Nightlife in Rome has come a long way and is now a vibrant affair with a number of restaurants, bars and clubs to choose from. If you just want a quiet night with a glass of wine and some good company then the squares in the city's historic centre make an idyllic setting

La Vineria is a popular bar along with L'Angolo Divino and Bar del Finco. Following the move to the Euro, prices in the city have risen over the years making eating and drinking out an often expensive affair. Nevertheless, if you head to San Lorenzo you should be able to get a drink or two without breaking the bank!

For dancing then Rome has a selection of clubs. Testaccio and Akab are possible options. The first plays all things commercial while the latter has a more cutting edge vibe with a variety of sounds hitting the dancefloor from funk to reggae. Brancaleone is the place to be if electronic tunes and house are your thing and Gilda is for the celeb spotters and those in search of a bit of sparkle.

The Superclub is one of Rome's ultimate and luxurious nightspots where you can take in the great décor, get a bite to eat with the international food on offer, have a drink, dance on the dancefloor or even relax with a free massage!

The gay scene in Rome is developing and has come a long way over the years. There are now a number of gay and lesbian venues, including La Buca di Bacco, Alibi and Goa.

Food Drink and Shopping

Food and Drink

Eating healthy is a must for Italians and this tradition is kept within Rome. The chance to experience true Italian dishes with a dash of wine is available in every part of the city. Thursday is traditionally ‘gnocchi day' which are tiny potato and flour dumplings. A popular Roman dish to try is the Saltimbocca which is a veal dish that is rumoured to be so good that it "jumps-in-the-mouth". When in Rome, wine is traditionally drunk with meals which are produced from the hills around the city.

Italy is renowned for its excellent cuisine and you are not going to go hungry when in Rome. There are loads of great dishes and ingredients you should try. Here are just a few of them:

• Risi e bisi - A yummy risotto made from rice and fresh peas. Parma ham and parmesan jazz it up a bit.
• Pizza - Pizza in Italy is a real must! Authentic pizza Roman style is thin crust with fresh ingredients on top. Eat out and many restaurants have the oven in view so you can watch your pizza being created and cooked.
• Pasta - Pasta, like pizza is an Italian institution and there are many different varieties from spaghetti and tagliatelle to penne and macaroni. Each variety is served with its own sauce and prepared in a unique way giving rise to dishes like lasagne, ravioli and tortellini.
• Sun dried tomatoes
• Olives
• Cheese - Ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, mascarpone ...
• Dried porcini mushrooms

For desert then there are two Italian specialities that you really must try starting with Tiramisú. This delicious desert made from mascarpone, amoretti biscuits, coffee and a dash of liquor is a treat to the senses, and like nothing you'll have ever bought in a shop over here!

The second of Rome's culinary highlights is a visit to one of the many ice cream parlours. Either choose to sit in or buy a cone or tub to eat out in the street. One not to be missed is the ice cream parlour next to Trevi Fountain - try the tiramisu flavour (getting the best of both worlds in tasty deserts!) - you won't regret it!

Good Italian food needs good Italian wine and you should have no difficulty in finding some. Red, white and rosé are all in plentiful supply  and you can choose between Pinot Blanco, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Orvieto, Chianti and Barolo to name a few.

Other alcoholic drinks enjoyed in Rome include beer and a number of good aperitifs and digestifs including Martini, Campari and Aperol.

For hot drinks then Italians are known for their love of coffee and drink it strong, espresso style in a milky cappuccino or as a milk lovers dream as a cafelatte.

Soft drinks are widely available and consist of fruit juices, fizzy drinks or iced fruit flavoured teas. But if you want something totally au natural then try the water from the fountains that are scattered throughout the capital. This water is safe because of the constant supply of fresh drinking water which stems from the original aqueducts and pipe systems of Roman times. So it's a cheap and refreshing way to quench your thirst on the go!

When eating out it's good to have a few ides up your sleeve for when you arrive at least. You can chose to eat in a trattoria, where home cooked family fare is served, a ristorante where you get a more formal experience or an inn, known as an osteria, which has a little less choice in terms of food but can always be relied upon for ample supplies of wine! Pizzerias, of course serve great pizzas but they can also offer pasta, meat and vegetables so are worth checking out.

Here are some options you may want to consider:

•  Ditirambo - Specialises in organic food with a healthy and satisfying range of options on offer. Vegetarians will also be pleased to know that they are well catered for with a great selection of meat free dishes. And with all the pasta and bread homemade, the reasons to eat here just keep growing!
• Papa Baccus - A Tuscan themed restaurant with delicious rural food.
• Pizzeria da Baffetto - Lively, great value and popular with locals and tourists alike. Get your hands on the homemade pizzas to experience a slice of Rome!
• Renato e Luisa - A trattoria serving food with a French influence - try the yummy goat's cheese, walnuts and honey starter.

Shopping

As well as good food Italy is know for its excellent shopping, especially in fashion. Rome is one of the city's style centres and is home to a number of designer names such as Fendi, Laura Biagiotti, Prada and Valentino. Other shops to look out for in Rome include Bertè, a toy shop which has been established for many years in Rome and sells handmade toys and is a real treat for children (although it's worth noting it's not cheap).

Bulgari is the place to take that special someone if you want to impress. Regarded as highly as Cartier or Tiffany & Co you'll find a choice of luxury jewellery that makes the perfect present.

While diamonds may be a girl's best friend, shoes come a close second. Loco is home to trendy shoes that are stylish and bound to get admiring glances as you walk the streets of Rome in them. 

While Rome has a good selection of shops it's also worth checking out the number of markets to find authentic articles and great fresh produce. A selection of the best ones includes:

•  Campo de ‘Fiori - Come to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and flowers in the centre of Rome.
• Mercato dei Fiori - A flower market that's open on Tuesdays and offers beautiful flowers at low prices.
• Mercato delle Stampe - Here you'll be able to browse old books, prints and magazines.
• Nuovo Mercato Esquilino - A great place to come to get good value food and also get your hands on things from Africa and Asia.  
• Porta Portese - A popular flea market that attracts people from as far as Naples who have stalls here. Selling a range of items you'll have to be strong willed not to be tempted by anything!