| The eternal city of Rome provides the venue for | | | | incredible gladiatorial contests held therein. Opened |
| many a romantic weekend or holiday break, | | | | in 80AD, this marvel of ancient engineering still |
| offering a memorable mix of activities and sights | | | | stands proudly in the centre of modern-day |
| guaranteed to keep even the hardest-to-please | | | | Rome and draws millions of visitors each year. |
| tourist happy! The capital of Italy is home to | | | | The Coliseum bears witness to the sheer |
| great designer shopping, a long impressive history | | | | opulence and decadence prevalent at the height |
| and, of course, a gorgeous Mediterranean climate. | | | | of the Roman Empire, and leaves many a visitor |
| Furthermore, Rome is currently in the news due | | | | awed. |
| to the election of the Coliseum - its iconic ancient | | | | There are other notable sights in Rome from the |
| stadium - as one of the new Seven Wonders of | | | | same age worth a visit, such as the ancient |
| the World. | | | | Pantheon with its massive dome - an architectural |
| The Coliseum is Europe's sole representative in | | | | and engineering marvel. Other sites in Rome from |
| the new Seven Wonders list, for which 90 million | | | | a later age that should be included on a 'must-see' |
| people voted in an online poll. The results, | | | | list are the Vatican City and the Trevi Fountain. |
| announced during a star-studded ceremony in | | | | Indeed, if you leave the city without throwing |
| Lisbon in early July, also revealed the remaining six | | | | three coins into the fountain, legend dictates that |
| of the new Seven Wonders of the World to be: | | | | you will never return. |
| the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu in Peru, the | | | | Rome offers a varied range of hotels from cheap |
| Taj Mahal in India, Chichén Itzá in | | | | and cheerful all the way to top 5-star luxury. |
| Mexico, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio, | | | | Those wishing to visit the Coliseum on a budget |
| Brazil, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. The | | | | but not wanting to sacrifice comfort should |
| poll has attracted criticism in some quarters, most | | | | consider renting an apartment in Rome, as such |
| notably by UNESCO who has its own list of | | | | an option can offer an affordable alternative to |
| wonders and argues that a popular vote is not | | | | expensive city centre hotels and are certainly |
| the way to determine the world's wonders. | | | | more comfortable than budget hotels. You can |
| However, whether or not you agree with the poll | | | | rent fully-furnished, stylish apartments in Rome |
| results, Rome's Coliseum is undeniably an | | | | for stays of as little as one night. |
| impressive ancient wonder. In its heyday it could | | | | But, wherever you choose to stay in the world's |
| accommodate 50,000 spectators seated over | | | | eternal city, you must visit the Coliseum: one of |
| three tiers, many of which were witnesses to the | | | | the new seven modern wonders of the world. |