What to do and see on a visit to Rome for the day and where to stay in Lazio

Rome saw the first workings of democracy in the civilised world and it is this which also made Rome a world power with a legacy unmatched anywhere, which we can still marvel at today.

There are a number of reasons why people visit Rome which skews many lists of what to see and do. The major unique swing factor is religion which whilst obviously massively important isn't behind your average tourists reasoning although it does contribute to the prime splendours of the Eternal city.

The top five attractions in Rome

The Colosseum is undoubtedly the main landmark of Rome and the very fact that it is still standing is incredible in itself. Its sheer size is a surprise when you first see it for real and its original purpose casts a powerful shadow. Built in the first century AD when it was known as the Flavian Ampitheater, it rarely fails to impress and to a man visitors can't help but imagine what it would have been like to be in the boots of a gladiator in the middle of the crowd baying for blood.

The Pantheon from the outside looks like many other major city facades with a pretty fountain and charming square with outdoor cafes and restaurants but when you step inside it is truly something else. The light shaft which angles down from the hole in the magnificent domed roof onto the beautiful marble floor strikes you first followed by the beauty of the interior as a whole, very impressive, clean and in pristine condition, yet it is so old. Raphael and a number of Italian kings are buried here. Incredible that it is FREE of charge to visit.

The Roman Forum is breathtaking in its size and scale and can be quite puzzling unless you have some means of identifying what it is and was. Once you put the puzzle together you have ancient Rome, the capital of the Roman empire, stretching before you for as far as you can see, an absolutely incredible architectural site. It is a wonderful place to spend a half day wondering round but you really need to either do your research, take a guided tour or an audio guide, one thing is for sure, you will not be left underwhelmed. It is worth being organised with ticket purchase if going in high season as it gets busy and do take some water as it is a tad hot in the afternoon.

Saint Peters square (Piazza San Pietro), the Basilica and the Vatican city and the whole area from there down to the river Tiber are mightily impressive and even if you don't take a visit (which you should if you can) the spectacle is not to be missed, it is quite monumental. On certain days there is the papal audience though even when he is not there it can be busy, but still a cool place to hang around, surely one of the great squares of the world.

The Borghese gallery is a must see for the art orientated visitor to Rome. An opulent building and beautiful garden, inside you can enjoy works like Apolo and Daphne by the sculptor Bernini and canvasses by the painter Caravaggio whilst the audio guide gives you all the explanation you need. It is worth purchasing tickets ahead if visiting in peak season as this is a very popular classic art collection museum and there is a limit to the number of people allowed in at any one time.

Normally the Piazza di Trevi would be in this list but it is undergoing repairs at the moment.

You can rent a self catering holiday villa in Lazio in the likes of Viterbo, Bracciano and Castel Gandolfo from where you can easily visit Rome for a day or more and see for yourself what the emperor Augustus meant when he said "I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble". Our holiday properties are located amidst beautiful countryside and you have large freshwater lakes and seaside beaches nearby as well.

The villa Feroni is located by the lake in Bracciano, it sleeps 8 people and costs 3665€ per week. You can catch a regular half hour train service to Rome centre from Bracciano.

Our range of houses in the vicinity of Rome is longstanding, as is our agency. We have built our reputation on good service, reliability and impartial advice, so you can trust us with your holiday near Rome.

The full range of villas in Lazio is featured on the Villas du Monde - Villas Worldwide website along with our full range of holiday houses in Italy, we look forward to hearing from you and answering all your question on travelling to Italy and what to see and do.