Viator Rome

Located within the city of Rome is a separate city state, the Vatican. The head of this state is the Pope. Many people make the pilgrimage to the Vatican every year – as they have done for centuries – to see the Pope. Here are the best ways to do this…

Rome is brimming with historic ruins, works of art and wonderful museums. Wandering around one of the world’s most delightful cities will lead you to ruined temples in the middle of the road, intricately sculptured fountains on tucked-away squares, and beautiful Baroque churches. The Eternal City is just begging to be explored, but as well as visiting its main attractions there are many unsung sights to discover. Here are some ideas about what to see, and some tips to help you get the most out of your visit.

Two very good reasons to head to Rome during the Christmas season are that the first Christmas mass was said in Rome at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the city’s five large basilicas and the biggest dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and also that here are located the Vatican and the Pope, head of the Catholic Church in the world and thus epicenter of celebrations of the birth of Jesus.

Every traveler knows that the best places to get answers about anything is a local! We’ve invited some of our travel experts to give us their insider information on what to do in their city. Who better to get advice about Rome from than a true Roman!

Since Rome is basically the place from where Christianity was consolidated and spread, it’s no surprise that its makes a big deal out of Christmas–as it should; the Eternal city’s monuments and ancient architecture are prime for decorating, and the city does Christmas right.

What do you do if you don’t become Pope? Five times! You build a the Villa d’Este gardens of course, channeling all your frustrations into making one of the world’s best gardens and creating a wonder of Italy. That was Cardinal Ippolito d’Este’s solution anyway after his last papal disappointment in 1550 to his death in 1572.