An insider guide to summer in Rome, Italy's eternal city

Rome has been around for almost three thousand years and yet carries all that weight of history with a dolce vita lightness of heart. It's a city that combines the intimacy and human scale of a village with the cultural draws of a historic, art-laden European metropolis.
Classical ruins and early Christian places of worship stand next to – or sometimes lie beneath – Renaissance palazzos and Baroque fountains. But there are also great neighbourhood trattorias, quirky shops and a buzzing aperitivo scene. The golden rule for visitors? Don't try to cram too much in. Rome moves at a slower pace than many northern cities, and to enjoy it you should take time out in pavement cafés as well as ticking off all the big cultural draws.
Explore our in-depth guides to Rome's best hotels, attractions, restaurants, shopping, nightlife and free things to do.
In this guide:
What's new in Rome this summer
New hotel: Orient Express La Minerva opens its doors
The former Grand Hotel de la Minerve has reopened as the Orient Express La Minerva, after a four-year renovation. This is the luxury rail brand's first hotel in the world. The interiors now glow with Art Deco chic, and the rooftop restaurant has reclaimed its place as one of the most spectacular in Rome's centro storico, with direct views over the Pantheon's massive cupola.
Concerts: Rome Summer Fest
Italian and international stars take to the stage for the city's annual music festival, Rome Summer Fest. There are more than 70 concerts scheduled between June and September this year, including A-listers from Sting and Alanis Morissette to Nick Cave. Performances are held in the outdoor Cavea at Renzo Piano's modern Auditorium Parco della Musica, a delight for architecture aficionados, as well as music fans.
Patron Saint celebrations: Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul
Rome's 2025 ecclesiastical calendar is filled with Jubilee-related events, but there's one summer celebration that is uniquely Roman: The Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul, which honours the city's patron saints each year on June 29. People will be out in droves for the Mass at the Pantheon and an infiorata (floral display) in front of St Peter's. The main attraction however, is the Girandola, a spectacular fireworks display over Castel Sant'Angelo that lights up the sky around 10:30pm.

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Angela Livingstone obituary

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Daily Mail​

an hour ago

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Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez face protests from locals over wedding in Venice

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are set to to tie the knot in the 'wedding of the century' in Venice, Italy, in just two days' time - but to say the romantic city's locals are less than thrilled about the three-day celebration is an understatement. Protest banners, posters and graffiti have appeared in recent days, most emblazoned with the message 'No space for Bezos', and activists are planning a series of disruptions to challenge the island-wide celebrations. The Amazon founder, 61, and his fiancée, 55, are expected to throw one of the most lavish sets of nuptials of the year, costing an estimated $15 million to $20 million, with a star-studded guest list featuring some of the world's most famous faces. According to Italian media reports, hundreds of stars will visit the city for the events, which will take place from June 23rd to 25th, with nearly every luxury hotel now fully booked. But demonstrators in the Lagoon City are against the spectacle of wealth that is about to take place and say the wedding is an example of over-tourism, a problem Venice already struggles with. Last week, a group of activists unfurled a huge banner over one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Rialto bridge, with its central message 'No Space for Bezos', a nod to the billionaire's space exploration venture, Blue Origin. They also hung a huge banner with Jeff's surname crossed out in red on the bell tower of San Giorgio Basilica. Protestor Federica Toninelli told the BBC that Venice is 'being treated like a showcase, a stage', adding that Jeff and Lauren's wedding is 'the symbol of the exploitation of the city by outsiders'. In a social media post urging other locals to join the protests, the activists also accused the city's Mayor Luigi Brugnaro of treating residents as 'a nuisance' because 'for him the only valid use of Venice is as a backdrop for events that make the rich richer'. But Brugnaro has hit back, telling reporters he is 'ashamed' of the protests and adding: 'What other city would organise a committee against the wedding of such an important person? 'I hope [Jeff] doesn't have second thoughts.' Another protestor, Marta Sottoriva, told The Independent that the city's willingness to host the extravagant event has given the impression that 'a city can be sold to the highest bidder with the most money'. On Sunday June 22nd, more messages popped up around the city bearing the protest message, even as businesses prepare for the huge influx of tourists. One poster features a black-and-white image of Jeff with red tape over his eyes and an upside Amazon logo placed over his mouth like a frown. The activists are also planning to cause a stir during the festivities and hope to drum up attention for their cause by blocking roads and the city's iconic waterways with boats and paddleboards, as well as jumping into the canals. Among the sea of high-profile guests expected to attend the wedding, close Hollywood A-lister friends of the couple such as Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Orlando Bloom, Eva Longoria, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, and Miranda Kerr may make an appearance. TMZ reports suggest members of the Trump family may also be in attendance, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. It is not known if US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump will be there, but seeing as Jeff and Lauren were given front-row seats at the president's inauguration, his attendance is a possibility. 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The Sun

an hour ago

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The correct way to apply insect repellent revealed, and if you do it wrong you can expect more bites

WHETHER you're holidaying abroad of enjoying the warm UK weather, chances are mosquitoes are going to be an issue. These pesky insects can cause irritating bites, that may also pose a health risk depending on your location. Make sure you're not making an easy error when applying your insect repellant this summer. And if you're travelling abroad, take extra care as bites can sometimes lead to issues such as malaria, dengue, Zika fever, and yellow fever. Bug repellents need to be applied during the day and also at night, and whether you're indoors and outdoors. You should also pay particular attention to the product's label before purchasing. DEET is chemical ingredient found in most bug sprays and shoppers are advised to check for it when picking up a bottle. "A product with 50% DEET is recommended as a first choice," said official Government advice, last updated in 2023. "If DEET is not tolerated, use of a repellent containing the highest strength formulation available of either icaridin (20%), eucalyptus citriodora oil, hydrated, cyclised or 3-ethlyaminopropionate is recommended." And whichever bug spray you opt for, make sure you're applying it at the correct time alongside your other products. This is particularly relevant when it comes to another summer essential: suncream. The Government stressed the importance of always using bug repellant afterward you apply suncream for the most effective results. Plague of parasites that hitch a ride on flying insects and 'slurp liquid from human skin' sweep holiday hotspot You should also opt for suncreams with an SPF of 30 to 50 as DEET can reduce their potency. Most repellents need to be reapplied frequently, especially in hot weather conditions or after spending time in water. Users are encouraged to read each repellent's packaging for more specific guidance. "50% DEET is safe for those pregnant and breastfeeding and for babies older than two months," the Government's guidance explained. "Get advice before you travel from your doctor or pharmacist if your baby is aged under two months. How to prevent tick bites - and remove the bugs There are a few things you can do to lessen your likelihood of tick bites. Firstly, try and cover as much of your skin as possible while walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks. You should also be using insect repellent containing DEET on your clothes and skin, and wearing light coloured clothing so you can spot a tick easily. Also stick to paths where possible when you're out walking. How can I remove a tick safely? To remove a tick safely: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it when you have removed it. Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water. The chance of getting ill is low. You do not need to do anything else unless you notice a rash or become unwell. If either of these happen, make sure to see a GP so you can get treatment as soon a possible. "Take insect repellents with you—in case of shortages at your destination." You can also make use of other steps to prevent bites, including wearing long-sleeved clothing and treating nets with insecticide. These are particularly important in situations where you might be sleeping outdoors or in a space without air conditioning. "Check your net for rips and tuck the ends under the mattress," the Government advised. "There may also be a risk of bites from ticks and other insects; the same protective measures will help reduce bites from these too." 2