Rome is really crowded these days, with record numbers of visitors and a few new rules to manage it, like limited access times at the Trevi Fountain. Getting around is a bit easier now thanks to transport updates, but popular spots still have long lines.

Top places people go:
Colosseum, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain

Some simple tips:

• book tickets ahead of time
• go early in the morning or later in the evening
• wear good shoes, you’ll walk a lot
• staying outside the center can be quieter and cheaper

Watch your things in busy areas and skip restaurants right next to major sights.

Rome is still beautiful, just take it slow and don’t try to do everything in one trip.

Most of what you wrote now applies to every major European city. One used to be able to drop into a city and randomly sightsee. You can still arrive without plans/reservations, but you won't see as much.

The only thing I might disagree with: Staying outside the center isn't always cheaper. Much depends on public transportation costs and the definition of "outside."

Best advice: "... don't try to do everything in one trip."

I really hope OP participates in this latest discussion s/he started. But I will be honest, this reads as a blog post

Reads like a post written by AI

Looking at the OP's posting history . . . just move on. Lots of this sort of thing and others where she asks questions as though researching for a blog and not for any 'real' trip. And has never once that I can find return to any of the ten threads she's started. Just a gadfly -- she's had lots of responses from helpful Fodorites but apparently hasn't read any of them. (bella - prove us wrong)

Bella is also planning a trip to Thailand. What a globe trotter.

I wonder how Monaco, London, and Peru worked out, too.

And Romania.