Something about this city is too much to handle. You never quite get over the disbelief of being there. One minute your marveling at the extreme speed the cars whip through the streets and the next you are sitting on the edge of a fountain, thousands of years old, contemplating what it would take to move to Rome permanently. I have been to Rome twice and the two trips seemed to derive from different worlds. The experiences were singular and incomparable. It is an enormous city, it is an ancient city, a romantic city, a busy city, a frightening city but most of all it is a sensuous city and one that you need to experience in your lifetime.
Top Ten Rome
10) The colosseum: I have had friends exclaim when they first enter the Colosseum "I thought it would be bigger" of course at one time it was larger, but these comments always amaze me. If it is a clear day there is nothing more breathtaking than the top rise of structure against that cobalt Italian sky. It is worth the admission price and it is worth stopping by a second time when the sun has gone down so you can see it lit up in all its glory as moped swirl around its exterior.
Top Ten Rome
10) The colosseum: I have had friends exclaim when they first enter the Colosseum "I thought it would be bigger" of course at one time it was larger, but these comments always amaze me. If it is a clear day there is nothing more breathtaking than the top rise of structure against that cobalt Italian sky. It is worth the admission price and it is worth stopping by a second time when the sun has gone down so you can see it lit up in all its glory as moped swirl around its exterior.
9) The Roman Forum and the Capitoline Hill: There is too much to see. Rome is truly best visited when the weather is nice, but that usually mean visiting during the peak tourist season, but I would suggest going slightly off season, either in the fall or early spring for no other reason than to walk through the forum when there aren't swarms of people. It will still be amazing if you are elbow to elbow with strangers walking around the giant, freeze-framed, half deconstructed area, but it will be breathtaking if you can take your time, sit down on a worn piece of marble and simply walk around like it was any old part of the city.
8)The Vatican and Sistine Chapel: The smarted thing I have ever done in my life was to buy tickets in advance online for almost every major attraction I visited in Rome. The second time I visited the city It was during Easter and I bought advance tickets to see the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum and you simply walk around a mile long line of people waiting on the streets and get right in! There are no cameras allowed inside, but I would recommend bring a small pair of binoculars to view the spectacular details on the ceiling. Another must while you are in the Vatican city is to send a postcard from the Vatican post office (it is its own country after all) and your card will be stamped from the Vatican and not Italy. 
7) The fountains,: Of course the Trevi is the most famous. It is a bit hard to find, but don't worry you will get there. Besides the Trevi there are hundreds of other glorious fountains incredibly famous sculptors just lining the sidewalks.
6) Bernini: If one sculptor has a monopoly over Rome it may just be Bernini. He has some of the best known pieces of art in the city from the provocative "Ecstacy of St. Theresa"and "Rape of Persephone" to the lesser known "Blessed Ludovica Albertoni" situated in the quiet San Francesco a Ripa church. I went on a mad hunt for this last sculpture my final hours in Rome before flying back to Hungary. My friend and I finally found it and determined to see the work we burst into the church midday to discover the pews filled with nuns attending afternoon mass. We caught a quick glimpse of the statue and a last look at the true Rome before sneaking out unnoticed. 
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