The Westin Excelsior, Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special municipality named Roma Capitale with a population of 2.7 million in an area of 1,287.36 km2 (497.1 mi2), Rome is the third most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. The Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, with a population of 4.2 million, is the most populous metropolitan city in Italy. Its metropolitan area is the third-most populous within Italy. Rome is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, within Lazio (Latium), along the shores of the Tiber Valley. Vatican City—the smallest country in the world and headquarters of the worldwide Catholic Church under the governance of the Holy See—is an independent country within Rome's municipal boundaries, the only existing example of a country within a city. Rome is often referred to as the "City of Seven Hills" due to its geography, and also as the "Eternal City". Rome is generally considered to be one of the cradles of Western civilization and Western Christian culture, and the centre of the Catholic Church.

As you wander through the streets of Rome, you'll be transported back in time to the days of the Roman Empire. Everywhere you look, there are ancient ruins, grand monuments, and impressive architecture that tell the story of this city's rich past. From the Colosseum to the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps, there is so much to see and discover in Rome.

But Rome isn't just a city of history and culture — it's also a city of food, fashion, and romance. The local cuisine is some of the best in the world, with traditional dishes like pasta carbonara, pizza margherita, and gelato that will leave you wanting more. And when it comes to fashion, Rome is home to some of the world's most renowned designers and boutiques, making it a shopper's paradise.