist traps. Restaurants all over the world are renowned for cutting corners when serving foreigners, and sometimes the Italians do so with glee. But don’t despair, help is at hand! Book an apartment in Rome near the Pantheon and you will not only have the best of the city’s attractions right at your door step, but you’ll also be able to visit the following three gastronomic gems. Tried and tested (oh no really, it was our pleasure), all three tick our imperative list: welcoming atmosphere, great service and delectable food at reasonable prices. So as they say “When in Rome...” go ahead and eat your heart out! Da Fortunato Al Pantheon, Via del Pantheon 55 Considered to be the favoured ‘local’ of Rome’s most colourful personalities (and that’s just the politicians), Da Fortunato is an excellent choice if great food, ambience and ...

They may look almost comical, with their MC Hammer pants, enormous shoulder pads, fluffy hats and brightly coloured uniforms; but the Vatican’s Swiss Guards demand some serious respect, thank you very much. Once used to guard prominent Royal Courts, mercenaries hailing from Switzerland had a notorious reputation for fierce loyalty, optimal combating skills and unequalled discipline. While many Swiss Guards regiments existed in Europe since the mid-15th century, the Papal Order is the only one still in existence. They may not look it, but the guards all visitors photograph on their Rome vacation are mean, lean, protective machines! Book your holiday rental apartment near the Vatican in Rome and come discover the illustrious and intriguing history of the most revered bodyguards in Italy. Once upon a time... Many, many moons ago (506 to be exact) Pope Julius II invited a group of renowned Swiss mercenaries to act as a kind of Papal army. Some may wonder what on earth the Vatican would need an army for, but let’s not forget that the correct name of the old Roman Empire was actually the Holy Roman Empire. The church has been at the forefront of battles (over land, subjects and so on) since its ...

[pinit]Located right in the heart of Rome, Campo De’ Fiori Square is one of the city’s most beloved attractions. Boasting an effervescent and romantic character, it attracts locals and tourists alike with its bustling morning markets, daytime sightseeing and evening entertainment. Book an accommodation in Campo de Fiori and make your Roman holiday a truly authentic experience. Whilst Rome is renowned for being home to some of our world’s most ancient sites, this particular plaza is actually one of the city’s ‘newest’ additions. This area was only developed in the mid 1400s when an order was made, under the guidance of Pope Callistus III, to pave the flowery meadow area between the Theatre of Pompeii and the River Tiber. The ensuing suburb, Campo de’ Fiori (meaning field of flowers in Italian) was born, and soon became one of the city’s most thriving merchant areas. Horse sellers and local produce growers convened to sell and trade goods and, six centuries later, it’s wonderful to see that not much has changed. Campo dei Fiori quickly became one of Rome’s most prosperous place, and an important route to the Vatican. Some of the city’s most prominent historical figures were constant fixtures and locals, ...

Rome, the Italian capital, ranks as one of the most visited cities in the world. The tourist attractions here are almost endless, and filling your much-anticipated vacation days with sightseeing, eating, museum-hopping, more eating and Rome shopping will certainly make for an unforgettable holiday. When looking for Rome apartments, look no further than the area around the Vatican City. The attractions here are excellent, but finding something to see or do which isn’t restricted by Papal walls may be a little more challenging. To this end, we’ve compiled a short list of the very best things to see and do around the Vatican area, just to help you keep your vacation varied. So put on some comfy shoes, grab a map and have yourself a bellissima vacanza! Castel Sant’Angelo Originally built by Emperor Hadryan as a mausoleum for his family, Castel Sant’Angelo is an ancient Roman ruin and an absolutely gorgeous place to retire to for an afternoon of peace and quiet. Located merely 500m east of Piazza Pio XII, this amazing castle lies on the shores of the Tiber River and served as a Papal fortress from the beginning of the first millennia. Various remains of succeeding Roman emperors were buried here, ...

The city of Rome has many attractions and sites that individual would justify a trip to the Italian capital. There is so much to see and do in Rome, that the choice of how best to spend your time in the city, can actually be hard. With attractions which include the stunning Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and the market in Piazza Navona, what are the must see places in Rome? One place I would always highly recommend is the Vatican and its museums. The museums within Vatican City are a collection of some of the finest art displays and collections in the world, with works of art built up throughout the centuries by the Catholic Church. Founded in the early 16th century as a collection of sculptures gathered by Pope Julius II, the pope opened the collections of art and the palaces to the public, promoting an understanding and knowledge of the history and culture. Today the Vatican Museums are a collection of various museums and galleries, visited by more than 4 million people from all over the world. They began as an entity under the Popes Clement XIV and Pius VI between 1769 and 1799, with the Pio-Clementine ...

As the sun rises on Sunday, vendors from all over the local area set up stall in Porta Portese Flea Market, which is in the Trastevere area of Rome. It is a place where bargains can be found and when visiting Rome this is an excellent way to sample the local culture first hand. This flea market sells everything you can possibly imagine. It has a beautiful antique section, selling brash brass and noisy clocks. You can find 18th century paintings, capturing local imagery from times that have long gone by. There is something distinctly Italian about the whole experience. You can see the passion and determination in the eyes of the vendors. Clothes are for sale everywhere. The smell of Italian leather washes over you as you make your way through alleys of colourful bargains. This is an ideal place to buy gifts for loved ones whilst staying in Rome. A word of warning here. Whilst the The Porta Portese Flea Market is generally a safe place to be, pick pockets work on Sunday’s too, so it is our recommendation that you keep your valuable possessions in a safe place at all times. So hold on tightly to your wallet and ...

The Piazza Navona is a very popular area for families to visit, especially if you are travelling with children as there are several toy stores in this area. You will be able to find all sorts of toys from stuffed animals to miniature Italian sports cars and unique wind up toys. The kids will surely appreciate coming home to your Rome holiday rental and playing with their new toys! 1. Al Sogno (Piazza Navona, 53) – The name Al Sogno literally means “In a Dream” and this cosy little store definitely lives up to its name. Although the store is a bit small, people seldom notice this because of the large number of interesting toys that line its shelves. 2. Città del Sole (Via Della Scrofa, 65) – This shop is one of the most popular toy stores in all of Rome and is known to sell both toys and children’s books. Città del Sole’s extensive selection of European toys is sure to be particularly appealing to young children; the store is also popular with older children and even adults, as it has a good collection of puzzles, gadgets, games and educational toys. 3. Bertè (Piazza Navona 108) – This toy store is ...