Rome Highlights

Rome is a growing city: a centre for commerce, culture, art, shopping and football, the Eternal City offers a wealth of architectural and artistic treasures which would take a lifetime to explore fully. It would be impossible to visit Rome without seeing the most obvious sights such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Spanish Steps, but so remarkable is this city, that it is possible to discover quite by accident other fascinating attractions while looking for something else.

Things to Do

The most central and famous of Rome's green spaces is but a few minutes away from our hotel. Popular with the Romans for rollerblading, cycling and scooters, all of which can be hired in the park, Villa Borghese is the perfect place for a picnic. It also has a boating lake, zoo, opera house and the charming Cinema dei Piccoli, showing children's films.

Also in the park, The Galleria Borghese has an interesting private art collection with Bernini's Apollo and Daphne sculpture, Titan's Sacred and Profane Love and a large number of Caravaggios. (open Tues to Sat)

Hotel Victoria Tip : for one of the most beautiful sunset views in Rome, head towards the edge of the park to the Piazzale Napoleone 1, which overlooks Piazza di Popolo.

The other major landmark close to the hotel is the Via Veneto. One of the most famous streets in Rome it was immortalised in the film ‘La Dolce Vita' in the paparazzi days of the 1960's. Today, Via Veneto is a quiet, tree lined winding street, famous for its open air cafes and fashionable shops. The infamous Café de Paris is another landmark on this glamorous avenue just a couple of blocks up from the American Embassy. Though a little more expensive it is worth it picking a table, early evening is best, to sip an espresso and watch the height of Roman fashion wander by.

On a more unusual note, in the vicinity of the Via Veneto is the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione. Interestingly the crypt contains the bones of 4,000 Capuchin monks, many of which are arranged in artistic designs.

The heart of the ancient city lies between the Capitoline, Palatine, Esquiline and Quirinal hills. Located here are the Colosseum, Roman and Imperial Fora. In addition to the 400 plus churches in Rome the obvious spiritual centre is The Vatican City and the Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museums). One of the most charming areas of the city with its medieval churches and small side streets can be found in Travastere. On Sundays the flea market draws tourists and locals alike.

Other popular must see sights are the Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Novona and Piazza de Spagna.