Roma O’ Roma

When people ask my favorite place, I always say my favorite big city is Rome. The Amalfi Coast hold’s my heart, but Rome has my loyalty — a city that never disappoints, where history and modern life intertwine on cobblestones laid two millennia ago.

We arrived through bumper-to-bumper traffic toward the towering city walls. Passing through one of the eighteen ancient gates felt like slipping into another time. Smooth asphalt gave way to the rhythmic vibration of cobblestones, and Rome immediately revealed its character: fountains, statues, and buildings that seemed too magnificent to be real.  Soon, we would tour this magnificent city.

Mark, who had been here before, led us past landmarks like the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and St. Peter’s dome, while the scents of garlic, coffee, and fresh leather drifted from every corner. Gelato carts and pizzerias tempted at every turn, but the true seduction was the architecture — Renaissance façades beside medieval walls, fountains spilling from baroque sculptures, and streets layered with history.

A carriage tour deepened the immersion. We circled the Forum, stood in the shadow of the Colosseum, and gazed across the vast Circus Maximus imagining chariots thundering past. Above it rose Palatine Hill with the Emperor’s Palace; nearby, aqueducts whispered the ingenuity of Roman engineers.

In the Forum itself, surrounded by the ruins of temples, basilicas, and government halls, I felt the pulse of the ancient empire. Each stone hinted at a daily life both ordinary and extraordinary. From there we moved to the Trevi Fountain — suddenly appearing in a tight square of surrounding buildings — where legend demanded a coin toss to ensure my return.

The afternoon unfolded into the Pantheon’s perfect symmetry, the open embrace of St. Peter’s Square, and the layered history of the Vatican. We learned of the secret “Passetto di Borgo” passageway to Castel Sant’Angelo, a cylindrical fortress once Hadrian’s mausoleum and later a papal refuge.

That night, Mark led us through candlelit alleys to my first true Roman dinner — handmade pasta in a rich San Marzano tomato sauce — and the next day to Rome’s leather markets, fragrant with craftsmanship. We wandered piazzas from Navona to Campo de’ Fiori, tasted our first authentic Neapolitan pizza, and watched the city’s daily rhythm unfold.

Rome cannot be “done” in a single trip — perhaps not even in a lifetime. But that first visit, with its whirlwind of sights, scents, and stories, sealed my conviction: I will always return

My Synopsis of Rome

Overview
Rome is a living museum where ancient monuments, Renaissance masterpieces, and modern life coexist within the same streets. From its 18 ancient gates to its maze of piazzas, fountains, and cobblestone lanes, the city offers endless discoveries — even for repeat visitors.

Key Landmarks & Experiences

City Walls & Gates – Entering through one of Rome’s gates is like stepping back centuries; the modern road instantly turns to cobblestones laid by Roman engineers.

Colosseum – The world’s largest ancient amphitheatre, built in 72–80 AD, once hosted gladiator battles, animal hunts, and public spectacles for up to 80,000 spectators.

Circus Maximus – The vast chariot-racing stadium could seat 150,000, with the ruins of the Emperor’s Palace overlooking it from Palatine Hill.

Roman Forum – The heart of ancient Rome’s politics, religion, and commerce. Walking among its basilicas, temples, and arches reveals where the empire was governed.

Trevi Fountain – An 18th-century Baroque masterpiece marking the endpoint of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct. Tossing a coin over your shoulder is said to guarantee a return to Rome.

Pantheon – A perfectly preserved Roman temple with the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, still in use as a church today.

Vatican City – The world’s smallest country, home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and the Egyptian obelisk of St. Peter’s Square.

Castel Sant’Angelo – Originally Hadrian’s mausoleum, later a papal fortress connected to the Vatican by the secret “Passetto di Borgo” passageway.

Piazzas – Piazza Navona’s fountains and Baroque churches; Campo de’ Fiori’s market by day and nightlife by night; Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps; and Piazza del Popolo, once the city’s grand northern entry point.

Local Flavors & Shopping

Cuisine – Neapolitan pizza, handmade pasta with San Marzano tomato sauce, and artisanal gelato are must-tries.

Leather Goods – Rome’s markets and boutiques offer jackets, bags, and accessories crafted with traditional methods and rich fragrance.

Travel Tip
Rome rewards slow exploration. Many historic districts are pedestrian-only, so walking tours and carriage rides are ideal for absorbing the city’s layered history. Even multiple visits will only scratch the surface — the city reveals something new each time.

Rome is a city where every stone tells a story — from the grandeur of the Colosseum to the intimate charm of hidden piazzas. Within a single walk, you can stand in St. Peter’s Square, follow the Vatican’s secret “Passetto” passage to Castel Sant’Angelo, and end your day savoring authentic Neapolitan pizza under a Roman sunset. History here isn’t locked behind glass; it’s alive in the streets, flavors, and traditions that make the Eternal City a place you’ll never truly finish exploring.