The quantity of breathtaking sites in Rome is unequalled in any other city. To see them all would take a dedicated week of 8-hour site seeing days. Our Italy schedule allocated 4 days in Rome. Even after prioritizing the sites, we realized our time was insufficient.

A late afternoon arrival to Rome availed us an early evening walk near our hotel. In only a few hours, we walked past a myriad of stunning sites. On approaching the oval, statue studded, Egyptian obelisk-fountain centered Piazza del Popolo, we immediately sensed the grandness of the former Roman Empire preserved in Rome. We both agreed that Piazza del Popolo is our favorite piazza, and we returned daily. Proceeding south, we walked by the tourist infested Scalinata di Spagna (Spanish Steps) where Audrey Hepburn ate ice cream in "Roman Holiday". Further along we came to Piazza Colonna with an elaborately carved pillar (maybe 30 meters high?) telling a pictorial story as it spiraled upward. As we finished up our completely unplanned walk, we reflected on the splendor of these structures and returned to our hotel with anticipation of the wonders awaiting the next morning.

Stepping into the Basilica di San Pietro in the Vatican, one feels at the center of the universe. A treasure house of frescos, mosaics, and statues adorn its cavernous interior. Michelangelo's Pietà near the entrance is a marble masterpiece worthy of being the centerpiece of any reputable museum. The adjacent Musei Vaticani is a world-class museum. Cappella Sistina with one of the most famous set of religious frescos, the Creation and the Last Judgment painted by Michelangelo, is accessible through the museum. A word of warning: line up for the museum well ahead of the 08:30 opening time. When we arrived at opening time (thinking we'd beat the tour groups), the line was 1km long and took 1½ hours to reach the front entrance! Remember that shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed in the Vatican.

Other key sites in Rome we are glad we visited are: Piazza Navona with 3 fountains and artists selling their work, the Colosseo (Colosseum), the ancient Roman ruins of Foro Romano and Palatino, the Catacombs of San Callisto that stretch 20km underground, the mosaic covered interiors of Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, the Pantheon, and Fontana di Trevi where a coin tossed into the fountain over your shoulder while facing away ensures a future return to Rome. We definitely wish to return.