So sad the Piazza Venezia and its' surrounding area was under construction during the time of our…read morevisit. This is one of the most iconic and central squares in Rome, and I can even see some of its' elegance peeking out from behind the construction area.

A must stop if you're looking for free things to do. There are options to pay like they have a…read moremuseum and some other stuff otherwise you could totally walk through the piazza completely free. Many picture areas and has bathrooms, though it was crowded.

When we were in Vatican City in the afternoon, we skipped the plaza. We came back in the early…read moreevening and it was much less crowded. The square is directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica. Both are named after Saint Peter, an apostle of Jesus whom Catholics consider the first Pope. There is an obelisk in the center and 284 columns that create the elliptical shape of the square.

This is the area around the Vatican…read more It's gorgeous! I absolutely love the fountains and statues in this area. So much amazing architecture. When you step into this piazza, I feel like you get a sense of the Holy Spirit. I mean, how can you not when you are so close to the Vatican? There's a peaceful atmosphere here.

Any student of history will appreciate the Roman forum which was the center for the majority of all…read morethe official and major activities that incurred in ancient Rome to include speeches, debate, gladiator fights in some instances, and even the return of victorious armies and new Caesars that you see in so many movies. When I saw the ruins and what was left of the forum I had assumed that this magnificent epicenter of old Rome had been ransacked and destroyed when the Roman empire fell. In fact and unfortunately, it's slowly fell into disrepair and ruins the direct result of lack of maintenance and care by the Roman people and government over time. In addition to the remaining structural ruins and statues that currently reside here you will find placards scattered about these ruins that explain the history of the forum and what each significant ruin stood for and was used for. Very educational and not to be missed as this clearly was one of the most significant ancient centers of the old world.

So much history here. It was hard for me to imagine what once was an empire to be neglected into…read moreruins but that is what happens when empires fall and there is no money for maintenance. People pillaged and plundered these buidings and repurposed the material to build other things elsewhere. This is located right next to the colosseum and you can get a combined admission ticket to see both. FYI that there are metal detectors and scanners at the security checkpoint. I got a lot of steps in that day! Many of the paths here to not connect so need to double-back much of the time. Five stars!

This is the location where Gabriel Allon, the fictional Israeli spy/assasin created by the famed…read morewriter Daniel Silva, executed the Palestinian terrorist Wadal Zwaiter. In Silva's long series of Gabriel Allon thrillers, Zwaiter was one of the 12 terrorists that kidnapped and murdered 11 Israeli sportsmen taking part in the 1972 Munich Olympics. In the scene so dramatically created by Silva, Zwaiter (who has been hiding for years from Israel's revenge operation code name Wrath of God) was returning to his apartment in Piazza Annibaliano carrying a grocery bag late at night. As he was reaching for the button of the elevator, Allon approached as asked "Excuse me, but are you Wadal Zwaiter?" Sensing his cover blown, Zwaiter pleaded "No! Please, no!" With that, Allon coldly fired 11 shots into Zwaiter. His grocery bag dropped to the floor before his limp body, breaking a bottle of red wine he had purchased earlier. His consciousness faded away as his blood was slowly mixing with the wine.

Buy a ticket online before you come, since we went by several times and there was always a long…read moreline. If you already have your online ticket, there was a very short line to the left to get inside. The Pantheon was built originally as a Roman temple and later changed into a church in the 7th century, so it is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Rome. The Oculus, circular opening at the top of the dome lets in light and rain. The ceiling above is a work of art. Statues and art around the perimeter also delight the eyes. You can even pray at the pews in front of the altar. Inside, tombs of Raphael, Victor Emmanuel II, and Umberto I and others. Next to the Sistine Chapel, this was one of the most crowded places we visited.

In a city overflowing with ancient landmarks, the Pantheon is standout! The sheer height and girth…read moreof the structure is awe-inspiring. The building has survived nearly 2,000 years while empires, wars, and centuries. This structure was completed around 126 AD and still stands strong today. The pantheon speaks to craftsmanship and the importance of great work.

Trevi Fountain is a large Baroque fountain is known for its detailed sculptural composition,…read moredramatic water flow, and dense crowds gathered in the small piazza surrounding it. The fountain sits embedded into the facade of a building, creating a stage like setting where the architecture and water structure feel tightly integrated into the urban environment. The fountain itself is highly detailed, with layered stone figures and strong water movement that draws attention immediately toward the center. The viewing area is limited by surrounding barriers and the narrow square, which creates a constant flow of people shifting positions to get a better view or photo. I found myself squeezing between groups just to find a clear sightline. The experience changes depending on timing and access. At busier times, like when I visited, the space felt compressed with limited room to pause directly in front of the fountain. There is also a regulated lower viewing area that requires a small entry fee. I decided to pay it, and that brought me closer to the base of the fountain, changing the perspective of the sculptures and water completely. From down there, the details in the stonework and the force of the water felt much more immediate. Early or late visits shift the atmosphere noticeably. I imagine with fewer people, the fountain would allow for a quieter, more reflective view of the structure.

The Trevi fountain was crowded...super crowded...for good reason. The fountain is extremely…read moredetailed, with cascading water and towering statues. Visitors and locals took part in the tradition of tossing a coin over their shoulder into the fountain for good luck. Trevi Fountain encapsulatesits beauty, drama, and romance of Rome. Absolutely spectacular...one of our favorite Rome landmarks!

Yet another review, I'd meant to post:…read more Surrounded by a beautiful piazza, Colonna di Marco Aurelio is easy to miss. But don't. The towering marble column in Piazza Colonna is packed with intricate carvings detailing the emperor's military campaigns. It's like a 2nd-century novel spiraling to the sky. No crowds. Gorgeous details. You can't climb it, but you can admire it. A quick and unforgettable stop!

"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one."…read more-Marcus Aurelius This massive 97 foot tall column dates back to at least 193 AD and was built to honor Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. It tells the story of the Marcomannic wars from 172 to 175. The column stands in the center of Piazza Colonna and at night, it is beautifully lit. I did not have the opportunity to return during the daytime but was still able to appreciate the majesty and craftsmanship of the column that is now close to 2000 years old. Amazing. [Review 19194 overall - 349 in Italy - 164 of 2023.]

Loved it. Nestled just a short stroll from Roma Termini, Tierra de la Repubblica welcomes travelers…read morewith grandeur both timeless and theatrical. The square is crowned by the Fountain of the Naiads where bronze nymphs dance in a mist of Roman legend. Michelangelo's hand lingers in the basilica walls nearby. This nearby realm of order, elegance and wide Roman boulevards is a nice segue way. Not far, Via Nazionale offers decent cafés and a true sense of the Eternal City's rhythm. For those arriving travel weary, it is a graceful entrance to a Roman adventure. And as they say in Rome, "When in doubt follow the guy yelling on a Vespa, he's either late for espresso or leading you to something historic." Either way, you're in for an experience. LOLZSIES!

Historical landmark fountain in the center of a roundabout. It's beautiful and old and still…read morefunctioning. Wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but happening upon it was not disappointing by any means.