“The Eternal City has always held a special place in my heart, from my first visit over 20 years ago to my latest trip just last year.

Some may argue it doesn’t have New York’s charisma or the romance of Venice; but what it does have is over 3000 years of history and culture that combines classical ruins and early Christian places of worship with Renaissance palazzos, great neighbourhood trattorias, quirky shops and a vivacious vibe come sundown.

One of the things I love most about Rome is that it’s relatively compact so, as long as you’re staying somewhere central, you can pretty much walk anywhere. And, with this being my first visit as a solo traveller, I was determined to mix business with a little pleasure and enjoy it all to its fullest.

First stops… the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. They’ve been on my ‘must-do’ list for the longest time and I wasn’t disappointed. And yes, while I would say one day is nowhere near enough time to spend in such a captivating capital, if you ever find yourself here for just 24 hours or so, then these cultural hotspots are a must.

Maximise your time by taking one of the small group tours. Quite frankly it’s like having your own private guide. Setting off, earpiece in place, our first guide Francesca walked and talked us through the fascinating history of the Colosseum – the apex of ancient Roman entertainment. Standing in the centre of this masterpiece is a memory I will never forget.

Next up, a 45-minute tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, this time with Isabella, who was equally as knowledgeable. Adjacent to the Colosseum, it’s just as beautiful, though maybe not quite as impressive for sheer size. But, with ancient ruins and a backdrop of cypress trees, it’s a fab place to sit and soak up your surroundings, or wander, post-tour, to your heart’s content.

After my time in Ancient Rome, it was time to head back to the future, don my Travel Director hat and pay a visit to my old friend, the Hotel de Russie – the centrepiece in Rome’s crown since opening in 2000 (and, I’m happy to say, it hasn’t lost any of its magic).