First gelato, first cobblestones
Baroque square with three fountains — Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers at center. Street artists, cafés, gelato stands. The living room of Rome.
The world's most famous fountain. Toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand — legend says you'll return to Rome. Emily will empty her pockets.
Free entry. 1,900-year-old unreinforced concrete dome — still the world's largest. The oculus (open hole at top) lets in rain and light. Stephanie's jaw will drop.
Rome's best food neighborhood. Winding cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, trattorias on every corner. Go here for dinner on night one.
Lit up at night, the Colosseum is haunting and magnificent. Just walk past it — save the interior for tomorrow.
Rome's main train station. Leonardo Express arrives here. Metro, buses, taxis all connect. Luggage storage available.
You step off the Leonardo Express at Roma Termini and Rome hits you — the noise, the Vespas, the smell of espresso and diesel and something baking. This is not a quiet arrival. Ricki will immediately comment on the traffic. Maritza will immediately comment on Ricki. Laura will already have the hotel route loaded on Google Maps. The kids will want gelato before the taxi door closes.
This is an arrival day — no forced marches. Drop the bags, find gelato, and walk. The Pantheon is free and open late. Trevi Fountain glows at night. Trastevere has the best dinner in Rome. Let the jet lag do its thing while Rome does its thing around you.
Near Piazza Navona or Pantheon
Central location is essential — walking distance to major sights. Budget €200–400/night for 2–3 rooms.
The Pantheon dome is unreinforced concrete — no rebar, no steel — poured in 125 AD and still standing. The secret is volcanic ash in the mix and the dome getting thinner toward the top.
Trevi Fountain coin toss! One coin = return to Rome, two = fall in love, three = get married. She'll throw a handful and cover all bases.
Flat walking near Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Trastevere has some hills but nothing steep. Take a taxi back to the hotel — Roman taxis are plentiful after dinner.