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.

If you visit early, you are able to get very nice pictures in the front and you won't have to pay…read more I recommend 6am ish, we had great lighting and even if there was a small crowd you just wait your turn and can get good pictures without waiting too long. I think they clean the fountain on monday and friday mornings so avoid those days. Another thing to note is that I never felt like I was at risk with pickpockets. There was always enough room and no one was acting strange.

This was our first stop in Rome and to be honest it was the worst. The fountain itself is large…read moreand beautiful, but the mass and rows of tourists pushing to get their selfies and willing to stand in line and pay 2 Euros to get a selfie left a bad taste in my mouth. I refused to pay the 2 Euros and stand in the long line to get a self indulgent picture. Although Trevi fountain wide and impressive, I liked the 1651 Baroque Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) by Bernini at is at Piazza Navona better. One of those River Gods had some impressive, muscular thighs. 8-)

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.

Cool Piazza at the Northern City Wall and also a gateway to Villa Borghese. This piazza has an…read moreobelisk, two churches, two fountains and also restaurants. There is a huge shopping area with parallel streets of shops, one that goes to Piazza di Spagna, at the base of the Spanish Steps. Five Stars!

I came I saw and I conquered. Wow, what a great place is this blessed City. You could spend hours…read morein this area. Great restaurants and shopping too.

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.]

I loved coming here and walking along the bridge of angels over the Tiber River…read more Another must do when in Rome. Architecture is amazing, standing in the presence of this beauty is breathtaking Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as Mausoleum of Hadrian, is a towering rotunda in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The popes later used the building as a fortress and castle, and it is now a museum.

Castel Sant' Angelo along the Tiber River, is one of Rome's most captivating landmarks. The…read morestructure is huge and daunting. It was originally built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum nearly 2,000 years ago, the castle later became a fortress, a papal refuge, a prison, and eventually a museum.. What makes Castel Sant'Angelo especially memorable is the atmosphere. The thick stone walls, hidden passageways, and spiral ramps. The angel statue atop the castle gives the entire site a dramatic, almost theatrical presence.

The Spanish Steps are absolutely breathtaking!!…read more The Spanish Steps connect the Piazza di Spagna below with the stunning Trinità dei Monti church above. The Trinità dei Monti is worth a visit when you're here, it's full of history, artwork and phenomenal statues. The area around the Spanish Steps are chock full of fabulous restaurants and high end shops. The views from the top after climbing the 135 steps are glorious. You can see the Spanish embassy in the square below from the terraces above. We ate at a local Trattoria that did not disappoint. It has became a cultural hub for artists, writers and royalty. A luxury shopping landmark, and a quintessential symbol of Roman glamour, culture, and social life. I've been before and will come back. Such a sight to see and I LOVE Italy!!

The Spanish Steps were built between 1723 and 1725 to connect the Bourbon Spanish Embassy in Piazza…read moredi Spagna with the French church of Trinità dei Monti above. Thev steps were designed by architect Francesco de Sanctis, the staircase quickly became both a practical pathway and a grand public gathering place. The name "Spanish Steps" comes from the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, which gave the piazza its name centuries earlier. At the top sits the Trinità dei Monti church, while at the base is the famous Barcaccia Fountain, created by Pietro Bernini and his son, the legendary Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Over the centuries, the steps became a favorite meeting place for artists, writers, and travelers during Rome's Grand Tour era. Poets like John Keats spent time nearby, and today his former home beside the staircase is preserved as the Keats-Shelley House museum. Today, the Spanish Steps remain one of Rome's most iconic landmarks...a blend of Baroque elegance, history, fashion, and people-watching where Rome somehow manages to feel both glamorous and time less.

I'm a huge fan of old architecture, so this was pretty cool…read more It was close to the train station, so we stumbled onto it by accident. It wasn't crowded, but it was a nice stop. If you're in the area, it's a pretty cool spot.

It's a small fountain located at the Piazza Barberini, conveniently outside the subway station…read more It's less crowded than most other fountains.

This was one of my least favorite things to do on my trip. This is very much a museum and I don't…read moretypically love museums. There is much history here but I didn't love it. One of my frustrations is that I had a guided tour that was very expensive where combined with other attractions and it was a rip-off. You could save some cash and walk through yourself although one advantage with the guided tour was a priority line. Three stars for me.

My boss told me one of his favorites was the Vatican when he went to Italy last year so I couldn't…read morewait for Lisa and I to visit. We met with our amazing tour guide Roberta and headed in. First thing we explored was a replica of Michelangelo's Pieta. This is the closest you are able to get to it and see all the details as the original is protected in St. Peter's Basilica. Next we viewed artwork that represented how to get to heaven and how to get to hell, including Raphael's transfiguration which was his last piece and Caravaggio's the entombment of Christ. We moseyed through the different parts and were in awe of the sculptures, ceilings and just all the great history in this magnificent place. Of course the Sistine Chapel was magnificent and you'll have to come and see for yourself as pictures are not allowed.