Emirates destinations
There’s a reason why Rome is called The Eternal City. The Italian capital is among the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe, having been established around 3,000 years ago. The centre of the city is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and simply walking through the streets or wandering around the piazzas makes you feel closer to the past.
Rome remains a hugely sought after destination, as thousands of visitors descend on the capital each year to see its iconic sights, from the Pantheon to the Colosseum. For some, Rome’s significance lies in its status as home to Vatican City, an independent country that resides within its boundaries. It’s also where you’ll find the Sistine Chapel and its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo, as well as St Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church. In the Vatican Museum, you’ll be bowled over by the art collection of masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance.
Of course, the city is not without its modern charms, and travellers catch flights to Rome from all over the world in search of the dolce vita, or sweet life. From Audrey Hepburn on her Vespa in Roman Holiday to Julia Roberts eating gelato near a fountain in Eat Pray Love, the city has always been synonymous with the pursuit of pleasure and fun.
Whatever you do in Rome, do it on foot. While the public transport system is easy enough to navigate, it’s during slow, unhurried walks around the city that you’ll discover the true hidden gems – tucked away cafes, charming boutiques and quaint bookshops, to name a few.