OK, we think that Rome is known to everybody, but… to summon it up for once and for all (and remain silent ever after): what is the perfect (touristic) two day itinerary for Rome?

First day:

• Take a trip to St Peters. If possible try to visit before 9 am as you will beat the crowds.
• The Vatican museum(s).  Allow a couple of hours in the museum(s). Try to buy ticket on line in advance.
• Castel Sant’Angelo and Ponte Sant’Angelo.  Hadrian built this impressive Mausoleum (consisting of a massive 89 m solid square base topped by a cylinder shape of 64 mtr in diameter and height of 20 mtr) for himself and his successors and constructed also the bridge  in 134 AC to link his Mausoleum to the city.
• Take a bus or taxi to Maxxi, one of Zaha  Hadid’s finest works to date, in Rome’s Flaminio district. Built as a museum, Maxxi consists in fact of five separate buildings leaning against one another, so designed to withstand an earthquake.
  
• Head afterwards to Piazza del Popolo. Look south and you will see the tridente, the three streets set between two similar 17th-century baroque churches. If you look from the opposite direction you will see that the three streets lead back to the same single point.
• If you want to shop walk into the area of one of these three streets and check out the shops. Don’t forget the famous Via del Corso.
• Enough of shopping then follow the signs or your (digital) map to the Trevi Fountain. Beware of pickpockets!
• Round the corner from the Trevi Fountain you will find the famous Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti, named after after the church that dominates the square from above or more common known as Spanish Steps at Piazza di Spagna.
• After a pretty hectic day you might fancy an ice cream, aperitivo or quiet meal. There are lots of ice cream parlours, bars and restaurants to choose from.

Second day:

• If you are staying in our Colosseum B & B or apartments it just takes a five minute walk to visit the Colosseum. Try to get a ticket in advance or book a guided tour to avoid the crowds.  Be aware of people dressed up as gladiators, they can  charge you over €10 for the privilege of making a picture together.
• Then head to the head to the entrance of the Forum on Via Sacra, where you can walk around the impressive ancient ruins. Before your trip try to find a copy of Vedute di Roma van Giambattista Piranesi, one of the famous artists who has given artistic expression to the sights of the Forum in the shape of 135 etchings. Many of these etchings show different parts of the Forum.
• Probably you will end up in Piazza Venezia, walk from there to the Pantheon, just in time for a coffee break in piazza Sant’ Eustachio’s number 82 Il Caffè, or Tazza dóro at  Via degli Orfani, 84 (Pantheon).
• Walk inside the Pantheon, the most complete ancient building in Rome and one of the city’s most spectacular destinations. The Pantheon was the largest concrete structure in the world (until the 20th century) and is still widely praised for its feats of architecture and concept of space. At 43m (142 ft) wide and 43m (142 ft) high, it is a perfect hemisphere of cast concrete resting on a solid cylinder wall.
• Go to the Piazza Navona or Campo di Fiori area. Both places are fantastic spots to stop for lunch or coffee. Just lay back, take a rest and do some people watching. By the way, the back-streets are also good for some vintage or alternative shopping.
• Sunset arriving, head back to the Colosseum to take some fantastic photographs.
• Spend the evening in Celio, Monti, Trastevere or Testaccio.

And above all, don’t forget to enjoy yourself while soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of wonderful Rome.