Rome, Italy

Arrive early before the crowds descend. The greatest amphitheater ever built — 50,000 spectators once watched gladiatorial combat here. An engineering marvel that still staggers visitors two millennia later.

Included with your Colosseum ticket. Walk the ancient road where Julius Caesar was assassinated and senators once debated the fate of the known world. Palatine Hill offers the best views over the Forum below.

The best-preserved ancient building on earth — not in ruins, not reconstructed, still standing. The oculus (the eye in the ceiling) has let in rain for 1,900 years and the drainage system still works.

Outdoor market in the mornings, buzzing piazza all day. The surrounding trattorias are a Roman staple — try Forno Campo de' Fiori for pizza al taglio (by the slice) before the crowds clear out.

The most visited fountain in the world, and for good reason. Throw a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand — legend says you'll return to Rome. Go now or return at 7AM tomorrow for fewer crowds.

135 steps climbing to the Trinità dei Monti church. The climb is worth it for the sweeping view over Rome's rooftops. Great spot to people-watch and catch your breath before dinner.

Rome's most atmospheric neighborhood after dark — cobblestone lanes, ivy-covered facades, and locals who actually live here. Eat at Da Enzo al 29 for old-school Roman cooking: cacio e pepe, coda alla vaccinara, artichokes. Cash only, arrive early — no reservations.

The most beloved aperitivo bar in Trastevere. Order a Negroni or Aperol Spritz and help yourself to the free spread of snacks and small bites. The crowd spills onto the street — perfect Roman evening.

One of the greatest collections in human history — Egyptian mummies, Greek sculptures, Renaissance maps, and then Michelangelo's ceiling. The Sistine Chapel is smaller than you expect, but the ceiling is larger than you imagine.

Free to enter — one of the most magnificent interiors on earth. Michelangelo's Pietà is here. Climb the dome for a panoramic view of Rome that you'll remember for the rest of your life. 551 steps or take the elevator partway.

Originally Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum, later converted into a papal fortress with a secret passageway from the Vatican. The exterior is impressive enough for a walkby — go inside if you have energy.

A modern Roman wine bar and trattoria near the Vatican — excellent natural wines, cicchetti (small bites), and proper pasta. More relaxed than the touristy spots around St. Peter's Square.

Take the Trenitalia regional train from Roma Ostiense — 1 hour 15 minutes through the Umbrian countryside. Orvieto sits on top of a volcanic plateau, accessible by funicular from the train station.

One of Italy's greatest Gothic cathedrals, with a facade so ornate it looks carved from gold. The interior Cappella di San Brizio contains Luca Signorelli's apocalyptic frescoes — they influenced Michelangelo before he painted the Sistine Chapel.

Beneath the streets is a labyrinth of caves, tunnels, and wells carved by Etruscans over 2,500 years ago — wine cellars, pigeon coops, olive oil mills. One of Italy's best-kept secrets.

Grab lunch in the old town (try a torta al testo — local flatbread sandwich) before taking the funicular back down to the station for your afternoon return to Rome.