A magnificent city at the heart of a once great Empire, Rome is still one of the most important cities in the world. Not only is it culturally diverse and a city teaming with people from all walks of life, but it’s home to some of the most priceless works of art, monuments and other antiques that the world has ever known. With all that in mind, it makes for the perfect weekend break at any time of year, so in today’s post, we’re thinking about how you could pack as much into 48 hours there as possible…

Day one: sightseeing, window shopping and eating out

First off, you’ll have to check into your hotel. If it’s a quaint apartment in the heart of the city, after unpacking your bags make sure you explore the local area, making a note of transport links and timetables. If you’re staying in a luxury hotel of course, reception will have that covered, so you might want to kick off with a couple of hours in the spa.

Now it’s time to head into the city, and we’d recommend you head straight for Piazza Navona. Located right in the heart of Rome, it’s the perfect place to begin your sightseeing journey. You’ll be able to take in plenty of attractions such as the famous Spanish Steps, the ancient Stadium of Domitian and the ‘Fountain of Four Rivers’. In the afternoon, it would be rude not to take advantage of the dozens of fashion houses in the area. Take a stroll down Via dei Condotti and you’ll be able to treat yourself to luxury goods from some of the country’s most prestigious designer brands. After that, you’ll probably be ready to get some dinner, and luckily the shopping district is surrounded by everything from rustic bistros to fine-dining.

Day two: exhibits, markets and opera under the stars

Refreshed and ready to take on Rome, we recommend that you hit the most popular attractions such as the Roman Forum, Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel as early as possible. These fill up fast with tourists, so it’s best to make a list of your top attractions and head for those first so you don’t end up disappointed. After trekking across the city, you should try and head for the markets; there are dozens held across the city, from the huge Porta Portese Market filled with antiques, to the Fontanella Borghese Market which is an art-lover’s paradise.

Our favourite would have the be Campo de Fiori; the city’s oldest market, you’ll find it jam-packed with all the freshest produce that Rome has to offer. Our advice would be to stock up a picnic basket while you’re here with treats, before spending your evening dining under the stars as you watch an Italian opera (you can buy tickets here) at the open-air theatre, Terme di Caracalla – the most romantic way to end your stay in Rome.

What city breaks do you have planned this year?