Rome, or Roma, was called the "eternal city" by the ancient Romans because it was believed that no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the city of Rome would always remain standing. With its unparalleled history, archaeological sites and monuments Rome is the third most visited city in Europe. One of the most ancient cities in Europe, ancient Rome has lived through 2,700 years and it has been continuously inhabited .Rome is the ultimate ancient city with a modern twist!!

According to legend, Rome was founded in 753 BC by twin sons Romulus and Remus who were raised by a she-wolf. In 616, the Romans' sophisticated Etruscan neighbours seized power, but were ousted in 509, the inception of the Roman Republic. It conquered most of the rest of Italy, then turned its attentions overseas, and by the 1st century BC, ruled Spain, North Africa and Greece. The expansion of the Roman Empire provided opportunities for power-hungry individuals, and the clashing of egos led to colaps of democracy. Julies Caesarruled for a time as dictator, and his nephew Octavian became Rome's first emperor, assuming the title Augustus. During the reign of Augustus, Christ was born, and though Christians were persecuted until the 4th century, the new religion took hold and Rome became the main centre of Christianity.

The Colosseum construction was started by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD. The elliptical amphitheatre could hold up to 50,000 people (who were seated according to rank) who turned out to watch gladiators do battle, people be publicly executed and enjoy other forms of entertainment!! This stone and concrete structure was the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire and it is considered one of the Romans' greatest architectural and engineering feats. Roman gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Most were men, but there were a few female gladiators. These combats were attended by the poor, the rich, and frequently the emperor himself. As gladiators fought, vicious cries and curses were heard from the audience around the Roman Colosseum. One contest after another was staged in the course of a single day. Should the ground become too soaked with blood, it was covered over with a fresh layer of sand and the performance went on. The gladiatorial games continued until Christianity progressively put an end to those parts of them which included the death of humans.

Right next to the Colosseum stands the Arc of Constantine, erected in the early 4th century to celebrate the victory of Constantine over Emperor Maxentius. The arch, decorated with statues and reliefs, has survived the times relatively unscathed. The large arch with three archways is almost 26 metres wide and 21 metres high. During construction, many parts from older structures were reused, which was common practice at the time. The statues at the top were taken from the Forum of Trajan. They depict Dacian captured soldiers, defeated by the Trajan army. The relief panels between the statues were created for Marcus Aurelius while the roundels (and possibly even the arch itself) are from Emperor Hadrian's time. Some figures in the roundels were modified to resemble Constantine. The decorations on the central and lower part were created specifically for this triumphal arch. The frieze shows the army of Constantine driving the troops of Maxentius into the Tiber. These decorations are visibly of a much lower quality than those from the era of Hadrian and Trajan, showing that the artistic level during the time of Constantine was substantially lower than in the past, symbolic for the decline of the Roman Empire.

The Romans love their piazzas (that is the public squares, not a misprint for pizza!!) - Those lively places surrounded by historic buildings or built around an obelisk or fountain that act as a meeting point or a place to relax.

Piazza Navona is often regarded as the symbol of Baroque Rome and contains many beautiful buildings and fountains. In the centre of the piazza is the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini built in 1651 and to the south is the Fontana del Moro which was originally called the seashell fountain. The Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone was built in the 12th century and extended on the 17th century and is dedicated to St Agnes. St. Agnes was around 12 or 13 years old when she was martyred right on this very spot somewhere around 303-304AD. This huge square was once a sports stadium built by Emperor Domitian in 86 AD. It was called the "Circus Agonalis" - from the Greek "agones", or contest. The stadium could hold about 20,000 spectators and was used for all kinds of games, including nude Greek athletic contests. Sometimes, the stadium would be flooded to hold mock naval battles there. The name "Navona" may have come from an evolution of the original name "in Agone" to "Navone." Or, it may be because "Navona" means big ship, referring to the mock naval battles held there.

Not far from the Piazza Navona you will find the Basilica of St Andreae della Valle with a magnificent Baroque facade. A must for opera fans, this towering 17th-century church is where Giacomo Puccini set the first act of Tosca.

Piazza Della Rotonda contains one of the best preserved Roman buildings; The Pantheon was built in 126 AD by Emperor Hadrian as a temple for all the Roman gods. Eight graceful granite Corinthian columns extend across the front of this circular building, with lesser columns in back. The circular building has exactly the same diameter as its height: 43.5 metres. Though it is 2,000 years old, the Pantheon's famous dome remains the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The temple has served as a Roman Catholic Church since the 7th century. In the centre of this plaza is yet another fountain - a notable Renaissance fountain designed by Giacomo della Porta. Until the 19th century this plaza hosted the fish market.

Just around the corner you will find the Temple of Hadrain built in 145 AD. A mere eleven columns have survived the times; all were part of the north side of the temple.

A couple of minutes' walk from the crowds surrounding the Pantheon, Piazza Sant'Ignazio is an oasis of peace and quiet, dominated by the towering facade of one of the city's most lavish baroque churches - St Ignatius Church. Many people have said if you cannot get to the Sistine Chapel then be sure to visit this church and check out the grandiose fresco that stretches across the nave ceiling.

Piazza Trevi contain the world famous...you guessed it....The Trevi Fountain whichwas completed in 1762 to a design by Nicola Salvi. This world famous Baroque fountain features a mythological sculptural composition of Neptune, god of the sea, flanked by two Tritons. At the feet of the central group there are rocks and petrified vegetation while on the sides of the central niche there are two pairs of Corinthian columns containing the statues representing Healthiness and Prosperity. The location of the Trevi fountain marks the terminus of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct and is so named on account of its position at the junction of three roads (tre vie). The legend says that one who throws a coin in the fountain shall one day return to Rome. Stand with your back to the fountain and throw the coin over your left shoulder to make sure it comes true!!

Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Square) is best known as the plaza at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. In the piazza at the bottom of the Spanish Steps is the 17th century Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat or Ugly Boat) spouting water as she sinks. The story behind the ship is that the River Tiber often flooded before the city walls were built and in 1598 there was a particularly bad flooding and the Piazza di Spagna was flooded up to a metre. Once the water withdrew, a boat was left behind in the square. The Spanish Steps are an impressive set of travertine steps dating from 1723, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinita dei Monti at the top. The steps were built with French funds and named after the Spanish Bourbon Embassy and its link to the Holy See with the French church. These steps are one of the longest and widest staircases in Europe. On the right side of the steps is Casina Rossa where the poet Keats spent the last days of his life. Whilst you are no longer allowed to sit on the steps (fines up to 400 Euros!!) or for that matter eat or drink on the steps, there are still many people standing around so it is virtually impossible to get a photo of the steps without people in the middle of the day. I would suggest early morning if that is what you are after.

Piazza Trinita dei Monti is dominated by Trinita dei Monti Church a 16th century French church (with later Italian Renaissance architecture) located at the top of the Spanish Steps.. The Gothic church with a Renaissance facade has two bell-towers. Inside, several paintings decorate the different chapels. Among them are two works by Daniele da Volterra, a pupil of Michelangelo.

The Obelisco Sallustiano stands in front of the church, moved here in 1789. It is a Roman obelisk in imitation of Egyptian ones. The hieroglyphs were copied from the obelisk on the Piazza del Popolo. From here you have fine views over the city of Rome.

Piazza del Popolo or the Peoples Square is an enormous 16,000 square metre pedestrian area. Characteristic of this square is the twin churches - Santa Maria in Montesanto and Sante Maria dei Miracoli - and the central Flaminian obelisk. Also from here you can pass through the Porta del Popolo (gate of the Aurelian Walls built in 1475 on the site of an ancient Roman gate) that is still standing.

No visit to Rome would be complete without a visit to the world's smallest country - the Vatican City - at 0.44 km² with a population of approximately 1000 people. The official Italian name of the city is Stato della Citta del Vaticano. Vatican City is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope at its head. The Vatican mints its own Euros, prints its own stamps, issues passports and license plates, operates media outlets and has its own flag and anthem. The Vatican Museums are 9 miles longand they have plenty of art and paintings available in them, which is one of the largest collections of art in the world. Pope Julius II founded the museums in the early 16th century. The Pope's personal army has some 135 Swiss Guards. The army has been protecting the pope for more than 500 years now.

Fun fact - An average Vatican resident consumes 54.26 litres of wine every year, giving this country the highest wine consumption rate per capita in the world!!

The centre of the Catholic world, the Basilica of St. Peter is a huge church: with an interior height of 120 metres, the space shuttle, together with its booster rockets, could fit inside!! The basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter, the apostle who is considered the first pope, was crucified and buried. Construction on the current building began in 1506 and was completed in 1615. Many famous artists worked on the complex and its surroundings: Michelangelo designed the dome while Bernini designed the great Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter's Square). Created in the 17th century by Bernini, the square has an elliptic shape, surrounded on two sides by colonnades before St. Peter's Basilica. Statues sit atop the colonnades and at the centre of the ellipse stands an Egyptian obelisk that was transported from Egypt to Rome during the reign of Emperor Augustus. For those who like facts and figures there are 284 columns, 88 pillars and 140 statues and it is said that Bernini designed the square in this arrangement so that it seems to embrace those who gather here to attend the ceremonies and hear the messages from the Pope. A tile placed on the floor of the square indicates the centre of the ellipse and if you position yourself there and look at the colonnade the double row of columns will look like one!!

When you have finished your visit to the Vatican City be sure to take Via Della Conciliazone to Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) and the bridge Ponte Sant'Angelo, a Roman bridge which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Rome. Known as Hadrian's Tomb, the Castel Sant'Angelo is a fortress located on the right bank of the Tiber. Construction of the building began in the year 135 under the direction of the Emperor Hadrian, who intended to use it as mausoleum for himself and his family. It was finished in the year 139 and a short time later, it became a military building, which in the year 403 would be integrated to the Aurelian Walls. The castle is now a museum and is worth a look if you have the time.

It is now time to say farewell to Europe as we pack our bags and head to South America......