Romantic break? Check. Shopper’s paradise? Check. Girly weekend away? Check. For whatever reason you need a break, the dynamically cosmopolitan and historic city of Rome has everything to satisfy your most indulgent travel whims.

The Italians are known for their passion, fashion and flair, and Rome’s romantic streets – with their glitzy stores, architectural and archaeological wonders and, of course, divine cuisine – are perfect for getting lost in. Whether you pick up a guide book and go it alone, or latch onto a tour and have someone direct you, this is one city that needs discovering from top to bottom – there’s so much to see, you’ll be dying to go back! Walk, cycle or hop on a Segway – the ways to see Rome are as numerous as the sites that need to be explored.

If you like shopping, you’ll be in heaven. Super-glam Italian designer stores line the streets of the Via Condotti, which is a must-see whether you’re willing to flex your credit card or simply window shop. You can pop into the TAD store for a spot of lunch at the concept shop’s swanky café, though sampling the local cuisine in a traditional trattoria is also a must. After all, when in Rome...

Italians are all about laid-back dining, where the focus is purely on the quality of the local produce – there’s no menus, as everything is based on what’s available on the day. Maccheroni, on the Piazza delle Coppelle, serves some of the best homemade rustic cuisine, with a good selection of Italy’s finest wines. And what would a trip to Italy be without trying out gelato? Look out for the stores with an ‘A’ on their signboards, as these serve ice cream made with fresh ingredients and artisanal flavours. Ask for a three-flavoured cup or cone and you’ll get to pick three different flavours, con panna – with cream – or not.

If you’ve still got the energy after the sun’s gone down, the best nightclubs are in the Testaccio and Ostiense districts, with the Via di Monte Testaccio the perfect place to kick off an after-dark session. There are no licensing laws in Italy, which means you can keep partying for as
long as the last person’s standing!

While you're there

Go Colossal
It’s such an iconic structure, how can you possibly visit Rome and not pop into the Colosseum? It’s as big, beautiful and grand as you’ll have seen it in the movies, whether reconstructed in Gladiator or as is in the more recent Jumper, which was given exclusive permission to film among the ruins.

Trevitastic
Another icon in pop culture, the Trevi Fountain can’t help but impress as it stands in its comparatively small piazza. Embodying the very extravagance of Rome, it’s a magnificent structure – and if you’re of the superstitious persuasion, tossing a coin over your shoulder into the water means you’ll come back to enjoy it again in the future.

Shop ‘til you drop
While the buildings may be steeped in history, the shopping scene is anything but. Italians are known for being style-conscious and the cutting edge boutiques offer nothing less than tailored perfection. Visit the Spanish Steps for hot-off-the-catwalk looks.