The best time to visit Rome depends entirely on what you prefer. The summer months can reach into the mid 30s (Celsius) and get a little humid on some days. It is not unbearable, but you will look forward to the air-conditioned hotel rooms after a while. If you are planning on staying in Rome for a short time, then staying in a hotel would suit you better. You can use the hotel as a base and explore the city. Hotels will also give you a structure so that you can see all the important parts of Rome. Most hotels will have shuttle pickup points and arranged tours to the main attractions, complete with air-conditioned bus, tour guide and pointing tourists.

If you are thinking of having an extended stay in Rome then something like a self-catering holiday apartment could suit your needs better. This will allow you to explore Rome at your own pace. You will not have to worry about missing meals in the hotel that you have paid for. Better yet, you can buy your ingredients fresh from the market and cook at your apartment. Italian wine is the perfect complement to any meal and you should be able to pick up a decent bottle at most grocers.

You should try and find yourself an apartment that is situated just outside of the main town and also an apartment with a balcony of sorts. At sunset, this is when Rome is at its most beautiful. A sunset and a glass of wine is the perfect ending to any busy day in Rome before heading out for a night on the town.

Of course you have to see all the attractions in the tourist brochure but when you are finished seeing the Coliseum, Sistine Chapel, the Vatican and all the other attractions you should start to look at the lesser known sites. The Roman architecture is incredible to say the least and if you go slightly off the beaten track then you should stumble onto some truly breathtaking places. There are scores of old churches scattered around the outlying parts of Rome and if you make a day of it you should think of hiring a car or a couple of Vespas.

Rome should be at the top of your list of places to go, so if you have never been then book as soon as you can. The sooner you book, the cheaper your trip will be and the longer you will have to plan everything perfectly.