Last October, my partner and I had the pleasure of visiting Rome for the very first time. We spent a few days in the Eternal City and while it was a relatively short stay, we managed to explore and eat our way around the city pretty well.

I have always been fascinated with the Roman history. Having read and heard so many things about Rome, it was my dream to visit the city. Like they say: All roads lead to Rome. I am very glad that I finally had the chance to see the city for myself.

If you are planning a trip to Europe, Rome should be at the top of your to-go list. It is worth visiting for a few reasons.

Firstly, for the rich history and the magnificent ancient Roman architecture. There are so many famous buildings and structures within the city that it is impossible to see all of them in a trip. We stood in awe before the Colosseum, where we could almost picture the gladiators fighting and the deafening cheers from the crowd; we took a million photos of the marvellous Pantheon, the most well-preserved Roman building which dated way back to 126AD; the buzz at the Roman Forum, the heart of commerce and business during ancient Rome; and we fell in love with the Fontana di Trevi, the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome.

Secondly, the food… Oh, the food was amazing. We sampled so many delicious things. Pasta cacio e pepe, Pizza alla Romana, Fiori di Zucca, Crostata di ricotta – we ate everything. From family run trattorias and pizzerias, to fancy restaurants, there are plenty of options in Rome. Italian food will never be the same again.

Another reason to visit – even if you are not a Catholic – is Vatican City. It is one of those places that will stop you in your track. I could go on and on, but it would serve little purpose; Vatican City is a place that you must experience for yourself.

While we only spent five days there, we had a very memorable time and Rome will always be one of our favourite cities. There are so many things to do in Rome and we could have easily stayed there for two weeks. I have a list of eating places to share with you, but that is a story for another day. I’d strongly urge you to visit Rome and experience the rich ancient splendour of the city.

Read our guide on Rome’s Top 10 Budget Restaurants