A Weekend Away In Rome

It wasn’t built in a day, but you can see some of the Italian capital’s most fabulous sights in just two!

- Helena Cartwright

WHAT TO SEE

Start at the Vatican in the heart of the city. Here you’ll find the Vatican museums – home to the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo’s magnificent ceiling. Book ahead, as the queues are lengthy all day. Entry to St Peter’s Basilica itself is free. The view from the inside of the dome costs a little extra, but is heart-stopping. Walk up the 320 stairs or cheat and take the lift (entry from £3).

The Colosseum is a must-see but, again, book ahead to beat the mile-long queues. Then visit Villa Borghese in the north of the city for its frescoed walls, painted ceilings and stunning gardens.

Rome free…

With historical sights around every corner, there’s plenty to see if you’re on a budget. Entry to the 2,000-year-old circular Pantheon temple – a mind-boggling feat of early engineering – is free. Its huge bronze doors are the original Roman ones.