Tours

The city of Rome contains so many historical jewels and interesting places to visit that it can even be difficult to see all the really famous sites. It may seem that on every block there is a breathtaking monument or fountain or stone ruins dating back to the Roman Empire. Despite the city's size and its many important destinations, most of Rome's major sites of interest are within walking distance, especially if you take breaks for espresso and gelato.

Colosseum & The Forum

The Palatine is the oldest part of the city and home to the many of the ancient sites. Heading the list of Rome's ancient monuments is, of course, the Colosseum. Constructed between 70 and 80 BCE, it is still the symbol of Rome and draws visitors from all over the world. Even if the lines are long, a tour of this archeological wonder is well worth it. If you get a chance to see it, the Colosseum and Constantine's Arch are lit magnificently at night. To the North of the Palatine hill are the vast remains of the Roman Forum, once the social, political, and economic center of the city. A classic with the "Dolce Vita" crowd of the 1950s, stop in at nearby Angelino ai Fori for fresh pasta, plenty of house wine and seafood delivered daily.

Pantheon, Trevi & Navona

The Pantheon, with its circular interior and open ceiling, was constructed by Marcus Agripps around 27 BCE and later rebuilt circa 125 CE. Colonna Traiana (Trajan's Column) can be easily missed, but stop to take a look at the intricately carved scenes that wind up the pillar; they tell incredible tales of battles and empire that have been studied by art history scholars for centuries. The restored Teatro di Marcello at one time had space for 20,000 people, and today a variety of concerts are organized here, (but the only way to get a peek inside is to attenda show).

Another one of Rome's famous landmarks is the Trevi Fountain, immortalized in Fellini's film La Dolce Vita. Although you are not allowed to wade through the fountain as Sylvia did, legend has it that throwing a coin in ensures a return trip to Rome. Nearby is the large, oval shaped Piazza Navona, which was once a Roman circus (hence its shape), but designated as a square in the 15th Century. Bernini's famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is located here, along with Fontana del Nettuno.

Piazza Campo de' Fiori is also close by. By day, the square hosts one of the most famous street markets in Italy, and is a popular meeting place for tourists as well as local youth during evening hours. The Spanish Steps or Scalinata Trinità dei Monti are another of Italy's most famous meeting places. They ascend steeply to Trinità dei Monti, a 16th-century church, and at their base is Piazza Spagna.

The center of the city offers several places to stop for a meal or a treat, like Il Giggetto, which serves traditional Roman Jewish fare (lots of artichokes!) or La Carbonara for delicious Roman dishes. Or, if you are looking for a snack, pick up a gelato at Il Gelato di San Crispino where you can try some of the best flavors in all of Rome.

Vatican

Many of the works that were uncovered during the original excavations can now be seen in the Palazzo Farnese and Vatican Museums. During the month of August, the ruins set the scene for a series of opera performances. Piazza San Pietro is one of the most visited places on Earth. People come from all over the world to see Saint Peter's Basilica and receive the Pope's blessing, traditionally given Sundays at noon. Leave plenty of time to tour the Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museums), which house numerous masterpieces, including Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Rapahel's School of Athens.

Just east of the Vatican on the Tiber River is Castel Sant'Angelo. Originally constructed as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in 139 CE, the fortress was used as a castle during the 10th Century and eventually as a papal residence. The last act of Puccini's masterwork Tosca took place here, and today the building has been turned into a museum. The Ponte Sant'Angelo stretches over the Tiber and was also constructed by Hadrian, intended to link the tomb with the center of Rome. Further down the river, Isola Tiberana features an interesting mishmash of historical architecture. The site of an ancient Greek temple dedicated to the god of medicine, the island is still considered a place of healing as it is home to a modern hospital. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the vicinity of the Vatican, but one particular spot to try is Osteria dell'Angelo, which serves traditional Roman cuisine or Tre Pupazzi for traditional, family-style Abruzzese fare.

Guided Tours

Archeobus (+39 06 6840901/ http://www.trambusopen.com/)
Sight Jogging (+39 347 335 3185/ http://www.sightjogging.it/ )
Time Elevator Experience (+39 06 9774 6243/ http://www.timeelevator.it/)
Cruiser Bike Tours (+39 055 2398855/ http://www.italycruiserbiketours.com)