How old is Rome

Asks panda

A. It dates back to 21 April 753BC, and today the date is still celebrated as a public holiday.

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Q. I'd like to visit the city, but wouldn't know where to start. Any tips

A. You definitely need time if you want to see Rome properly, it cannot be covered in a weekend, you need at least a week to see all the sights and soak up the atmosphere, history and culture.

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Q. What sights would you recommend that I do not miss on my trip

A. As there is just so much to see here, it is probably best to visit on a few occasions if you have the time and money, in order to see everything. Alternatively, if you can only visit once, try and take in as much of the following as possible (or select just a few so you don't tire yourself out):

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Churches: Rome boasts over 450 churches most of which you can visit, for free. Some of the more famous include St Peters (which contains paintings by Michelangelo); St John Lateran, San Luigi dei Francesi (which contains painting by Caravaggio), St Mary Major, Santa Maria del Popolo San Clemente and St Pauls.

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Sistine Chapel: Be prepared to queue for hours if you visit the Sistine Chapel, but it is well worth the wait to see Michelangelo's depiction of The Creation, which is now fully restored to its former glory, he completed it in 1512.

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Pantheon: is probably the best preserved of all Rome's ancient monuments. It was built by Hadrian between AD119-128 as a temple to the Gods, and converted to a Christian church in AD608, which is probably why it has survived so long.

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Roman Forum: was discovered during excavation work in the 19th Century and although today all that remains are felled columns and lumps of marble it was once the political and social heart of ancient Rome. Some of the remaining monuments include the Arch of Septimus Severus, Caesar's rostra and the House of the Vestal Virgins.

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Capitoline Hill: The main attraction here (from which you get an aerial view of the Roman Forum) is the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michaelangelo and the three palaces which include the famous Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo dei Senatori.

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Colosseum: dates back to AD72. Today a skeletal framework of the former site of gladiatorial conquests remains, but it is an amazing relic to visit.

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Vatican City: home to the Pope, Vatican City is a small independent state located within the city and is the spiritual home of Roman Catholicism.

Castel Sant' Angelo - today this mausoleum is a museum, but it was originally constructed for Hadrian and then converted into a papal fortress in the 6th Century. It is linked to the Vatican by underground secret passages and reached by foot over the beautiful Pont Sant' Angelo.

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Trevi Fountain: Located off the Via del Tritone, the fountain has long been a symbol of Rome. It is surrounded by statues of Abundance, Agrippa, Salubrity and Neptune and local myth has it that a coin cast in its waters will ensure a return visit to Rome.

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The Spanish Steps: originally got its name from the nearby Spanish Embassy, but this area is associated with its famous British visitors that stayed here including Robert Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Byron, Keats and Shelley. Today you'll find the Keats Shelley Memorial House here. At the foot of the steps lies the boat-shaped Barcaccia fountain, designed in 1627 by Bernini.

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Q. When is the best time to visit Rome

A. As the saying goes "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" and avoid Rome in August as it is unbearably hot and only full of tourists, as all the locals leave the city. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

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Q. Is it easy to get around the city

A. The traffic is dense, so avoid the roads where possible. But if you can't, take a local bus (orange for the city centre or blue if you're travelling further) or tram and avoid hiring a car or scooter. The metro is also very clean and reliable. Please note that all tickets for public transport must be pre-purchased (not on the vehicle) and you can buy them at ATAC counters, tobacconists, newsagents and at automatic ticket dispensers at metros and throughout the city centre. Daily and weekly passes for all public transport are also available at these outlets.

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Information on all tourist sights, hotels, restaurants and transport is available while you're in Rome from the Azienda di Promozione Turistica di Roma (APT), Via Parigi 11, 00185 Rome. Tel: (06) 488 991. Fax: (06) 48 89 92 50. It has branches at this address and at the Termini Station and the airports.

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By Karen Anderson