I think *most 1st time travelers thru Italy only have a limited time for Rome (4-5 days). With the Fantastic wealth of info on this site, it would be very helpful to see a 'Top 10 Ranking' for planning the 1st trip to Rome.

Great idea. I am leaving in one week for the first to Rome. I would welcome any gudiance.

I am certianly not an experienced Rome traveller but have some suggestions based on my trip last April.<BR><BR>1. Vatican Museums, get there early, and get the audio tour.<BR><BR>2. Forum, take your own detailed guidebook, you'll need it!<BR><BR>3. Colluseum, great combo with Forum, you'll need your own detailed guidebook here too!<BR><BR>4. People watching from a cafe near the Pantheon, have a drink and enjoy!<BR><BR>5. La Carbonera, at the Campo di Fiore, make a reservation and enjoy a very diverse menu in a vibrant plaza! I think my husband had some sort of boar meat and the menu had lamb's brains on it.... It also had very traditional Italian choices too!<BR><BR>6. Obviously, St Peter's by day AND by night! The American College seminarians give free tours of St. Peter's every afternoon. Very worth contacting them to get the time to meet in the square.<BR><BR>7. IF you can get tickets, the Scavi Office of th Vatican runs tours under St. Peter's of the excavations of the prior structures that ther Basilica is built on and the believed grave of St. Peter. Tickets are hard to get, 10 people per group, restricted times, contact the Scavi Office of the Vatican to inquire, a highlight of my trip!<BR><BR>8. Papal audiences on Wednesdays. Hotels often have tickets for general attendance. Go early and select a seat near a white baracade for best view of the Pope as he drives through the crowds. If you are a Newlywed make sure you inquire with the American reserved seating area very near the Pope, and if you wear your wedding clothes you can get an individual Papal blessing after the Audience just the two of you!<BR><BR>9. View for the cupola of St. Peter's. Not near the effort as it is to climb the Duomo in Florence and view quite rewarding!<BR><BR>10. The garuntee you'll be excited to go back and see more!

You are in luck !<BR>Our departed friend, Ed, has done it for you--and much more. Spend 2 hours at www.twenj.net and enjoy. He was a legend !

My husband Walter and I enjoyed the cathedral ( Noter Dame?) and the wonderful art museums. Walter says that the Germans nearly destroyed the city during the war.<BR>Don't miss the palace and the bridge.

Bluecheese gave you a very good list. We also liked the Capitoline Museum on our first visit. Take comfortable shoes you'll need them. Marilyn

I'll add a couple things but won't repeat the same stuff. The Baths of Caracalla are awesome and the view from the Pincio at Piazza Popolo(sp?). I did the Pincio thing on a Sunday morning and I still remember the sound of all the church bells ringing. It was beautiful.

Don't miss the Spanish Steps, the Capitoline Musuem, the Forum and Colluseum, and the white Wedding Cake/Typewriter building. The Trevi fountain is a landmark for tourists, but really no big deal.

I noticed alot of people listed the Colluseum. Strangley, I was disappointed in it. I suspect because of how built up the surrounding area has become. <BR><BR>I agree the Vatican is a must. Also, St. Peter's and St. Peter's Square (especially at dusk), the three other cathedrals (St. Paul's, St. Mary's and St. John's), Piazza Navano(sp.), Vittorio Emmanuel (breathtaking to view) and various obelisks.<BR><BR>Remember to look up when you walk the streets. It is amazing the beauty of the architecture. You will find religious carving in many of the buildings. Spend time talking to the residents. I found them enchanting and very friendly.

We also enjoyed the Villa Borghese museum and a tour of the Catacombs.

Everything everyone else has mentioned is really great advice. One more very small thing to add - eat lots and lots of gelato! Gelato is the italian version of ice cream (but far better than ice cream) and everyone I know who has been to Italy raves about it (including us). It may sound trivial, but truly the food in Italy is wonderful and a cultural experience, and you should try to enjoy it as well as all of the wonderful sites. Of course, it doesn't compare to the Vatican or the Colleseum, but it's still a lot of fun! Enjoy your trip.

1. Roman Forum...includes the coliseum, take a free English speaking tour and then tip the guide, amazing history!<BR><BR>2. Pantheon...incredible 2000 year old architecture even if they did take all the marble to uild St. Peters<BR><BR>3. Trestavere...just wander<BR><BR>4. St. Peters...its awe some even if oyu're not a Catholic<BR><BR>5. Sistine chapel...enough said..and BTW, belive it or not the ceiling is flat!<BR><BR>6. Piazzas<BR><BR>7. Spanish Steps...no big deal, bu t you have to go<BR><BR>8. Trevi Fountain....better than spanish Steps<BR><BR>9.Mammertine Prison...where Paul and Peter wer imprisoned<BR><BR>10. Vatican Museuems...enough ancient art that if sold it could cure poverty (not a &quot;dug&quot; just a comment)<BR><BR>11. Pasa Gtato (sp)...evening stroll down the street in front of the Spanish steps<BR><BR>12. Borgehse Gardens and Museum<BR><BR>13. Any number of other beautiful churhces<BR><BR>14. Gelato and coffee in a nice outdoor cafe<BR><BR>15. ice glas of Brunelo Di Montalcino in a wine bar<BR><BR>Enjoy!<BR><BR>US

<BR>Mine, not in order necessarily, are<BR><BR>Forum and Colosseum (by guided tour, preferably)<BR>Vatican (by guided tour preferably)<BR>At least 5 small churches that interest you<BR>(Rome's churches contain many masterpieces of art)<BR>Borghese Gallery, especially if you like Bernini's sculpture<BR>Pantheon<BR>Diocletian's Baths, now a gorgeous church, Santa Maria Degli Angeli, designed by Michelangelo. <BR>Trevi Fountain