Holiday homes in Lazio - private accommodation to rent

This area was once the richest part of Italy and the remains of the tombs and carvings of the great Etruscan civilisation are magnificent works of art. It could take a lifetime to peel away the layers of history in Rome, the eternal city. Visitors can explore the Palatine, with its temples and monuments, and the Forum, the centre of ancient Rome. The Colosseum looms over the city, remaining the symbol of Rome. At the heart of modern Rome, the best designer shopping is on offer at the foot of the Spanish Steps. The Pantheon remains the best-preserved ancient building in Rome. A whole day should be devoted to exploring Vatican City, the smallest nation in the world. Saint Peter’s square and cathedral are vast monuments to papal power, and the Vatican museums house works by Raphael as well as the Sistine Chapel, Michaelango’s great work. There are fascinating remnants of the Etruscan inhabitants of the area to be found outside the bustle of Rome. The landscape here is marshy, with lakes created by volcanic craters.