Nearly 2,000 years have passed since Rome was at the height of its power, but it still retains much of its grandeur.
Experience diverse aspects of modern Roman culture - religion, music, food and sports - at the Festa di San Giuseppe in the Trionfale neighborhood around March 19.
Eat and drink yourself silly at the La Festa Di Noiantri. In mid-July the restaurants of Trastevere (in Old Rome) spill out into the streets to create a giant party.
Explore ancient Rome without leaving the modern city center. Walk around the jumbled but extensive downtown archeological park or use a map to find its most famous sights: the Pantheon, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum.
See the colosseum, the most famous building of Roman antiquity. In its glory, 50,000 people could fit inside to watch gory spectacles late into the night, but today it's nearly empty and closes at 1 p.m.
View the majestic buildings of the Roman Catholic Church: St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) and the Vatican. The Vatican boasts several of the world's best museums, including the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, only five minutes from the Ottaviano subway.
Amble through the Piazza del Campidoglio by night, and climb the steps to the Cordonata for the best view of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Descend through the ages at the San Clemente Basilica. Below the twelfth-century Chapel of St. Catarina you'll find a faded fifth-century basilica. Follow the confusing passages to a second-century temple of Mithras, the Persian god of the sun.
Decide when you want to visit. Because spring and fall are low seasons for tourism, they're also the nicest times to explore Rome. Flights are cheaper, hotels prices drop about 25 percent, and the attractions and restaurants don't draw huge crowds. Just pack a sweater and raincoat.
Keep weather in mind. The average low in January is 47 degrees F and the average high in July is 82 degrees F. From mid-May until October there's always a risk that the heat and humidity will combine to make it unpleasant.
Be aware that summer is high tourist season, so the big attractions draw big crowds. Avoid a visit during the second half of August when many Romans vacation out of the city and Rome practically shuts down.
Check out what festivals, expositions and live performances are happening.
Contact the Rome Tourist Office, or Ente Provinciale per il Turismo, Via Parigi 11, Roma 00185, or call (06) 48899253.
Book your flight, transportation and accommodations.
Check the weather forecast for Rome shortly before leaving, and pack accordingly.
