Rome

Rome, the capital city of Italy, plays host to one of the world's most vibrant collections of art and architecture. Cobbled streets meander past Medieval piazzas, babbling fountains and glorious cathedrals, while the sweet perfume of coffee and freshly baked bread wafts around every corner. Here, remnants of the mighty Roman Empire, like the Colosseum and Pantheon, stand tall nearby masterpieces from the Renaissance period like Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. The city's museums house countless artistic treasures that span the ages, while its shrines boast Byzantine mosaics, Baroque designs and gilded altars crafted by some of the world's most renowned master artists. At the heart of it all lies Vatican City, the epicenter of the Roman Catholic faith. With a culinary scene that is lauded the world over and contemporary culture as vibrant as its historic counterpart, 3000 years of history come together right here in Rome.