Steeped in history and brimming with iconic landmarks, Rome, Italy, is a city unlike any other. Founded in 753 BC, it’s a place where ancient ruins brush shoulders with bustling piazzas, and the echoes of emperors past linger in the air. This “Eternal City” is considered the cradle of Western civilization, and with good reason. Rome was the heart of the vast Roman Empire, and its influence on law, government, architecture, and culture is still felt today.

Whether you’re a history buff yearning to walk the same streets as Julius Caesar, an art aficionado marveling at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, or a عاشق الطعام (ashiq al-ta`am, Arabic for “food lover”) savoring a plate of pasta alla gricia, Rome has something to captivate every traveler.