Supporters arriving in Rome today for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final have been welcomed by blue skies and blazing sunshine. uefa.com Editorial Manager Massimo Gonnella, who has close ties with the Eternal City, gives his impression of the Italian capital and offers tips for those visiting this week.

Wherever you go and whatever you see, every corner of this monumental town has its place in the evolution of western civilisation. Rome's history spans more than 2,500 years and the town is characterised by hundreds of little squares (piazze), inter-connected by narrow alleys (vicoli). Every time you turn a corner you discover something new. No matter how small or narrow these passageways are, the Romans somehow manage to drive through in any sort of noisy, smelly or obsolete vehicle. Sometimes you wonder if there are more cars than humans. Constant traffic jams put almost everything in chaos which is part of Rome's way of life.

To get a taste of Rome go for a walk in the historical centre, sit down at a terrace café, order an espresso and 'inhale' the atmosphere. But don't expect to visit everything in a couple of days. It's not possible. However, don't miss the Colosseum, the biggest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire. Take the Via dei Fori Imperiali to Piazza Venezia. Here the huge white Victor Emmanuel monument, built after World War I and nicknamed 'typewriter' by residents, holds the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Opposite you will see Palazzo Venezia from whose balcony Benito Mussolini liked to make speeches.

From there you can go to Piazza Navona, one of the nicest squares in town and hugely popular during hot summer nights. Or you can walk towards the iconic Trevi Fountain. Don't forget to throw a coin in - the saying goes that it guarantees you will return to Rome. So far it has worked for me. From there it's a couple of minutes to Piazza di Spagna with its famous Spanish Steps, a must see for tourists. Look out for the glamorous shops on Via Condotti, one of the most expensive and exclusive shopping streets in the world.

Food will surely cause you few headaches. For small pangs of hunger, try a typical "pizza al taglio" (takeaway pizza). Otherwise choose any trattoria, possibly off the tourist routes, and enjoy the local specialities: start with an "antipasto romano" (mixed appetisers), then "bucatini all'amatriciana" (pasta with pig neck bacon), "abbacchio al forno" (roasted suckling lamb with potatoes) or "saltimbocca alla romana" (veal cutlets with prosciutto and sage). Buon appetito!

The omnipresence of the Catholic Church both influences day-to-day living and impacts on Rome's nightlife, although there are plenty of pubs, nightclubs and discos. In summer Romans prefer to gather on a "piazza" to have a chat - yes, Italians love talking! Young people traditionally meet at Campo dei Fiori, a popular square ringed by bars and cafés. Or go to Trastevere - the Roman equivalent of Paris's Latin Quarter - a medieval area on the west bank of the Tiber with numerous bars, pubs and restaurants. All roads lead to Rome!