VIDEO: Rome - the eternal city

The ancient city of Rome is a delight to visit for anyone who enjoys history - there's Roman ruins all over the place! However, even those of us (including yours truly) who don't spend a lot of time visiting cathedrals and historic sites still enjoy holidaying in the Italian capital.

It's a great place for people watching, walking, drinking capuccinos in little cafes, enjoying gelati in a cone along the way and all those delightful practices. Be warned, restaurants tend to be expensive by Australian and American standards, but the food is very good. If you're on a budget, stick to the countless pizza and pasta places or, dare I say it, McDonald's and keep the spare cash for purchasing imitation designer wear from street markets or the real stuff from the glitzy stores.

We stayed in a budget hotel in the central Rome Terminii area. There are literally hundreds of reasonably priced hotels within walking distance of Rome's main rail station.