The eternal city of Rome is so full of breathtaking treasures from all periods of history that you can live your entire life here and still never see everything. So given that you’ll be spending considerably less than a lifetime here (although you wouldn’t be the first to just not get the plane home), we’ve provided a few useful links so that you can read up a little before you come. Maybe you’ve never heard of the Colosseum before…? Or maybe you’ve been here a few times and would like to go off the beaten track? We hope the following provide you with some inspiration.

• A brief account of the last 300 years, thanks to good old Wikipedia.
• www.angeltoursrome.com, www.romancandletours.com – Fancy a tour? It really is the best way to learn about these fascinating places, so go with our enthusiastic expert mother-tongue English guides, who are cheaper than most Italian guides and whose English you can actually understand.
• What’s on Guide to Rome nightlife and events (it’s not all just history you know!)
• www.atac.roma.it, www.trenitalia.com – Local and national transport.
• Official Site of the Holy See.
• Rome’s museums listed from A to Z.

And if you’re planning to travel around Italy a bit, try these hotels’ sites

• www.florencehotelsdirect.com – The best value for money Hotel Portal for Florence.
• www.hotelannabellaflorence.com – Hotel Annabella Florence – charming 3 star in the historical centre.
• www.residenzabelliflorence.com – Residenza Belli – Traditional Guest House near Santa Maria Novella, a short walk from the Centro Storico.

• www.milanhotelsdirect.com – Milan Hotel Portal offering the best rates guaranteed.
• www.hotelcinquegiornate.com – Hotel 5 Giornate – value for money 3 star in the city centre with a great family atmosphere.
• www.antareshotels.com – Antares Hotel Chain – 3 beautiful 4 star hotels in the metropolis of Milano.

• www.venicehotelsdirect.com – Venice Hotel Portal offering very competitive rates.
• www.pensionesegusovenice.com – Pensione Seguso – idyllic 16th century family run guest house in the wake of San Marco.
• www.residenzalagunavenice.com – Residenza Laguna – tiny and much sought after guest house near Ponte Rialto.
• www.sicilyhotelsdirect.com – Brand new Hotel Portal for Sicily.