Rome is a rambling, historic metropolis at the center of the Italian peninsula, serving as the national capital of Italy and the capital of the Lazio region. Once the seat of the Roman Empire, the city today is a UNESCO City of Film and a major cultural destination defined by ancient forums, imperial monuments, medieval basilicas, Baroque piazzas, and modern civic districts. Its layered urban fabric stretches from the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the Vatican City and the great papal basilicas, with neighborhoods such as Celio, Monti, Parione, and Esquilino preserving centuries of architectural and artistic development. Rome's long continuity as a political, religious, and artistic center makes it one of the most historically dense cities in Europe, where archaeological sites, museums, churches, and public squares remain integral to everyday life. Rome's food culture centers on classic pastas, market produce and long-standing trattorias. - AsNotedIn

• Vatican City