Get the most out of the Roman summer at Estate Romana

While summer is traditionally a festival season in many international cities, only in Rome does the season have a dedicated name for its offerings. Head to Rome between June and September to lose yourself in the festivities of Estate Romana, which encompasses an eclectic range of activities taking place at venues across the historic city over the summer months.

From music concerts of all types to sport tournaments and children's shows, Estate Romana 2010 involves thousands of performers and comprises around 150 events in the theatres, galleries and public parks of the Eternal City, including popular concert venues such as Villa Celimontana and Piazza del Campidoglio.

As the Italian capital and a world-leading tourism destination in its own right, due both to its fascinating history and its contemporary offerings, Rome is an essential stop on the world tours of major music acts, and those travelling to the city this summer can see everything from Michael Jackson memorial tributes to rock legends like ZZ Top. Rock lovers will find themselves especially blessed when heading to the city throughout the month of July, when the Rock in Roma Festival showcases the loudest bands from 1 to 27 July.

That's not to ignore the city's own magnificent orchestras and operas either, which are a major attraction of Estate Romana. The city will even be hosting a Cabaret Festival on Oppio Hill, next to the striking coliseum, further demonstrating the broad appeal of Rome for visitors of all interests.

Fans of the silver screen won't be left out of the proceedings either, with open-air film screenings of the biggest blockbusters taking place in stunning locations such as Vittorio Emmanuele Square and Gianicolo Hill, so visitors can enjoy the Mediterranean heat. Nor does Rome's artistic tradition go amiss in the celebrations, with exhibitions from local and international artists at the city galleries as well as artists taking to the streets.

Whether you're keen to explore Rome's colourful past or its modern institutions, the Estate Romana events calendar has much to satisfy everyone thinking of taking flights to Rome this summer. Thanks to modern authors such as Dan Brown, whose novel Angels and Demons is set in the city, visitors can find guided tours around key locations from the book, while those who prefer a more historically accurate experience will find themselves spoiled for choice with top quality tours available in their native language around Rome's iconic sites and monuments.