The Vatican
The Catholic Holy See has its own country, Vatican City, in the centre of Rome, its collection of artefacts from the history of Christianity making it well worth a visit. St Peter's Basilica is the most important church for Catholics around the world, in which the Pope holds mass every Sunday, and at which millions of pilgrimages end every year. The Vatican museum itself is extraordinary, showing the wealth accumulated by the Catholic Church throughout its history. Don't miss Michelangelo's masterwork on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel – one of the most famous and recognised paintings in the history of man. We recommend visiting Vatican City in the morning if you want to avoid the queues.
Villa Borghese Park
Stunning year round, though particularly beautiful in springtime, Villa Borghese Park, in the northern part of Rome, offers green space dotted with lakes, temples, statues, a zoo and several museums. It is also the home to the Galleria Borghese, the city’s most famous private art collection that houses works of masterpieces from icons including Caravaggio, Titian, Rubens and Raphael.
The Colosseum
No trip to Rome would be complete without visiting the mighty triumph of architecture, the Colosseum. Inaugurated in AD 80, this impressive 50,000-seat Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, held violent gladiatorial combats. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the Colosseum was abandoned and was plundered of its precious travertine and marble. The striking building is spectacularly lit up at night, adding a certain ghostly magic to its exterior – you can almost hear the roar from the Roman crowds.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is a remarkable 2000-year-old architectural gem; once a temple, it is now a church and is the best example of Rome’s ancient monuments, and one of the most significant buildings in the western world. Built by Hadrian, the Pantheon has stood since around AD 125. Considered the ancient Romans’ greatest architectural achievement, until the 15th century it was the largest cupola in the world and is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in existence.
Trevi Fountain
The spectacular Trevi Fountain takes up the entire side of the 17th-century Palazzo Poli, famously pictured in the 1960 film, La Dolce Vita. Designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732, the Trevi Fountain depicts sea-god, Oceanus, in a shell-shaped chariot being led by Tritons with seahorses. It is tradition to throw a coin into the fountain and an estimated 3,000 Euros are wished upon each day!
Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.
Flight Information
British Airways from London Heathrow and London Gatwick to Rome. UK regional departures and charter flights are also available.
Flight Time
From London Heathrow and London Gatwick to Rome: 2 hours, 35 minutes.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.