Apartment Rosa enjoys a wonderfully central location in the heart of the Vatican City, between the Tiber River and the lively Piazza del Popolo. Though you can walk to plenty of Rome’s treasures, the apartment is very conveniently located near a subway. It is a brilliant spot to explore the city’s haunting ruins, giant monuments, joyful piazzas, and fabulous collections. You will gorge on art and culture, shop until your drop and return home with bellies full of delicious feasts.
Rome is a fantastic city where you can walk for miles never tiring of endless mesmerising architecture, people-watch on pretty piazzas and while away some hours resting your feet at charming streetside cafes and trattorias. The Villa Borghese Gardens are just the other side of the apartment from the river, close to the Spanish Steps. The gardens cover an area of one hundred and ninety-eight acres, having been developed in 1606 by Cardinal Scipione Borghese who wanted to turn his former vineyard into the most extensive gardens built in Rome. It is lovely to have this beautiful open space so close to the apartment.
Within this city of extraordinary beauty, top gems include the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Its tightly packed warren of cobbled alleyways are sprinkled with Renaissance palaces, Baroque piazzas, boutiques, cafes, trattorias and trendy bars with market traders and street artists working in its bustling squares. You will find museums, galleries and churches full of the works of Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Bernini and other master artists.
The Jewish Ghetto is a wonderfully atmospheric neighbourhood brimming with romantic corners and kosher trattorias. Rome’s best unsung art museum is at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme and some of the trendiest bars are nestled in the fashionable Monti district. On the banks of the Tiber, the once working-class area Testaccio is a foodie hotspot and rising above it, the Aventino hill boasts several wonderful medieval churches and a keyhole view of St Peter’s dome.
The Vatican, the world’s smallest sovereign state, sits over the river from Rome’s historic centre. It offers some of Italy’s most revered artworks, more than one hundred acres of stunning Vatican gardens and the Palazzo Apostolico, the palace that is the Pope’s official residence. St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and the most important building in Christendom. It is a jewel within the Vatican City from where Popes have spread the word of God throughout the world. You can visit the church treasures in the Vatican Museums, with the famous Sistine Chapel enjoying the frescoes of Michelangelo, one of the major highlights. With over nine hundred churches, four papal basilicas and seven pilgrimage churches, there is no other city in the world so representative of the Catholic faith.
The Colosseum is magical at night. This enormous amphitheatre is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. The Pantheon is the best-preserved building from Roman times, now enjoying a special roof opening. During the time of the Roman Empire, the Roman Forum was its seat of power. The Trevi Fountain is probably the most famous fountain in the world.
No other city can match Rome’s magical blend of cultural, religious, historic, and artistic attractions. It is also a brilliant place to shop and eat and you will definitely want to return!
The Region
Rome, the eternal city, is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends a rich tapestry of history, culture, and architecture. Nestled in the heart of Italy, this enchanting metropolis boasts an impressive array of attractions and activities that cater to every traveller’s interests. With its timeless charm and iconic landmarks, Rome is a city that has eternally captured the hearts of tourists from around the world.
