More than just a city, the Vatican is actually the world's smallest independent sovereign state, established by the Lateran Treaties in 1929. It is ruled by the Pope and covers an area of just 108 acres / 43 hectares. Close to the right bank of the River Tiber, the Vatican City has its own civil and judicial systems, post office, bank, newspaper, radio station, supermarket and railway station. Often referred to as the Holy See, the most popular places to visit include St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

The Pope usually gives a public audience at 11:00 every Wednesday, and if you wish to attend you should apply at the nearby Prefetura della Casa Pontifica on the day before.

Vatican Gardens (Giardini del Vaticano) - Rome, Italy
These beautfiul gardens can only be seen with a guided tour and this should be booked at the tourist office, at least 24 hours ahead. The Vatican Gardens contain monuments, fountains, grottoes and forticifications, dating from the 9th century to the present day. There are many styles of garden, all immaculate and maintained by 30 full-time gardeners. Gardens include a formal Italian garden, a French garden filled with flowers, a romantic English landscape and a small wooded area. Covering 40 acres / 16 hectares, tours take place on Monday, Tuesday, Thurday, Friday and Saturday from March to October, and at other, less frequent times for the rest of the year. Regulations prohibit photography in the gardens.

The VaticanSt. Peter's Basilica / Church (San Pietro in Montorio) - Piazza San Pietro, Rome 00193
Tel: +39 (0) 6 98853 18
First opened in 326 AD, this great temple stands over the tomb of St. Peter, the founder of the Church of Rome. It was torn down during the Renaissance, to make way for a grand basilica which took around 150 years to complete. The dome, which dominates the church, was designed by Michelangelo and you can reach the top by using an elevator and stairs, where there are some stunning panoramic views of the city, from over 100 metres / 328 feet high. The church contains a number of well-known works, including the canopy over the high altar, a majestic creation by Bernini, the gilt bronze Chair of St. Peter, the monument to Clement XIII by Canova, and Michelangelo's famous 'Pietà', a wonderful marble sculpture. The Basilica is nowadays 187 metres / 613 feet long and 132 metres / 432 feet high and is the heart of Christianity. The cavernous interior holds a staggering 60,000 people for services and blessings