We have visited Rome twice. The first time was a whirlwind day as part of a Mediterranean cruise. As fast paced as that day was I do remember two things very vividly. We had lunch at an outdoor café under black lace umbrellas to shade us from the midday sun, ate a plate of pasta, drank a glass of wine and watched people jostling past on the sidewalk. After that we walked a couple of blocks in an indeterminate direction to find ourselves at the Trevi Fountain. We heard the rush of the water a block away and the dull roar of excited tourists grew in volume as we drew closer. It is one of Rome’s most crowded, noisy and on that day blistering hot tourist sites. Designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762 the fountain forms the back drop for a scene of Neptune riding aboard his chariot. It was glorious.
According to legend tossing a coin over your shoulder into the fountain will guarantee a return visit to the Eternal City. Although I am not sure if I believed in that stuff I had already fallen in love with Rome and knew I wanted to come back. I found two nickels in the bottom of my backpack to toss over our shoulders, and nickels not because we are cheap but because they have beavers on them and are essentially Canadian. What could it hurt?
It worked. We returned about two years later for a four night stay. I took a whole roll of nickels with us on that trip and threw one in every fountain we passed. It worked again. We are going back to Rome in May. Trust me, I will have more nickels.
I would love to believe that is why we have managed to include a visit to Rome in most of our European holidays but the truth is it is an amazing city. Even if you are not enthralled with the depth of its ancient civilization, its rich food and wine culture, the centuries of art or its significance to the Christian religion you can still find so much about Rome to love.
Because we had the time to really explore the city we included in our itinerary all of the important sites, the Coliseum and Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum, the Pantheon, Spanish Steps and of course the Trevi Fountain. Be sure you check all of those off your list. 
Then start on a new must see list which should include the interesting museums, galleries and churches scattered throughout Rome. Our favourite was the Borghese Gallery, stocked with Baroque art and statues. Every fan of the work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini should visit the Borghese. From there stroll through the Villa Borghese Gardens to enjoy, as the Italians do, this beautifully lush green space. The poignant notes of a classical score followed us most of the way without us being able to find the source. You should end up in Piazza del Popolo and head south if you want great shopping.
Churches display amazing works of art, sculptures, and religious icons lit by glowing rainbows of
stained glass. Stop in as many as you can. Art was created to be viewed by the common person in church, rich with biblical stories to teach lessons when written language was inaccessible, and where you can enjoy it as well.
Take the pilgrims stroll across the Ponte Sant’Angelo Bridge, used during the Middle Ages to connect St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Vatican to the rest of Rome. Stop to admire more Bernini-designed statues, and get some great photos of Tiber River and its surrounding neighbourhood.
Make your way to Campo de’Fiori in the morning for fresh fruit and vegetables at the market and return later to have a glass of wine and watch tourists and Italians alike enjoy the night life. These are just some suggestions but know there is so much more.
In between each of these great stops are streets filled with life. Tiny restaurants with hand written menus, piazzas teeming with people, laundry hanging from third story balconies and flowers spilling from everywhere. That is Rome.