Exploring the Vatican City  

Start your adventure from Vatican City, a walled 110-acre sovereign city-state within Rome. The Vatican Gardens are gardens within this walled area. The gardens were established in 1279 and have served as a retreat for introspection and meditation. Explore the Vatican Museums, located within Vatican City and host many exhibitions within several museum halls. 

Visit St. Peter's Square. In the 1600s, Bernini designed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The immense majesty of the Piazza and its surrounding columns was intended to awe worshippers. The square is accessible by the Ponte Sant'Angelo and the Via della Conciliazione.

After admiring the magnificent vistas of St Peter's Square, join the line to enter St Peter's Basilica, one of Christendom's holiest temples. 

It is worth going to the top of the dome (446 ft - 136 m tall) within the Basilica to obtain a bird's eye perspective of Rome and the Vatican City. The ascent is strenuous (mainly if you take the stairs), but it is also part of the attraction. 

Take the Conciliazione Via the Castel Sant'Angelo (Holy Angel Castle) and the Ponte Sant'Angelo, a Roman bridge considered one of the most stunning in Rome, which are both located on this street. The castle is now a museum that is well worth visiting.

Walk across the bridge and follow the directions to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, both of which are worth seeing. 

If there are still a few daylight hours left and you want to unwind, travel to Villa Borghese, one of Rome's most charming public parks. You can relax on the lawn or tour the grounds to see the lake and other structures. If you're travelling with kids, they'll enjoy this green spot.

 Nothing beats wandering through the city streets at night, taking in Rome's bustling atmosphere and stunning architecture.

Discover the imperial Rome  

Go to the Colosseum, Rome's most recognisable and famous landmark. The Flavian emperors built this magnificent stadium between 508 and 544 BC. Bullfights, gladiator conflicts, chariot racing, official events, and other public entertainment were held there. The arena saw its final gladiator fight when Emperor Theodosius banned all paganism and traditions. The theatre is still the world's largest and is a model for other theatres.

 If the wait is too lengthy, you can first visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. 

After viewing these three ancient ruins, proceed to Capitoline Hill, the most important of Ancient Rome's seven hills, located north of the Forum. The Capitoline Museums are located here. When you arrive at the Piazza del Campidoglio, planned and built by architect Michelangelo Buonarroti, don't miss the statue of Romulus and Remus, which is placed just beyond the plaza and is challenging to find.

Continue the left side of the street after taking the "Cordonata" stairs to Via del Teatro Marcello. You can get to Santa Maria in Cosmedin, where the Mouth of Truth is, in less than 10 minutes.

 After visiting the church, cross the Tiber, and you'll be in Trastevere, one of Rome's most lovely neighbourhoods. The ambience is realistic, and the restaurants are excellent and reasonably priced. 

Departure

Pack your bags and say goodbye to Italy!