Rome is known as the 'Eternal City' and enjoys a uniquely iconic status amongst great European cities. The perfect mix of metropolitan style and historical sites, it is a great place to visit at almost any time of year.

Rome is the capital of Italy and its location almost in the centre of the peninsula makes it a great place to use as a base if you are planning on exploring other parts of Italy. There is also enough in the city, though, to make it a perfect place to visit in its own right. Whether you love food, history, art or sport, you can find something to thrill and delight you in Rome.

There are two and half millennia of history to explore for a start, along with some of the most thrilling and iconic architectural delights in Europe. The Coliseum is still an imposing and awe-inspiring stadium and it is easy to imagine it full of roaring crowds during the height of the Roman Empire. No Rome city breaks can ever be complete without a trip to see this monument.

Rome's original Forum, or town square, can also be visited and though much of it is ruins it is still an impressive sight. Other landmarks include the famous Trevi Fountain as well as the Spanish Steps and these really are sights that every visitor to Rome should make sure that they see. If touring all these historical locations makes you want some fresh air then you may want to see the park at the Villa Borghese. Rome's largest municipal park, this former vineyard contains several museums and monuments as well as having much green space.

For many people, the Vatican City will be a real highlight of their trip. There are a number of places where you can book tours of the Pope's home city. Most of these tours begin and end at St Peter's Basilica, which is another religious landmark which is well worth a visit.

Travelling further afield from the city, there are many delightful places to see. Umbria and Assisi can be reached either by car or public transport. If you want to visit the beach, then Ostia Lido and Pistia are ideal. Exploring Italy's rich culinary heritage is often best done in the delightful rural villages that you will find when driving into the countryside. Taking city breaks to Rome does not mean that you have to stay in the city all the time and getting away from the busy streets for a time can be refreshing and relaxing.

Rome is a great city to visit at any time of year, thanks to its climate and the sheer range of attractions that are on offer to visitors. Obviously, it is busier at times of high tourist activity, such as the months of high summer, but it is still a thrilling and interesting place, even when busy.

The best places to stay in Rome are in its plentiful city-centre hotels. That way, you can make the most of the good public-transport links to explore the city and enjoy what the local restaurants and bars can offer in terms of entertainment both during the day time and at night.

Weather

Rome has a hot, dry, Mediterranean climate. Its mild, humid winters make it pleasant to visit at any time of year. It is at it hottest in July and August, when temperatures can regularly reach highs of 30C plus.

Events

Important religious festivals are frequent and can shut the whole city down for several days. The Festa di Santa Francesca Romana is an interesting festival devoted to a nun who could reportedly be simultaneously in several places at once. Italian car manufacturers made her their patron saint and motorists can get their vehicles blessed at her church on March 9 each year.

Lovers of history and culture will enjoy the Settimana della Cultura, which takes place each spring. This is when museums and other state-owned properties and monuments open their doors to the public for free.

The ten-week Gay Village celebration runs from late June until September and is one of Italy's most colourful celebrations. The venue and precise nature of the events is usually confirmed close to the festival's starting date.

The Festa de Noantri is, at least nominally, dedicated to the Madonna del Carmine but in actual fact more closely resembles a celebration of the area's working-class origins. A fortnight of cultural events and celebrations usually concludes with a firework display at the end of July.

For autumn visitors, the Cinema Festa Internazionale di Roma is a highlight which takes place each October. Rome is famous as a city with a rich heritage of cinema and this festival, established in 2006, has helped to boost the Italian film industry.

If you are planning a trip to Rome this year and need some help, read our fact file below and use TravelSupermarket`s search tool to find the cheapest deals.