Rome is draped in history, wonderful architecture, art, culture, great shopping and a special atmosphere such that it cannot be covered in one visit. It is a city best visited several times over long weekends or weekly stays.

It is also impossible in a few short paragraphs to do the city justice and so we have just selected a few highlights for you below:

The ancient centre is around the Capitol, the southern high point of the Capitoline Hill which was the symbolic centre of the Roman world and the place of the city's three most important temples. These temples were dedicated to the god Jupiter Optimus Maximus (protector of Rome), Minerva the goddess of wisdom and war, and Juno Moneta, a guardian goddess.

Below the Capitol lies the world famous Forum which was once the focus of political, social, legal and commercial life. This is also the location of perhaps the most famous building in history, the Colosseum, the once centre of entertainment for the empire.

The Capitol was designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century and he is responsible for the Piazza del Campidoglio as well as the Cordonata, which are the broad flight of stairs leading to this place. The piazza is flanked by the Palazzo Nuovo and Palazzo dei Conservatori, which house the Capitoline museums with their fine collections of sculptures and paintings. A great view over the forum can be seen from behind the museums to the Tarpeian Rock.

The Colosseum was Rome's greatest amphitheatre and was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in AD 72. This massive structure could hold up to 55,000 people. The Doric, Ionic and Corinthian Tiers inspired many Renaissance architects, who also plundered the building, using its travertine to build palaces and part of St Peter's. This is the main reason for its current form.

The Palatine is also worth a visit as it was once the residence of emperors and aristocrats. These are really pleasant surroundings with the ruins ranging from the simple house in which Augustus is believed to have lived, to the Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana, the public and private wings of the luxurious palace, built by Domitian.

The area around the Piazza Navono should be visited because this area, known as the centro storico, has been inhabited for at least 2000 years. The Piazza stands above the ancient stadium. There is the Pantheon (a temple since AD 27) and the theatre of Marcellus in the Ghetto to view. The real heyday for the area began in the 15th century when the papacy returned to Rome and, throughout the Renaissance and Baroque eras, princes, popes and cardinals settled here as did artists and artisans that were commissioned to build the ornate palaces, fountains and churches.

There are a number of events and festivals to look out for in Rome:

• Roma Europa Festival, September: Annual appointment for modern art and theatre, music and dance, with artists from of all Europe.
• Festival Romics, October: Comics and Cartoon Festival: exhibitions, cartoon film showings of designers and publishing companies.
• Roma Jazz Festival, October: Festival of jazz music since of 1876. Italian and international artists.
• Roman Summers, from June to September: Various events from music to theater, literary meetings and cinema. Events that take place in the most characteristic places in Rome that attract the participation of thousands of artists from all over the world.