I'm trying to figure out what would be the best way to go about seeing the following. Can anyone help me layout an order that might work? Now i've only got one day in the city, so some things will have to be cut.. But here is the list

Piazza di Spagna
Trevi fountain
Piazza del popolo
St Peters and the Vatican
Colosseum
Pantheon
Sistine Chapel
Capitoline Museum
Vittorio Emanuele Building

So out of those (or any other landmarks that are must sees that i left off), what would be the best order to see them?

I'd suggest seeing the following at night:
Pantheon - get there right around sunset when it is still open, then have dinner or drinks.

Trevi Fountain - can be seen on same night as Pantheon as it is close by. If you don't see this at night the first time, you will make a special trip to do so.

You could easily hit Spanga and Popolo before going to the two of the above. I might also add Piazza Novana as a must see and one that is good for evening dinner or drinks. We walked on average about 4 miles per day and got to the point where walking from Villa Borghese to the Pantheon was no big deal.

Thanks for the route idea.. We will be there during the day though.. I'd love to see the city at night though...

Only one day and no evenings? Here's what I suggest...

Begin at the Piazza del Popolo, the historic entrance to Rome for pilgrims. From there, take one of the two streets of "The Trident", either the central one, Via del Corso, or the leftmost one, Via del Babuino (sp?) which will lead you directly to Piazza di Spagna. (If you take Via del Corso, cut over to the pizza at Via Condotti, which leads you to the bottom of the Spanish Steps.)

From Piazza di Spagna, walk south just a short disatnce to the Trevi Fountain. Then head west on Via della Muratte which will cross Via del Corso, change names and, a short distance later, lead you into the northern edge of the Piazza della Rotonda (where the Pantheon dramatically resides.)

That's four of nine.

Exit the Piazza della Rotonda either via the Via di Seminario (on the southeast corner) and pass by Sant' Ignazio, with its very cool trompe l'oeil dome, or else walk south alongside the eastern flank of the Pantheon so you can see Bernini's whimsical obelisk-on-an-elephant in front of the Santa Maria sopra Minerva (the only Gothic church in Rome, I believe, and one which has a gorgeous deep blue ceiling.) In either case, make your way a few blocks east back to Via del Corso and then take this south to the Vittorio Emmanuele monument.

From the monument (great views from the upper level!), head to the nearby Colosseum either along Mussolini's busy and wide Via dei Fori Imperali (if you don't have time for the Capitoline Museum), or else take a longer route through the Forum, after climbing up Michaelangelo's impressive staircase to the Campidoglio and paying a visit to the Capitoline Museum.

Seven down, two to go.

Finally, since there's a metro stop at the Colosseum, save time by taking the subway to the closest stop near the Vatican (a few blocks north), Ottaviano. From here, depending on the time, you can choose to head to the entrance to the Vatican Museums (which includes the Sistine Chapel) or walk a bit further to St. Peter's and marvel at both the piazza the vast interior of the basilica. If you have time, try to go to the top of the dome, outside, for a stunning view.

Good luck and have fun!

Thank you very, very much for this route!

Does anyone know of a good printable map online of rome? Or is it better to get one from a bookstore?

Try www.multimap.com. It is zoomable.

With the layouts i've been given, it is logical to say that i really dont need to hire a driver in Rome, right? Walking would be just fine.. am i correct here? I've got just one day, so i guess we'll get in about 4-5 miles then right?

Yes, ray. You can walk or take the bus or metro.

Metro map is at http://www.metropla.net/eu/rom/roma.htm


Bus routes at
http://www.atac.roma.it/