Con 1: Mad Dogs and Englishmen

The natives are fleeing in droves because of the heat. Temperatures are regularly over 30° in July and August and sweat patches do so ruin your holiday snaps. Passing out with heat stroke whilst viewing countless ruins is also not going to look good on your facebook page.

Pro 2: Low Season Deals

Many hotels will offer discounted rates in mid summer to fill their empty rooms. Cover your body in ice cream and snap up some great bargains. You can even afford air conditioning now.

Con 2: Tourist Season Hikes

Given that most people have to take their annual holiday between July and August your friends at the airline and travel companies hike up their prices depriving you of many a well earned nutella pizza. An extra hundred Euros for leaving a week later? Oh, the holiday in my heart has already begun.

Pro 3: The Best of Both Worlds

Even if you're based in the city, Rome is only 10 miles away from the coast so you can still get some sea breeze on your face.

Con 3: It's Vulgar

No self-respecting Roman stays in the city for the summer. If you're going to be in Italy at this time you need to be sitting on a yacht wearing sunglasses bigger than the life buoy.

To keep abreast of what's happening in Rome pay a visit to our What's On page once a month, where we list the biggest art exhibitions, concerts, festivals and other special events gracing the Eternal City. For sporting events, including news about the city's two top football teams, Roma and Lazio, check out our Events page.

If you're looking for advice and recommendations, we'd recommend hunting out the ex-pat community and tapping into their wealth of local knowledge. Most of the Irish Pubs in the city are clustered around the area between Termini and the Colosseum while Campo de'Fiori and Trastevere are usually easy places to find a familiar voice.

If you really want to push the boat out during your trip and enjoy the ultimate in pampering and relaxation, why not book a few hours at one of Rome's fine spas? Whether you would like a simple facial, a romantic tandem massage with your other half or a bit of reflexology, there is a large selection to choose from across the city.

Finally, don't just take our advice - visit online city guides such as TimeOut and Wanted in Rome for plenty of useful resources and remember, before you book your accommodation, check them out on Tripadvisor!