As the oft repeated line mourns, "...the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome." Rome, the cradle of modern civilization, the site of one of history's greatest empires, and the sometimes chaotic capital of a major modern European country, is most certainly grand. The massive scale of its ancient monuments, the museums without parallels, and the incredible daily energy of millions of Italians playing their part on the daily stage will simultaneously awe and threaten to overwhelm the visitor.

It would require weeks to visit the many ancient historical sites of Rome, although two of the most famous are the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. The Roman Forum, ancient Rome's commercial, political, and religious nexus, sits on a valley between the Capitoline and Palatine Hills. The Colosseum, the most famous and recognizable of Rome's landmarks, could seat 80,000 people and was the site of bloody gladiatorial and animal combat.

The innumerable restaurants of excellent quality make Rome a delight when it comes to mealtimes. Pasta dishes are always a great choice and come in many varieties, sometimes hollow, sometimes folded, other times well textured, and quite frequently with some sort of meat included. Vegetarians may have a tough time here, and should be careful to make it clear what they are ordering. Pizzerias, of course, are also everywhere--one of the best known and most recommended is Pizzeria da Baffetto.

Your shopping experience here will depend greatly on your tastes and budget. If you enjoy window shopping or if you are willing to part with huge sums of money for designer clothing, try the shops in Via Condotti and the streets near it in the area of the Spanish Steps. For some bargain shopping and a visual spectacle, be sure to visit the city's famous Porta Portese market, open every Sunday morning.