Rome was our first exposure to Italy, and what an exposure it was! So much to see, do and taste throughout this city, and also the city to blame for our new tasty addiction – gelato. It is fairly easy to get around in Rome, however the city is quite spread out, so it will require a bit of planning in order to see many of the most popular sights. Like every visit to Italy, ideally the goal would be to spend a long and leisurely time exploring and then relaxing with a glass of wine in one of the picture perfect cafes, but if on a shorter time schedule our usual recommendation of the hop on/off bus applies.
The Colosseum 
the inside of the Colosseum
outside of the Colosseum
Unfortunately this is one of the places where my pictures don’t capture the massive size or detail of this amazing structure. Also one of the places where you are awestruck about so many things – mainly – how on earth did this ever get built??? This is one of the places that I highly recommend you pre purchase tickets, especially during peak times, and a walking tour with a guide is definitely worthwhile. There are several different ticket options depending on what you are wanting, click here for more information.
Piazza Navona
All throughout Rome you will find piazzas (meaning public squares or marketplaces), but I would have to say that my favourite is Piazza Navona. Here you will find the Fountain of Neptune as well as many cafes, and artists.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of Rome’s most well preserved buildings. It used to be a Roman temple but was changed over to a Christian church, which it remains today.
The Spanish Steps
Hmmm, so much for low season (end of October)! If you look closely (through all of the crowds), you will see the Spanish Steps, * note I tried to wait for a crowd to clear for a picture, but it never did while I was there.
The Trevi Fountain
No visit to Rome would be complete without a visit (and coin toss) at the Trevi Fountain. It is said that by throwing a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder (while facing away from the fountain), that you will one day return to Rome. It is also said that by throwing a second coin, you will find your true love.
The Vatican
Whether you are Catholic or not, the Vatican is definitely worth seeing, but let me go back and explain (just in case you didn’t know). The Vatican Museum, as well as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica are located within the world’s smallest state (in size and in population), Vatican City State. It is surrounded by Rome and is ruled by the Pope.
As you can see by the crowds in my pictures, if visiting the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel is something you want to do it is highly recommended that you prebook your tickets here – the lines to get in can be very long. Also you must go through the Vatican Museum to get to the Sistine Chapel. It’s kind of like the Sistine Chapel is the grand finale of the Vatican tour. Pictures may be taken throughout the Vatican (I have no idea why I don’t have any???), however they are very strict about any type of photo being taken in the Sistine Chapel. Oh and yes, it is absolutely amazing and definitely worth a visit!
