Rome Vacations

In a vibrant, international city such as Rome, a vacation is ideal year-round. If sunshine and packed piazzas are what you seek, plan a trip in June, July, September or October. During Christmas and Holy Week (the week before Easter), Rome is alive with religious ceremonies, concerts and festive traditions.

January, February and August are quieter months, bringing cheap hotel rates and fewer crowds. And from August 15 (Ferr-Agosto) to the end of the month, the city empties as Italians escape the heat for seaside towns.

Weather-wise, April to June and September to October are most pleasant, and temps range from the mid 60s to the low 80s. Winters are chilly and rain spells are frequent.

No need to bother with fancy toppings or cones here; this is one of the best gelato shops in Rome -- and it's right near the Trevi Fountain.

While chapels of bones and skulls might sound creepy to some, this ossuary beneath Our Lady of the Conception church celebrates the lives of nearly 4,000 Capuchin friars.

As if scaling a hilltop of bell towers, domes and greenery isn't romantic enough, stop at Ponte Milvio, where young lovers hang padlocks as a sign of affection, and then toss the keys into the Tiber.

This famous Baroque square is always abuzz with cafes, tourists and fountains. At Christmas it transforms to a festive market alive with nativity scenes, toys, roasted chestnuts, even a merry-go-round.

Wine and dine like a local at this traditional enoteca steps from the Chiesa San Lorenzo Panisperna. Try the white Frascati, grappas or whiskies paired with homemade caponata.

Explore the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel and catacombs of the saints. Climb the cupola (dome) of St. Peter's for an angelic view of St. Peter's Square.

This Baroque beauty is the muse of filmmakers and romantics alike. Toss a coin in, and you'll support food programs for the city's poor.

Watch the sun pour in from the oculus onto 2,000 year-old marble floors. This temple-turned-church is covered in artwork and holds the tombs of the united Italy's first king and the artist Raphael.

Walk cobbled streets covered in ruins so ancient a tour guide is recommended. Too tired? Take the elevator to the top of the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument.

Stroll lush gardens filled with fountains, and find sculptures and paintings by Bernini, Raphael, Rubens and Caravaggio in the Galleria Borghese. The Spanish Steps are nearby.

Here you'll find the Roman Forum and Michelangelo's grand Piazza del Campidoglio. Take in the artwork at the Capitoline Museums, including the statue of Constantine.

Don't sleep in, or you'll miss this famous morning market. And when in Rome, put on your shades, bring your own bag and look for the longest lines.

Cross the Ponte Sant'Angelo to this Tiber River fortress. From mausoleum to military refuge, papal residence and prison, it's now a museum defended by the Archangel Michael.

Journey back to ancient Rome in this giant amphitheatre, worn down through the centuries by age, earthquakes and gruesome battles. Snap photos under the Arch of Constantine.

Scale the grand staircase from the Barcaccia fountain to the Trinita dei Monti church. The streets double as catwalks for glamour as the see-and-be-seen strut into high-end shops and restaurants.

As we all know, Rome wasn't built in a day, and it's also a city you shouldn't try to see in a day, either. While Rome's ceaseless selection of must-see sights lends itself to a whirlwind, non-stop, go-go-go vacation, inhabitants and veteran tourists know that to enjoy this Italian urban jungle, you must pace yourself. Zigzag through the ancient remains of the Coliseum and Roman Forum and marvel at Michelangelo's glorious craftsmanship in the Sistine Chapel and at St. Peter's Basilica, both located in Vatican City. If you go on a Wednesday or Sunday around noon, you may catch a glimpse of the Pope at St. Peter's Square, in all his Papal glory. A romantic stroll from the Campo de' Fiori to the Spanish Steps under stars and streetlights provides a great ending to any busy day and gives you ample time to people-watch and snack on street food. Along your stroll, don't forget to catch a glimpse of the exquisitely preserved Pantheon, built in 126 A.D. Those looking for an excuse to prop up feet between stupendous sites and evocative antiquities should relish in Rome's famous gelato, often considered some of the best in the world. If it's a full-blown meal you're after, finding savory fare won't be an issue, either. It's Rome, after all. Choose a location with outdoor seating and enjoy the city's ambiance. If you're lucky, nearby street musicians may serenade diners and passers-by with accordion, strings and even saxophone.

AOL Travel’s Rome Guide

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