In 2010, I had the opportunity to see the beautiful city of Rome. Beautiful really is an understatement, the beauty of this city is truly second to none!

So what is there to do here? Plenty. Here’s a list of my top 5 best things to do in Rome:

Go Back in History with the Ancient Roman Ruins 

• Colosseum – This is a staple must-see while in Rome! The colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built. It is estimated it could hold approximately 50,000 – 80,000 spectators. Although partially ruined because of damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is still an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions.

• The Forum – This is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. It was  the center of Roman public life, where they held triumphal processions and elections, public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Forum today is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations attracting 4.5 million sightseers yearly.

• Pantheon – The Pantheon is a former Roman temple, now a church. It is one of the best-preserved of all ancient Roman buildings and sees about 6 million visitors a year. The Pantheon is still use in use today, as a church, which masses are held on Sunday. Sometimes they hold weddings there too. This is a definite must-see while in Rome!

Mangia Mangia! – When in Rome, there are so many things to eat – from pasta, to pizza, to wine, to San Benedetto Iced teas and of course, the famously delicious gelato! Anything your stomach desires is within reach and everything is warm, delicious and reasonably priced.

Make A Wish In The Trevi Fountain – The Trevi fountain is one of the most famous & beautiful fountains in the world. Wishes can be made by tossing coin in your right hand over your left shoulder. By wishing in this fashion, it ensures that you will come back to Rome! About 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain a day.

Climb Up The Spanish Steps – These steps were built in 1723 and there are 135 of them. This is a great place to take a nap or people watch and it is one of the most romantic spots in Rome.

Take A Day Trip To The Vatican City – The Vatican City is a country within Rome. At 110 acres and 1,000 people, it is the smallest state in the world in both area and population. Within Vatican City are religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. They feature some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures. Vatican City Fun Fact: More wine is drank in the Vatican City than anywhere else in the world… so don’t be shy, guys! 😉 Entering the Vatican City is pretty much like entering another country… you will have to wait on a queue and they will search your bags but unlike going to another country, they will not stamp your passport. It is free to enter the country but to the enter the museums they will charge a fee.

We hope you enjoyed our Rome blog. This is only a small list of many thing to see and do in the city. If you’re feeling like just relaxing, the cafes are a great little way to get some food and chill. Unlike NYC, they don’t try and kick you out.. so you can literally just sit all day and get lost in the sights.

Til next time… Viva Roma!