Roman Holiday

The Pantheon is a well-preserved Roman monument with a famous unreinforced concrete dome. It is considered the forerunner of all modern places of worship and is a constant source of inspiration for architects.

The name comes from two Greek words pan, "everything" and teon "divine". Originally, the Pantheon was a small temple dedicated to all Roman gods. Built between 27 and 25 BC by the consul Agrippa, Prefect of the Emperor Augustus, the present building is the result of subsequent restructuring. In 80 AD, Domitian rebuilt it after a fire and thirty years later it was hit by lightning, caught fire again and was rebuilt by the Emperor Hadrian.

According to Roman legend, where it stands is the place where the founder of Rome, Romulus, at his death was seized by an eagle and taken off into the skies with the Gods.

The Flavius amphitheatre is the biggest and most imposing in the Roman world and is known as the Colosseum. It was introduced by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavia family and was opened by his son Titus in 80 AD.

The original Colosseum was white and covered in travertine stone slabs. Elliptic in shape in order to hold more spectators, it had four floors, the first three with eighty arches each, while the arches on the second and third floors were decorated with huge statues.

The amphitheatre could hold up to seventy thousand spectators. The tiers of seats were inclined to enable people to get a perfect view from wherever they sat. Entry was free for all Roman citizens, but areas were divided according to social status. The nearer you were to the arena the higher your social status.

In the Middle Ages, when no longer in use, the Colosseum was transformed into an enormous marble, lead and iron quarry used by Popes to build Barberini Palace, Piazza Venezia and St. Peter's. The holes still seen in many columns are the holes made to extract the lead and iron used by the Romans for the nails inside the marble blocks.

After the VI century with the Empire's decline, the Colosseum fell into disuse and its walls housed confraternities, hospitals, hermits and a cemetery. Threatened with demolition, it was declared a sacred monument dedicated to the Passion of Christ by Benedict XIV, placing a cross on a pedestal as a symbol of the sufferings of all Christian martyrs. It became an object of worship for Christians and was protected from further destruction and ruin.

From the Middle Ages onwards, the Colosseum has been one of Rome's and the world's greatest marvels attracting many visitors. What we see now is a skeleton of what was once the greatest arena in the ancient world.

Many prestigious architects and artists of the time were involved with the construction of St. Peter's, but it was Donato Bramante and then Michelangelo who created the revolutionary construction. Bramante built the immense central body in the form of a Greek cross held up by four gigantic pillars. Michelangelo was the designer of the 'cuppolone', or the enormous dome and he was also responsible for the majestic exterior with its gigantic columns crowned by a horizontal fascia. It was Carlo Maderno who lengthened the central nave of the church and erected the monumental façade. An imposing construction that was as big as a football field and as high as a thirteen-storey building, crowned with the colossal statues of Jesus, Giovanni Battista and the apostles.

From the portico, you enter the Basilica through five heavy bronze doors; the one on the far right is called the "Porta Santa" which is only opened during the jubilee year. Inside, the effect is truly impressive - you have the sensation of finding yourself in an empty void. With its vast size, it is difficult to work out the true scale of the objects inside.

St. Peter's is also a museum full of priceless works of art. The exterior consists of magnificent marble columns by Bernini that enfold the surrounding square in a spectacular and metaphorical embrace. The magnificence and sacredness of this extraordinary place, leaves you feeling full of awe.

The Trevi Fountain is an astonishing work of art and is a successful example of Baroque art with its soft, natural lines and fantasy creatures. The fountain is a jewel of water and stone that is nestled between the palaces of the historic centre of the city.

The central feature of the monument is a chariot in the shape of a shell, drawn by seahorses with Triton as their guide. Oceanus stands before the enormous centre and to the side are the statues of Abundance and Salubrity. Natural and artificial forms merge together in a representation of rocks and vegetation that run along the foundation of the palace and around the borders of the pool representing the sea.

The Trevi Fountain has an ancient history with its origins going back to Roman times when it was the terminal point of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct commissioned by Augustus, which was used to provide water for the thermal baths. The water that flows here has two names, Virgin Waters and Trevi. The first refers to an ancient legend about a young Roman girl who showed the source of the spring to thirsty soldiers, whereas Trevi is derived from the old name for the area, which was Trebium.

In the eighteenth century, Pope Clement XII decided to restore the Trevi district and begin work on the fountain, as we know it today. It took three centuries to complete and is often attributed to Bernini, but for the most part it is the work of the Roman architect Nicola Salvi, who took twenty years to complete it.

Wandering through Rome's warren of ancient streets, it's just a matter of time before you stumble across a Piazza with an enchanting square with a Renaissance fountain, an ornate church or a sun-drenched courtyard. And wander in the right direction and its shops will be just as rewarding.

Via Del Corso and Via Condotti are the most famous destinations, with their slick boutiques dedicated to the latest in Italian couture. Or you may be seeking something less obvious than global labels such as Prada or Gucci. If so, head for the unisex fashion stores Gente on Via Frattina 69 or Degli Effetti in Piazza Capranica 75, 79 and 93.

For a more authentically Roman shopping experience, head for Trastevere known for its artisan workshops and traditional delis, which tend to stay open late and Testaccio with its trendy boutiques.

If you prefer to look around for vintage pieces, visit the stalls at the back of the market on Via Sannio, and if old prints and books are your passion, go to the market on Largo della Fontanella di Borghese.

Rome's dining scene is becoming more fashionable by the week, but it would be a shame to miss out on a simple dish of spaghetti all'amatriciana (pasta with pancetta, tomatoes, onions and pecorino) at a traditional trattoria such as L’Osteria del Tempo Perso on Via Dell' Oca 43. If you need a meal break around Centro Storico, worth a look is Il Forno di Campo de’ Fiori for a slice of pizza bianca (bread seasoned with olive oil, rosemary and sea salt). Good, affordable set lunches are served at Boccondivino Toscana. Papà Baccus is known for its contemporary Tuscan cuisine and Arancia Blu offers great vegetarian fare.

For a glass of wine mid-shopping, we suggest Shaki or for a romantic glass of wine, swing by Piazza Navona and visit Bar della Pace. If your preference is to kick back with thirtysomethings, head for BarBar.

The VIP area at lounge bar La Maison draws the beautiful people, but if you are looking for club land you need to go to Ostiense, where Goa and La Saponeria pull in the coolest crowds.

Time out will help you cope with Rome’s cultural assault. In the Embassy district, Dabliù Parioli boasts technogym machines, an aqua gym, beauty salon, Thermarium spa zone with a sauna, Turkish bath and hydro massage. The Roman Sport Centre in Villa Borghese park has similar facilities as well as squash courts. The day spa Salus per Aquam is highly recommended and has many treatments tailored for couples.

After breakfast at La Casa del Caffe' Tazza d'Oro and a look inside the Pantheon, head for Piazza del Campidoglio and Capitoline Hill, the birth place of Rome created by Michelangelo. From here, visit the Roman Forum then walk east on Via dei Fori Imperiali taking in the remains of the Imperial Fora and the Colosseum. Finally, climb up to the terraces of the marble Vittoriano monument where you will see breathtaking views of the city. After lunch at the famous restaurant Orso 80 on via Dell'Orso 33, stroll around Piazza Navona. Enjoy a pleasant walk to Via Del Tritone and go to Il Gelato Di San Crispino for the best ice cream in Rome and savour it sitting in front of the Trevi Fountain. Check out Stadio dei Marmi commissioned by Mussolini in the early 1930's. Each of the 60 over sized stone nudes represents both a sport and a province of Italy. The aim was to cultivate a strong, healthy Italian youth. When hunger sets in, head to Trastevere, where you will find the Glass Hostaria, known for serving fresh seasonal cuisine with French and Italian influences. There are more then 400 Italian wines to choose from on the list. Buon Appetite!

If you are considering a day trip, abandon the idea of renting a car and let Roman Holiday organize a car, chauffeur and local guide for you instead. Head to 16th century pleasure palace Villa d’Este and the ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s sumptuous retreat in Tivoli for a great picnic spot out of town. Also, take a tour of the family run vineyards of Frascati.

On hot days, head for Trevignano or Anguillara beside Lake Bracciano to have a swim, stock up on wine at Vino e Camino or to eat at Chalet del Lago. For a more laid back option, head to John Paul Getty’s luxurious former retreat La Posta Vecchia with its sweeping seascapes and landscaped gardens or Il Pellicano for good food and some relaxing sunbathing.